EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST (EOI) - Benalla Bench Seat Project, March 2027 - Local & Emerging Artists

PROJECT INTRODUCTION
The Benalla Rural City Council invites emerging and local artists aged 15 and over to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to design artwork for the Benalla Bench Seat Project when 50 bench seats will be painted in the CBD during March 2027.

This new creative initiative will form part of the Streets of Stories Public Art Trail thanks to funding from Business Victoria through the Multicultural Business Precinct Revitalisation grant.

This EOI aims to identify local and emerging artists with strong ideas, clear artistic intent, and the capability to contribute meaningfully to this significant public art project for Benalla.

Artists are therefore encouraged to propose concepts that reflect Benalla’s character, stories, environment, or people.

This is an unpaid opportunity with inkind support designed to support local and emerging artists, strengthen local creative pathways, and contribute to a major public art experience that will be seen by thousands of visitors and community members all year round.

The Benalla Bench Seat trail will be launched during the Benalla Street Art Festival (2-4 April, 2027), showcasing the diverse artistic voices which celebrate Benalla’s identity, community, and culture.

INKIND SUPPORT FOR ARTISTS includes:
- An allowance to purchase paint & materials from a local Dulux supplier (or provide their own if preferred)
- A refreshments voucher to be used at designated local cafes
- Invitation to attend an online briefing prior to the close of EOIs, with Street Art Festival curator Simon Grant supplying tips
- All benches will be undercoated and ready for painting.
- Opportunity for a meet & greet with key Street Art Festival artists during the 2027 event
- Artists are welcome to place a hat out for donations while they are painting

BENALLA RURAL CITY COUNCIL WILL PROVIDE
- all permits, event logistics (bollards, drop sheets, fluoro vests)
- materials allowance for paints & brushes
- cafe vouchers
- artist liaison
- media associated with the project
- bench seat trail map and promotion on key tourism websites and socials

Please tick which dates in March would suit if you're selected (below).

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS - Benalla Bench Seat project
The bench seats are standard cast‑iron framed street benches with timber slats, identical to those installed along Benalla’s main streets. Each bench will be undercoated and ready for painting before being distributed to selected artists.

Approximate Dimensions
Overall length - 1.6m (Fits 2-3 people comfortably)
Seat depth - 45cm (from front edge to backrest)
Seat height - 46cm (from ground to top of seat slats)
Backrest height - 85cm (from ground to top of backrest)
Slat wideth - 7cm (Six timber slats per seat)
Armrest width - 6cm (Cast iron scrollwork style)
Frame colour - Navy Blue (powder-coated cast iron) **Not to be painted.

Question Title

1. Applicant Eligibility & Personal Details (Required.)

Full Name

Preferred Name (optional

Age (*Applicants must be 15+)

Mobile nos

Email address

Address

If U/18 What school do you attend?

Question Title

2. Are you a local artist? (Required.)

I live in Benalla Rural City

I study in Benalla

I work in Benalla

I live/work/study in a surrounding LGA (ie North East Victoria/Goulburn Valley)

Other (please specify)

Question Title

3. Do you identify as an emerging or established artist?

Definition of an Emerging Artist
Building a reputation.
Limited exhibition history.
Smaller collector base.
Developing professional networks.

Definition of an Established Artist
Significant exhibition record.
Recognised regionally, nationally or internationally.
Strong collector or commercial market.
Consistent professional income from artistic practice.

(Required.)

Emerging Artist

Established Artist

Optional: Brief explanation

Question Title

4. Artist Background & Experience
Please provide a brief Artist Bio (150 words max).
Include website/socials/portfolio links (if you have them).
Past work samples with captions can be emailed to catherine.macmillan@benalla.vic.gov.au (Required.)

Question Title

5. PROJECT CONCEPT: Benalla Bench Seat
Themes should reflect Benalla’s identity, stories, and community spirit.
Designs must be family‑friendly and suitable for public display.
No text, logos, or imagery that could be considered offensive or commercial.
Artists are encouraged to use bold colours, pattern, and storytelling elements that complement the Streets of Stories multicultural art trail.

Preference will be given to projects which:
reflect Benalla's character, people, stories or environment
* articulate strong ideas with clear artistic intent
* the concept must be original.
* visual draft sketches or concept images highly regarded

Question:
Briefly outline your concept overview and how it connects to Benalla.

(Required.)

Question Title

6. MATERIALS & EQUIPMENT
* Artists will be given an allowance to purchase paint and materials from a local DULUX supplier, (or may choose to use their own preferred materials at their cost).
* Benches will be undercoated and ready for painting.
* After the artwork is completed Council will apply a UV-resistant clear coat .
* A plaque will be installed on each bench seat as part of the trail. Each seat will be numbered, with the artists name and a QR code - which will link to the artists concept/story. (Required.)

I understand and accept these conditions

I prefer to use my own materials

Question Title

7. DELIVERY - INSTALLATION
Successful artists will be allocated a bench (numbered).
All artwork must be undertaken between 1 and 21 March, 2027.

Please rank your preferred painting times (1= most preferred). (Required.)

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8. Please indicate your preferred times e.g mornings, afternoons, after school /work etc (Required.)

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9. SELECTION CRITERIA

Applications will be assessed by the selection panel comprising the Curator Benalla Street Art Festival, Director Benalla Art Gallery and members of the Stakeholder Engagement group.

This will be based on:
* Artistic merit
* Relevance to site and community
* Clarity of concept
* Professionalism (Required.)

Question Title

10. Do you have your own Public Liability Insurance? (see next question for options if not) (Required.)

Yes

Question Title

11. If NOT you will need to be covered under Council's Insurance policy as a volunteer for this project.

Are you willing to complete and return the additional paperwork required promptly if selected? (Required.)

Yes

Other (please specify)

Question Title

12. GENERAL AGREEMENTS
I confirm that: (Required.)

I understand this is an Expression of Interest only and does not guarantee selection

If selected I will follow the guidelines and directions of staff and ensure OHS requirements are adhered to

My artwork is suitable for a family-friendly audience

I will be respectful of nearby traders, pedestrians

I will commit to being present during the allocated time slot and location

I will ensure I have completed Public Liability requirements before commencing work onsite

I will provide a 150 word (max) explanation of my artwork asap and by 21 March at the latest.

I consent to Council using my supplied images or demo links for promotional purposes

INFO SESSION:
A free information session will be held online on Wednesday 4 November, 2026 from 5.30pm - 6.30pm with Street Art Curator Simon Grant giving tips and answering any questions you may have.

If you'd like to attend please register via Humanitix.
https://events.humanitix.com/benalla-bench-seat-art-project-information-session

A Zoom link will be sent out the day before.

Many thanks for your EOI. We'll be in touch by late January to confirm selections.

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100% of survey complete.

EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST (EOI) - Benalla Bench Seat Project, March 2027 - Local & Emerging Artists

Question Title

* 1. Applicant Eligibility & Personal Details (Required.)

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* 2. Are you a local artist? (Required.)

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* 4. Artist Background & Experience Please provide a brief Artist Bio (150 words max). Include website/socials/portfolio links (if you have them). Past work samples with captions can be emailed to catherine.macmillan@benalla.vic.gov.au (Required.)

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* 7. DELIVERY - INSTALLATIONSuccessful artists will be allocated a bench (numbered).All artwork must be undertaken between 1 and 21 March, 2027. Please rank your preferred painting times (1= most preferred). (Required.)

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* 8. Please indicate your preferred times e.g mornings, afternoons, after school /work etc (Required.)

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* 10. Do you have your own Public Liability Insurance? (see next question for options if not) (Required.)

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* 11. If NOT you will need to be covered under Council's Insurance policy as a volunteer for this project. Are you willing to complete and return the additional paperwork required promptly if selected? (Required.)

Question Title

* 12. GENERAL AGREEMENTS I confirm that: (Required.)

1. Applicant Eligibility & Personal Details (Required.)

2. Are you a local artist? (Required.)

4. Artist Background & Experience
Please provide a brief Artist Bio (150 words max).
Include website/socials/portfolio links (if you have them).
Past work samples with captions can be emailed to catherine.macmillan@benalla.vic.gov.au (Required.)

7. DELIVERY - INSTALLATION
Successful artists will be allocated a bench (numbered).
All artwork must be undertaken between 1 and 21 March, 2027.

Please rank your preferred painting times (1= most preferred). (Required.)

8. Please indicate your preferred times e.g mornings, afternoons, after school /work etc (Required.)

10. Do you have your own Public Liability Insurance? (see next question for options if not) (Required.)

11. If NOT you will need to be covered under Council's Insurance policy as a volunteer for this project.

Are you willing to complete and return the additional paperwork required promptly if selected? (Required.)

12. GENERAL AGREEMENTS
I confirm that: (Required.)