Expression of Interest: Tamworth Mental Health Unit, Art Project

Arts North West has partnered with Health Infrastructure & Hunter New England Local Health District to deliver the Tamworth Mental Health Unit, Art Project. Health Infrastructure on behalf of Hunter New England Local Health District are seeking interest from artists to propose existing artworks that will inspire and comfort patients, visitors and staff in clinical spaces of the new Tamworth Mental Health Unit (TMHU).

Opening Date: Friday 17 January 2025
Closing Date: Thursday 14 February 2025
Closing Time: 5.00pm (AEST)

COMPLETE YOUR EOI TODAY >>>

Images from the Blacktown Mental Health Project - Courtesy of Health Infrastructure

Selection process:

  1. Complete the entry form, making sure you respond to all sections.

  2. EOIs will be reviewed by a Selection Panel comprising representatives of Health Infrastructure and Clinical teams.

  3. Shortlisted artists will be presented to the Local Health District and Project Team for final endorsement.

  4. Selected artist/s will be notified by 28 March 2025.

  5. Artworks will be installed in the Hospital in mid 2025.


The Project

The new Tamworth Mental Health Unit (currently known as Banksia) is part of the NSW Government’s $700 million Statewide Mental Health Infrastructure Program (SWMHIP). The new facility will provide welcoming, comfortable, safe and supportive facilities for adults and young people in the New England and north-west regions of NSW.

The Opportunity:

We are seeking interest from artists, with a connection to Peel, Mehi and/or Tablelands region to propose existing artworks for consideration.

Artworks will be selected for one of two locations:

  1. To be hung in interview and meeting rooms (physical artworks to be supplied)

  2. Reproduced as a wall graphics in patient bedrooms (high resolution digital file to be supplied, printing and installation will be the responsibility of the project)


Artworks will be purchased based on the pricing supplied in the submission. Artworks do not need to be framed. 

Need assistance? To enquire about these commissions, please contact HI Arts at HI-Arts@health.nsw.gov.au or phone 0422 458 622 and a member of the team will respond.

Artists will be selected based on the below criteria:

  • Are based within the Hunter New England Local Health District footprint.

  • Have a connection to Peel, Mehi and/or Tablelands region (view map here: http://tiny.cc/i8xyzz)

  • Creative practice:  Artwork developed in a style complementary to health care environments*.

  • Artworks are available immediately. 

  • Artworks are made from quality materials. 

  • Artworks suitable for digital reproduction. 

  • Physical artworks can be various sizes but should not be larger than 1m x 1m.


*Considerations:

The Hospital environment can be emotionally charged and any artwork should seek to complement the space by providing calming and uplifting sensory experiences with a strong narrative to capture and hold imagination. 

Representative nature art or biophilic design is most appropriate for healthcare environments.

There are several scientific and executive factors that will be considered in the selection of artworks: 

  • Art that is not overstimulating and reduces or does not result in mental fatigue. 

  • The psychology of colour and the effect that colour has on the mental and physical moods of patients, visitors, and staff.

  • Consideration of ethnic culture and the symbolism that colour has. 

  • The use of line should be considered to avoid the creation of patterns that may cause disorientation.

COMPLETE YOUR EOI TODAY >>>