Community Art Program 

Learn more about our Community Art Program, by reading through these Artwork guidelines, artwork design criteria, and funding model. Next, browse our artwork site locations to find one in your area that sparks your creativity. You might like to check out the site in person to get a feel of the area and envision the canvas you might be working on.  

Stage 2:

Please reach out to us by using our Expression of Interest form (EOI) if a specific artwork site captures your interest. This is just a first step to express interest in undertaking an artwork project. At this stage, we do not require all the details or funding for the project to be confirmed, but any initial information about the artist's experience, proposed artwork, preliminary project costings and quotes, and potential funding sources will help to support your EOI application.

Stage 3: 

After we receive your EOI we will contact you to talk through your artwork project. This is an opportunity to share additional information and ideas, and arrange an artwork site visit, if required. 

Stage 4:

Your application will be formally reviewed and assessed, based on our Assessment Criteria, by a Unitywater committee (Art Working Group). If your EOI is approved, this is a green light to move to the next stage and we will work with you to progress plans for the project.

At this stage, there is still no guarantee that the project or Unitywater funding will proceed. 

Stage 5: 

We will email you if your EOI is successful to confirm that your application has been formally accepted and we will outline the next steps. This includes time for the artist and/or community groups to cost out their artwork project and seek additional funding (if required), and to provide Unitywater with the following:

• project budget (including a detailed breakdown of expenditure and funding sources)
• project plan and timeline
• quotes
• proposed artwork format and dimensions (for the purpose of confirming the amount of Unitywater funding available for the project)
• artist details and portfolio
• artwork materials to be used, including anti-graffiti sealant/protection
• safety and risk assessment (undertaken in consultation with Unitywater)
• safety and insurance documentation, e.g. Certificate of Currency for Public Liability Insurance
• written confirmation that additional funding (if required) has been approved and received.

Stage 6:

Our Art Working Group will now review your budget, project plan, timelines, quotes, and other documents listed above to approve the project to proceed, or request any necessary revisions to these plans before we move to a formal agreement. 

Stage 7:

Artwork Agreement: We will negotiate and sign a formal Artwork Agreement, which will cover all the terms and conditions of the artwork funding, delivery and maintenance for the life of the agreement. 

Unitywater Funding: Once the Artwork Agreement is signed by all parties, as a delivery partner you can invoice Unitywater for the approved amount of funding, as outlined in the Artwork Agreement. 

Stage 8:

Now, as a delivery partner, you will be empowered to design and deliver your project, which includes the artist creating a minimum of two concept designs for the proposed artwork and undertaking community engagement on these designs (if required), before submitting this for final approval to the Unitywater Art Working Group. The Art Working Group will also oversee the project and provide any expert advice, support and final decision-making that is required along the way. Unitywater will promote the project and artwork design through its social media and communication channels, as outlined in the Artwork Agreement.

Below are the key dates for submitting EOI applications, securing funding and commencing artwork projects in the 2024-25 financial year.

Unitywater may elect to open subsequent rounds of EOI applications later in the 2024-25 financial year, if funding is still available.

All funding associated with these EOI applications (from Unitywater or other sources) must be approved and received by the community group and/or artists, and the artwork project must have commenced by 30 June 2025.

• Artwork delivery partners (artists and community groups) must come from Unitywater's service region (City of Moreton Bay, Noosa and Sunshine Coast council areas).
• Preference is given to professional and emerging local artists who have experience in creating outdoor public artwork, and either undertake the artwork project themselves, or are commissioned or under the auspice of a local community group to do so. 
• The artwork must support the goals of our Strategic Ambition and align with our strategic theme of healthy and thriving communities:

• Water and the natural environment
• Enjoyment of water
• Local native flora and fauna
• Local history, scenery and landscapes
• First Nations culture and heritage

• The artwork must provide significant benefit to the community or local area.

• The artwork must enhance the infrastructure and be clearly visible to the community.

• The artwork must not cause a distraction or safety risk to road-users.

• Unitywater must be able to provide safe access to the infrastructure for the delivery partner.

• Delivery partners must have the necessary Safety and Insurance Requirements.

• The project must include an agreed provision for maintenance of the artwork for an agreed period.

Unitywater’s Community Art Program aims to support the careers of emerging and professional local artists, and the development of high-quality artwork that is durable, long-lasting and has anti-graffiti protection.

It also acknowledges that infrastructure assets differ in size, design and construction materials, which means many of the proposed artwork projects will also differ in size and complexity, depending on the nature of the asset.

Therefore, Unitywater’s funding model is based on providing a contribution towards the artist’s concept fees, labour, quality paints and anti-graffiti sealant for mural/painted artwork, based on a square meter rate, depending on the size of the artwork proposed. 

This funding for mural/painted artwork is capped at $10,000 per artwork project/asset.

Other types of artworks, such as installations or wraps, are also encouraged. Unitywater’s funding support for these types of artworks will be negotiated on a case-by-case basis and is capped at $10,000 per artwork project/asset.

Unitywater has a limited amount of funding available in each financial year, and will award applicants based on the merit and the funding model described above. Acceptance of the initial EOI application by Unitywater is no guarantee that Unitywater funding or the project will proceed.

Any additional funding required to cover the full costs of the artwork project must be secured by the delivery partner (artist and/or community group), within an agreed timeline, as outlined in the Artwork Agreement. This must cover all costs associated with delivering and maintaining the artwork, which may include but is not limited to:

• Project planning costs
• Council permit costs (if required)
• Community engagement costs (if required)
• Commissioning artwork
• Artist costs (researching, selecting and commissioning of the artist)
• Safety and security equipment (such as signage, scaffolding, fencing, etc, if required)
• Traffic management (if required)
• Offsite storage costs (if required)
• Pre- and post-preparation work and materials (e.g. anti-graffiti coating).
• Artwork materials (brushes, paints, cleaning materials, etc)
• Maintenance costs (if specified in the Artwork Agreement).

Additional funding may be available through local, state and federal government and other philanthropic associations and organisations, such as the Sunshine Coast Arts Foundation, the Regional Arts Development Fund, Queensland Government Arts, Culture and Heritage (Funding, grants and sponsorship), Arts Queensland Creative Together 2020-2030.

Any artwork project undertaken by an artist and/or community groups requires an Artwork Agreement to be signed by Unitywater and the delivery partner/s. This may take the form of a Deed of Licence agreement for a specified period (e.g. up to five years) or any other formal agreement type at Unitywater's discretion.

Artwork Agreements will be negotiated between Unitywater and the delivery partner/s on a case-by-case basis, and will specify all the contractual terms and conditions of the artwork project and the ongoing life of the artwork, which may include but is not limited to:

• the timeframe of the agreement, based on the expected reasonable lifespan of the artwork (e.g. up to five years)
• roles and responsibilities of each party
• artwork project delivery details and timelines
• fees and budget
• confirmed funding sources (including Unitywater funding and additional funding, if required)
• responsibility for, definition and scope of community engagement
• risk assessment and management
• responsibility for compliance with WHS principles
• certification requirements
• public liability and other insurance responsibilities
• development and planning approvals
• installation and de-installation processes
• maintenance requirements and responsibilities
• review process in which Unitywater can accept or reject the work (on reasonable grounds) or request changes to the artwork to ensure compliance these Community Artwork Guidelines.
• confirmation of Intellectual property (IP) and copyright ownership by the artist and confirmation of any agreements about joint copyright ownership
• agreement in relation to Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP) when the contract is with a First Nations artist, or includes ICIP agreement in relation to any licences to use the copyright, including for promotional purposes
• process for variations to the artwork project
• rights and responsibilities regarding the removal of the artwork and/or asset
• process for conflict resolution

The delivery partner will submit a minimum of two artwork design options for approval by the Art Working Group. Unitywater must approve all final artwork designs.

Artwork design must have acceptance from the wider community and preference will be given to local professional and emerging artists from within the Unitywater service region.

Unitywater will provide a site induction and safe access to the site. For large infrastructure such as water towers, water storage tanks and pump stations, any telecommunications antenna will need to be shut down during artwork installation.

The delivery partner/artist will be responsible for creating or installing, and for maintaining and repairing the artwork if it is damaged or defaced in any way (e.g. graffiti), as agreed and outlined in the Artwork Agreement.

Artwork materials used must be compatible to the infrastructure surface and any surface coatings in place cannot be removed.

The artwork must be durable and have a minimum 5-year lifespan. Unitywater must approve all pre- and post-preparation plans and artwork materials, such as paint type, to ensure it is suitable.

All mural or painted artwork must have a specified anti-graffiti sealant applied (minimum of 2-3 coats) that is approved by Unitywater.

The artwork must not:

• contain any advertising or marketing content
• contain logos, images and material subject to a trademark, copyright or similar registration
• be deemed offensive to the community (such as containing inappropriate language including tags, being violent, threatening or aggressive in tone).

Unitywater reserves the right remove any artwork from its infrastructure, and to upgrade or demolish artwork assets at any time.

Unitywater will determine if community engagement is required for each artwork project on a case-by-case basis.

If required, Unitywater will work with artwork delivery partners (artists and/or community groups) to develop a Community Engagement Plan (CEP) to ensure that there is sufficient communication and collaboration with the local community. This will help ensure a high level of community satisfaction and acceptance of the artwork.

The CEP will be reviewed and approved by the Unitywater Stakeholder Engagement team, and a representative will oversee or manage this engagement in collaboration with the delivery partners/s.

Engagement activities may include consulting with local residents, community groups and council representatives about the design and commissioning of the artwork via a variety of engagement methods such as online engagement platforms, social media, one-on-one information sessions and briefing sessions.

Anyone accessing the asset site must undertake a site risk assessment and safety induction, which will be provided by Unitywater.

The successful applicant must also have the necessary insurance and safety compliance requirements including, but not limited to:

• Public Liability Insurance
• Workplace Health and Safety Certificate
• Working at Heights Certificate (if required)
• Risk Management Plan

The exact requirements will be discussed and agreed with delivery partner/s, and specified in the Artwork Agreement

Successful delivery partner/s must agree to work collaboratively with Unitywater to promote the artwork in Unitywater’s and their own channels, including but not limited to social media, website, media releases, media calls and community events. This will be outlined in the Artwork Agreement.

An evaluation is to be completed at the conclusion of the artwork to ensure:

• All agreed activities occurred as per the plan
• The procedure has been followed and all stakeholders engaged satisfactorily

We know that how we collect, use, exchange and protect your information is important to you, and we value your trust.

Our Privacy Policy outlines how we manage your information, in accordance with both the Information Privacy Act 2009 (Qld) and the Information Privacy Principles.

In submitting an EOI artwork application, you agree to Unitywater collecting your personal information, including your name, contact details and role in your organisation, to assess your application and for the purpose of our community artwork program. If you do not provide this information, we cannot assess your application.