Seeking to commission original poster art from NSW artists

Summary

The Tenants’ Union of NSW is looking for original poster illustration art from 3 NSW artists. This poster art will promote recent law reforms and free legal help available. The commission paid per artwork will be $500. The artwork will be unveiled at a celebration of decades of housing advocacy and activism in Parramatta, featuring an exhibition of our collection of tenancy posters from the 1970s until today. 

Timeframe

This project has a quick turnaround. Applications open on 14 August 2024, and are via the Expression of Interest form below. Please submit your application as soon as possible. Applications close at 5:00pm on 26 August. We will contact successful applicants by 30 August and give you a further brief. Artworks need to be supplied to us by 4 October 2024. 

Who we are

The Tenants’ Union of NSW is a non-for-profit charitable organisation. We are a community legal centre dedicated to helping renters and provide free legal information and education. We provide back-up legal advice for a network of Tenants Advice and Advocacy Services throughout NSW. We also campaign for law reform to help tenants, boarders, lodgers and residential land lease community members.

The project

After decades of fighting and campaigning, we have finally won the end of no grounds evictions. This means that landlords will soon need a good reason to evict tenants from their homes. Other reforms are also expected to enable tenants to lead more dignified lives. We want to celebrate this victory, let people know that their rights are changing and tell people where they can access free local tenancy advice.

Looking back on the struggle for improved tenancy rights, one group of artefacts stands out - campaign poster art. We have a collection of around 40 posters from the 1970s until now. We plan to exhibit these posters to honour the activism of the past and to inspire the new generation of tenants advocates and housing activists. Following the exhibition, we will use new poster art to get the word out about the legal changes.

If your application is successful, we will meet with you and provide a brief, and supply you with simple text and logos to be included in the work. Posters will be on one of the following three topics:

• The end of ‘no grounds’ evictions
• Pets in rental properties
• Free legal help available (NSW Tenant Advice and Advocacy Services)

What we are looking for

We are looking for stand-out creative works that are based around original artistic processes, such as illustration. Use of digital or traditional artistic methods are both welcome, but it is important to stress that we do not want artists to use “AI” or pre-made digital content platforms to create the artworks. We would like the posters to encapsulate the work we do helping tenants in diverse communities throughout NSW.

The artwork will be displayed publicly, in both printed and digital forms. The art you create will need to work well as a poster on the street. We may also negotiate making alterations to your artwork, such as adding/changing text or using elements of the poster separately if needed (e.g. for resizing, legibility, use on different social media platforms, or legal accuracy). We will discuss this further with successful applicants during the briefing process. 

The poster may be included on promotional (non-commercial) resources including printed and digital publications, social media, our website and potentially clothing. If we wish to use your artwork in a commercial application (eg on merchandise that we sell or otherwise monetise) we will approach you separately to negotiate its use. 

All artwork will be properly credited.You may include a small signature or artist's mark if you would like. You can also choose to remain anonymous or utilise a pseudonym for publication. 

Eligibility

1. The artist must live in NSW.
2. The artist must not be a landlord or practising real estate agent. 
3. The design/illustration and concept must be the original work of the artist submitting the design.
4. We will supply certain text or elements that need to be included in your design.
5. Participants are required to submit their ABN if possible, or a statement by a supplier not quoting an ABN, as part of the engagement.
6. The commission paid per artwork will be $500. 
7. Final artwork must be submitted on or before 4 October 2024.

Successful applications

1. The successful applicants selected to be the most appropriate entries by the Tenants’ Union of NSW will be eligible to receive the commission (GST inclusive), upon delivery of the final artwork.
2. Successful applicants will be notified on 30 August, and an announcement about the successful artists will be shared on Tenants’ Union social media (including artist tags or links to websites if provided by artists).
3. Successful artists will be provided with a simple brief and will be able to meet with Tenants’ Union staff for guidance.
4. Successful artists will need to provide a short statement describing the artwork along with the illustrated poster art.
5. The successful artist must be able to deliver either a physical or high quality digital version of their artwork to the Tenants’ Union by 5pm on 4 October.
6. Payment will be provided within 2 weeks of receiving the final artwork and your bank account details.

Application process

1. To be considered for this project, please complete the Expression of Interest form below.
2. The available commission for each artwork is $500.
3. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists are encouraged to apply.
4. Current renters will be considered favourably.
5. Individual and collaborative works will be accepted. 
6. Applications close on 26 August at 5pm.