Call for First Nations Digital Artist

Published on Monday, 4 August 2025 at 3:02:47 PM

Issued by:                            Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation Jane Mitchell communications@ymac.org.au ymac.org.au

 

EOI Closing Date:              5pm, Friday 15 August 2025

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1.    Overview

The Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation (YMAC) is now accepting Expressions of Interest (EOI) from artists to create an original piece of artwork for our 2026-2030 Strategic Plan.

YMAC is the Native Title Representative Body (NTRB), delivering native title and other services across the Pilbara, Mid-West, Murchison and Gascoyne regions of Western Australia. YMAC is run by a First Nations board of directors, representing several native title groups, each of whom have their own language, culture, traditions, and protocols. YMAC services include native title claim and future act representation; heritage services; executive office, community, and economic development assistance; land administration, and natural resource management support.

We are seeking to commission a visionary First Nations digital artist to create an original artwork to draw attention to our 2026-2030 Strategic Plan — a dynamic document that will guide our corporation’s services and impact over the next several years. This is an opportunity to integrate creativity with strategy, where your art will not only complement the plan visually, but also help communicate its aspirations, and community-driven goals.

While the detail on YMAC’s new strategic plan is still being finalised, four distinct themes – or ‘pillars’ - have emerged through our consultation and planning to date:

  1. Recognition, Rights, and Responsibility
  2. Advocacy and Reform
  3. Sustainability and Resilience
  4. Diversification and Growth

2.    Project Objectives

At the heart of YMAC’s work is Country:

Country is our mother, our provider, and the keeper of our cultural belongings.

Culture and Country go together.

You can’t have one without the other.

Our 2026–2030 Strategic Plan will guide how YMAC continues to honour both Country and Culture, delivering native title and complementary services that strengthen foundations and build a strong future for the First Nations people and organisations we support.

As part of this journey, we seek to commission a First Nations artist to create a digital artwork that will visually enhance and embody the spirit of our work. The selected artist will design a central artwork that powerfully reflects Country and Culture in the Yamatji and Pilbara regions of Western Australia.

3.    Project Details

 

Budget: $5,000 (plus GST)

Artwork Type: Digital artwork – designed so that it can be used as one singular piece, but

also as separate elements, offering flexibility in communication and branding.

Format: Final artwork must be delivered as a vector file (AI, EPS, or PDF), set up in CMYK colour mode with output specifications suitable for high-quality printing at 300 DPI.

Timeline:

  • EOI submission deadline: Friday 15 August 2025
  • Shortlisted artist(s) notified: Friday 22 August 2025
  • Final selection: Friday 29 August
  • Artwork delivery: Friday 3 October 2025

 

Usage:

In the first instance, the commissioned artwork will be utilised to reflect and visually enhance messages within YMAC’s new Strategic Plan.

The commissioned artwork will also be used across other formats/platforms — including information and signage materials produced in relation to the plan; digital media; and merchandise — with YMAC holding the licensing rights to use the artwork and associated icons through to the end of 2030).

A Licensing Agreement will be provided by YMAC to the successful artist, that will cover use of the artwork for the period from 3 October 2025 until 31 December 2030.

4.    Eligibility

  • Open to all Pilbara and Yamatji First Nations (You do not need to be residing on- Country.)
  • Must have skills and experience in digital art, graphic design or related
  • Designs must be original and authentic works of the
  • Artists need to demonstrate the ability to produce work that meets the technical requirements of the project, including digital file preparation and potential for translation to other formats.
  • Artists need to demonstrate the capacity to deliver the commissioned work by the specified deadline.
  • Willingness and ability to work collaboratively with project stakeholders, including a graphic designer and Communications team staff in finalising the artwork.
  • Emerging artists may apply

5.    Submission Requirements

Please include the following in your EOI submission:

 

  1. Initial Concept – A sample of your artwork concept, with short description or sketch
  2. Artist Statement – Outline your practice and interest in this project (max 150 words)
  3. CV or Biography – Relevant experience (max 2 pages)
  4. Portfolio – 2-3 images of past works, with descriptions
  5. Contact Details – Your name, email, phone, website
  6. ABN, GST status exemption
  7. Copy of current Artist Liability Insurance certificate*

     *If the artist selected for this commission does not currently have liability insurance, YMAC will discuss requirements and can support this to be secure for us to 12-month period, to the value of no more than $500.

    6.    Selection Criteria

    Submissions will be assessed based on:

    • Artistic merit and
    • Relevance to project purpose and
    • Feasibility within budget and
    • Demonstrated experience and

     

    Upon selection of the successful artist, YMAC will:

     

    1. Issue a contract, that will include:
      • Digital artwork format requirements
      • Payment schedule - payment will include an initial fee, of $1000, with remaining $4,000 at completion and delivery of final artwork files
      • Licensing arrangements
      1. Arrange a meeting (online or in person) with the artist to discuss the project, to ensure the final artwork will meet graphic design requirements.

      7.    How to Submit

      Email your submission as a single PDF to: communications@ymac.org.au

      Subject Line: EOI – [insert Artist Name] – YMAC Strategic Plan Digital Artwork By: Close of Business, Friday 15 August 2025

      8.    Enquiries

      All enquiries can be directed to: YMAC Communications Team: Email: communications@ymac.org.au

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