SA Power Networks is looking to engage a Ngarrindjeri First Nations artist to create a mural for the outer wall of the Murray Bridge sub-station.

SA Power Networks is a key player in South Australia’s energy industry as the State’s sole electricity distributor. We are responsible for managing the South Australian electricity distribution network – the substations, transformers, poles, and wires that deliver electricity safely and reliably to 1.7 million South Australians every day. 

As part of our first Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), SA Power Networks strives to continue providing opportunities for First Nations Peoples and Communities. Our commitment and actions will drive our contribution to reconciliation both internally and externally in the communities we operate in. 

One of the actions identified in our RAP was to explore engaging a First Nations Artist to develop a suitable mural for the sub-station at Murray Bridge. 

We are seeking an artist to create and develop a mural, which will be featured on the Murray Bridge South sub-station outer wall and used in other SA Power Networks communications e.g. website, social media.  

What will the artist’s role be?  

To create a mural that reflects SA Power Networks’ commitment to reconciliation, the lands we operate on, the role we play in the community and our sphere of influence. 

Our Reflect RAP came into effect in February 2024 and we have 12 months to deliver on our commitments. The selected Artist will be credited and spotlighted throughout our internal RAP hub page and on our social media, which will detail the inspiration and a description of the mural. In addition, an artist summary will provide an overview of the artist and the story behind the mural. 

The mural 

The artwork must be a painted mural, as well as being suitable for reproduction across a range of digital and printed materials. The image below shows the sub-station wall to be painted for this commission. The sub-station wall is approx. 8.7m wide and 2.5m high. The mural must cover a minimum of 80% of the outer wall. 

Pictured: Murray Bridge South Sub-station 

What needs to be represented?

The development of our RAP is the commitment by SA Power Networks to a reconciliation process that supports the three pillars of relationships, respect and opportunities for First Nations Peoples and communities. As a business with a footprint that spans across the State, we would like the mural to reflect our commitment and efforts through our RAP to work with First Nations communities within our business, South Australia, and our sphere of influence.  

When developing the vision for our RAP, the following key words were identified – trust, collaboration, community, energy, family, influence, empowerment, leadership, togetherness, and opportunity.   

Application dates

• Applications open: Monday 24 June 2024 
• Applications close: Monday 15 July 2024 

Application and selection process

• Stage 1: 
  Apply by completing the mural artwork expression of interest form below. Applicants will also need to include indicative images of their work to support their application.  
• Stage 2: 
  The successful artist will be selected to develop the mural. 
  The selected artist will be notified by Tuesday 23 July 

Key delivery dates:

The timeframe for the completed artwork will need to be negotiated with the preferred artist, but we are seeking a completion date of September 2024.  

Artist fee:

One artist will be selected to progress their concept to completion. As part of the EOI process the Artist is to provide an itemised budget to complete the artwork, including all materials, anti-graffiti coating, equipment, travel expenses and artist fee to produce the work. The final fee will be negotiated with the selected artist. Any preparatory work required for the wall should be included in the cost to develop the mural. The artist will retain the moral rights to the mural. The Artist will be responsible for the maintenance of mural/artwork for 3 years to 31 December 2027. 

An indicative budget of $10,000 is available if no mentoring or working with school kids is required as part of the commission. 

Artwork Intellectual Property:  

All Copyright and Moral Rights pertaining to Artwork/Mural will remain with the Artist. The Artist warrants that the Artwork/Mural will not infringe the Intellectual Property Rights of any person. The Artist grants SA Power Networks a perpetual, royalty-free, non-exclusive licence to use or reproduce and publish images or recordings of the Artwork, for not-for-profit promotional, documentation and educational purposes. 

Artwork ownership:

SA Power Networks will acquire ownership of the mural. The physical work will be permanently displayed on the Murray Bridge sub-station unless the building is demolished or upgraded in the future. At this stage, there are no plans to upgrade the sub-station in the foreseeable future. If the sub-station is identified for upgrading, we will work with the artist to remove or record the mural.   

How do I complete an expression of interest (EOI)

Click the button below for more information on how to apply, and to access the expressions of interest form.

Enquiries / Contact SA Power Networks

Primary Contact: 
Alex Lewis 
Reset Engagement Manager 
0428695173 
Alex.lewis@sapowernetworks.com.au 

Secondary Contact: 
Chad Ytsma 
Reconciliation Action Plan Coordinator 
0411336261 
Chad.ytsma@sapowernetworks.com.au