Reconciliation Action Plan Artwork

The City of Adelaide is proud of, and values the oldest continuing culture in the world, the Aboriginal people. In 1997, the council was among the first councils in Australia to sign a Reconciliation Statement. In 2012, the then Lord Mayor Stephen Yarwood, and Yvonne Agius, Reconciliation Committee Chairs, signed a Reconciliation Vision Statement and later a National Sorry Day acknowledgement. Both these documents are displayed in the Council Chambers, and in Mankurri-api Kuu / Reconciliation Room in the Town Hall, as a symbol of council’s ongoing commitment to Reconciliation. 

The City of Adelaide embarked on a journey of Reconciliation with local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in 1997. In May 2008, Council adopted its first Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), which provided a framework for the inaugural implementation of Council’s Reconciliation Vision Statement and National Sorry Day Acknowledgement to earmark our journey. The City of Adelaide has had a long standing, positive working relationship with the Kaurna community as the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the Adelaide Plains, on which the city is located and Council continue to work closely with the Kaurna Yerta Aboriginal Corporation as the peak body of cultural authority throughout the RAP development process. The City of Adelaide Reconciliation Committee has been established to oversee Reconciliation activity and the implementation of the next document. 

Reconciliation Actions Plans (RAPs) capture clear and measurable targets for delivery of meaningful reconciliation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. While there is still more to do, we are excited to reflect on the past 13 years of RAPs and are looking forward to our ongoing progressive journey with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. The City of Adelaide will begin the development of the next RAP which includes the design of a new artwork. 

The Language Snake artwork has been associated with Reconciliation at the City of Adelaide for the last six years and features on the current Stretch RAP 2021-2024, The proposed artwork commission will supersede the Language Snake as the representation and visual branding of reconciliation at the City of Adelaide.

The commissioned artwork will feature as the cover imagery for the printed and digital RAP document. Selected elements of the artwork will be used across corporate documentation, in PowerPoint presentations, on the Council website, social media and signage within Council Facilities.

The artwork featured will be by a First Nations identifying artist with profile and peer recognition.

The artwork should include themes of cultural and historical significance to the City of Adelaide and provide a visual representation that reflects the City of Adelaide’s formal commitment to Reconciliation. Key themes for consideration include:

• Reconciliation – Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Australians in the City of Adelaide.
• Kaurna Native Title Determination – traditional owners
• Geographical city landscape
• Aboriginal history in Adelaide City Council area
• Aboriginal sites of significance to the Adelaide area
• Karrawirra Parri
• Tarntanyangga – Red Kangaroo story
• Pirltawardli – Park 1

• Use of fire – CoA cultural burn for land management
• Spirituality/healing
• Truth telling
• Song lines
• The artwork may consider inclusion of the CoA colour palette and the ability of the artwork to engage the wider community.
• Artworks need to be appropriate for all ages and demographics and must avoid controversial, religious or political topics and subject matters.

• The artist will be South Australian
• The artist or design team will be First Nations identifying/led.
• The artist has prior experience and can present a compelling portfolio with their Expression of Interest (EOI)
• Ability to demonstrate cultural knowledge relevant for South Australia or the ability to engage with an Aboriginal artist who can provide the cultural expertise.

The final artwork will be a new design of a physical two-dimensional painting or high-resolution digital image, of at least 600 dpi, with the additional consideration of the CoA colour palette.

The artist will provide a statement / story that describes the artwork and how it represents the vision. Please include any special cultural conditions or restrictions relating to the artwork or its use.

The artwork will be reproduced digitally and used on resources related to CoAs RAP branding:

• The chosen artwork will remain the property of the City of Adelaide.
• The artwork commission includes the grant of non-exclusive license to CoA for non-commercial purposes.
• On completion of the commission and finalisation of payments Council will be granted an ongoing perpetual license.

The maximum available budget is $7,000 excluding GST.

The fee for the artwork will cover:

• The design and production of the agreed high-resolution (minimum 600 dpi) artwork, including any supplies and/or production costs
• Use of the artist’s supplied biography (including the artist’s connection to a South Australian Aboriginal or Torres Strait Island community)
• Use of the artist’s supplied explanation or story outlining how the artwork represents the spirit of reconciliation throughout the City of Adelaide
• An initial briefing and regular progress meetings with the City of Adelaide
• A final meeting to discuss how to extract key elements from the artwork to maintain their meaning
• All future use and publication (in full or in extract) of the artwork by the City of Adelaide publications and associated materials
• Opportunity for media including, but not limited to, interviews and photo shoot

Applications for Expressions of Interest have now closed.