Newcastle Ocean Baths
The Newcastle Ocean Baths and coastline hold deep cultural, historical, and spiritual significance for the Awabakal people and remain a cherished part of Newcastle’s identity.
Celebrating culture and connecting with Country
Newcastle is a creative city with vibrant public places for bringing people together.
We're inviting Aboriginal artists to create public artworks that celebrate Country, community and culture.
Artworks will be created for iconic cultural sites including the Newcastle Ocean Baths, Bathers Way - King Edward Park, Union Street – Wickham, and Market Street in the East End.
Through murals, sculptures, pavement design, street furniture, walking trails and more, the broader community will be able to connect with Country and learn about our rich cultural heritage.
We know that public art is best delivered through collaboration, equal opportunity and transparent processes. We are working closely with representatives of local Aboriginal communities to identify key themes, stories and cultural perspectives that will guide the artworks.
Aboriginal artists at all stages of their career were able to apply through an inclusive expressions of interest process. Mentorship and professional development opportunities may be provided for artists early in their careers.
Selected artists will work alongside Traditional Custodians and Knowledge Holders to ensure artworks are meaningful, reflective and honour the heritage and stories of local Aboriginal communities.
This approach to collaborating with First Nations communities and artists has been guided by best practice principles, including the National Association of Visual Arts (NAVA) guidelines and the Connecting with Country Framework.
Where will the artworks be located?
Scroll across to learn more about the project locations.
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Bathers Way - King Edward Park
King Edward Park holds enormous significance to Newcastle with its sweeping ocean views, much-loved gardens, and importance to Newcastle’s Traditional Custodians.
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Union Street - Wickham
The upgrade of Union Street will transform it into an inviting gateway to the heart of the precinct, celebrating Wickham’s distinctive character and identity.
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Market Street - East End
The long-term vision for the East End Village is to reinstate Hunter Street as a traditional high street and an attractive destination for locals and visitors, with outdoor dining and boutique retail opportunities.
We invited Aboriginal persons who have an interest in, or hold cultural knowledge of local Newcastle sites to support the development of Aboriginal public artworks.
Artists were able to register their expression of interest from 10 February to 10 March 2026. Expressions of interest have now closed.
Thank you to all artists who participated!
All expressions of interest from artists have been reviewed. Suitable artists have been added to a longlist and may be contacted about any relevant future opportunities.
As public domain upgrades are delivered for each project location, artist briefs will be developed for each artwork opportunity. The artist briefs developed in collaboration with the representative core group will include detailed information about the location, scale, size, medium, deliverables and timeline for each artwork.
Shortlisted artists will be invited to prepare a concept design for a fee.
The successful artist will then work with members of the local Aboriginal community and City of Newcastle to progress the design, fabrication, installation and maintenance.
Learn more about the process
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EOI: Traditional Custodians and Knowledge Holders
We invited Aboriginal persons who have an interest in, or hold cultural knowledge of local Newcastle sites to support the development of Aboriginal public artworks.
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Artist EOI
We invited expressions of interest from Aboriginal artists to develop public artworks. There are opportunities for artists at all stages of their career, including mentoring and professional development.
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Aboriginal Engagement (current stage)
We'll engage with representatives from local Aboriginal communities to ensure the artworks are meaningful, reflective and honour the heritage and stories of local Aboriginal peoples.
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Concept design
We'll invite shortlisted artists to prepare a concept design for the project specific public artworks. Each artist will receive a fee.
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Artwork commissioning
Successful artists will work with members of the Aboriginal Representative Core Group to further develop the artworks.
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Detailed design and installation
Artists will work with City of Newcastle project teams to progress the design, fabrication and installation.
