Call for Expressions of Interest - Homes Victoria First Nations Artwork Commission

For First Peoples, home holds deep spiritual, cultural and communal meaning — grounded in connection to Country, kinship, language and identity. Yet for many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Victoria, the experience of home has been shaped by dispossession and exclusion, with lasting impacts on access to safe, secure and culturally appropriate housing.

Homes Victoria is seeking to commission a powerful new artwork that reflects the enduring significance of ‘home’ from a First Peoples’ perspective. Expressions of interest are invited from First Nations artists belonging to language groups within the boundaries of Victoria. Artists may live on or off Country but must hold a strong cultural connection to Country and Community.

The commissioned piece will become a central part of Homes Victoria’s visual identity — communicating that home is more than a building. It is connection to Country, Culture, kin and Community. Your work will help challenge mainstream ideas of ‘home’ and honour the voices and stories of First Peoples connected to these lands.

About Homes Victoria

Homes Victoria delivers housing solutions to those in greatest need, managing $26 billion in housing assets and housing over 116,000 Victorians. We lead the Big Housing Build, the largest investment in public and community housing in the state’s history.

We are committed to truth-telling, cultural respect and representation, especially in addressing housing injustices experienced by First Peoples. This commission reflects our commitment to embedding First Nations stories in the heart of our identity.

About the Artwork Commission

This commission invites an original, culturally rich artwork that explores the question: What does ‘home’ mean to First Nations Peoples? The work should move beyond physical space to express deeper themes of Culture, Community, Connection, Kinship, belonging, identity, and cultural continuity. 

Artists are encouraged to reflect on:

• Home as connection – to Country, ancestors, language, waterways and sky
• Home as Community – kinship, shared responsibility, safe spaces
• Home as Culture – where Culture is lived, protected and passed on
• Home as healing – addressing intergenerational trauma and restoring belonging
• Home as story – grounded in truth-telling, legacy and the future

The selected artist will also provide a short written narrative describing the story, significance, and community or personal context behind the piece. This is an opportunity to shape public understanding of home through a First Peoples’ lens — creating space for truth-telling and cultural expression through visual storytelling.

Artwork Materials and Process
Proposals are welcome in any medium — including digital, painting, drawing, textile, sculpture or mixed media. The final artwork will be professionally digitised and vectorised for use across multiple platforms.

The commission will run over four weeks and include:

• A kick-off meeting
• Two concept review stages with feedback and revisions
• Four weekly milestone meetings
• A final session with the artist, client, and Little Rocket to finalise the style guide

Budget: The fee for artwork creation, materials, and time is $5,000.

Licensing and Use
The commissioned artwork will be used across Homes Victoria’s digital platforms, publications, campaigns, reports, environmental graphics, and cultural awareness materials. It will help communicate First Nations perspectives and reinforce values of cultural safety, respect, and representation.

Budget: A licensing fee of $10,000 will be paid to the selected artist limited use for 10 years.

Commission and Collaboration

Little Rocket, a First Nations owned and operated creative agency, will manage digitisation, create a style guide (including usage guidelines, colour references, and cultural protocols), and develop modular elements for flexible design use. The selected artist will be supported by Little Rocket throughout the project – from development of the style and cultural safety guides to assistance with file preparation. Your artistic intention and control over how your work is used will be respected at every stage.

EOI Submission Requirements

Eligibility

Submissions are open to First Nations artists identifying and belonging to language groups within the modern day boundaries of Victoria. Applicants must be aged 18 years or older. We warmly welcome both emerging and established First Nations artists to apply, fostering a diverse and inclusive artistic community.

How to Apply 

Applications open 12 May 2025 at 9:00 AM AEST and must be submitted via the Little Rocket website EOI Submission Form. Please ensure that you prepare and include the following in your application or it will not be accepted:

1. Artist's statement (up to 500 words).
2. Artist portfolio showcasing previous work and links to relevant work.
3. In lieu of a portfolio, you may provide relevant examples of previous work, such as photos or images (no larger than 2 MB and 300 DPI per image).
4. Include links to websites, social media, and online portfolios showcasing your work.

Artwork Concept Proposal

Provide a brief and concise written concept proposal/story for the artwork (not exceeding 500 words), addressing the artwork theme and specifying the artistic medium and techniques to be used. Visual representations are welcomed to support the concept, but are not mandatory and will not impact your application.

Timeline

Please provide an estimated timeline for the production of the artwork. Note that the artwork must be feasible and produced within a 4-week timeframe. Ensure your concept is feasible within this timeframe; any submission that does not provide an estimated timeline for completion within the 4-week turnaround time will not be considered.

Deadline

Applications close 12 June 2025 at 11:59 PM AEST and must be submitted before the deadline. Applications that are received after the deadline will not be considered.

Submit your EOI Application

To submit your application, please use the link below. We encourage all interested artists to apply and showcase their creativity. Don't miss this opportunity—start your application now!

Artist Selection Process

All EOIs will be reviewed for eligibility and cultural alignment. Shortlisted applicants will be assessed based on:

• Concept

• Story and cultural relevance

• Technical skill

• Artistic approach

• Availability

The selection panel, consisting of First Nations advisors, Homes Victoria, and Little Rocket, will ensure a fair, culturally informed decision. The panel will assess shortlisted applications based on a criteria matrix covering project goals, cultural impact, creativity, theme alignment, budget, and feasibility.

The final selected artist for each site will be notified on 18 June 2025.

Contact Us and FAQ

For any questions about the EOI submission or further information, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the Little Rocket Arts Team on (03) 9014 7735 or email us at info@littlerocket.com.au. We’re happy to assist with any inquiries regarding the application process or project details.


Big Dreaming!

Key Dates