First Nations Right of Reply Photography Commission 2025

An opportunity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander photographers to undertake a photography commission that responds to the Powerhouse Collection.

Overview

Powerhouse invites expressions of interest from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander photographers to undertake a photography commission that responds to the Powerhouse Collection. Developed in collaboration with Powerhouse and including both First Nations and Powerhouse Photography teams, the project will focus on Indigenising, countering and investigating narratives of the applied arts and sciences through photography. Applicants are invited to respond to any aspect of the Powerhouse Collection.

To support their research, the successful candidate will have the opportunity to spend two weeks at Powerhouse Castle Hill with access to the Powerhouse Collection, facilitated by the Collections team.

Practical Info

Applicants must show they can take a major commission from concept to delivery. The evaluation process may include interviews and assessments as required. The EOI application must include a CV, a portfolio with 5–6 examples of work, and a statement of interest consisting of a brief response (up to 500 words) to the following questions: Why do you engage in lens-based storytelling? Why do you want to work with the Powerhouse Collection?

Shortlisted applicants will be given a project briefing and required to develop a detailed scope of work with Powerhouse. Once an assessment is complete and the scope is agreed, a successful candidate will be awarded a contract for the project’s delivery.

The selected photographer will have the opportunity to spend two weeks at Powerhouse Castle Hill with access to the Powerhouse Collection. Plus, they will receive a $20,000 artist fee, with travel and accommodation costs covered by Powerhouse, which may acquire commissioned works for an additional acquisition fee outside of the initial funding.

About Powerhouse

Powerhouse is the largest museum group in Australia. It sits at the intersection of the arts, design, science and technology and plays a critical role in engaging communities with contemporary ideas and issues. It is custodian to more than half a million objects of national and international significance and is considered one of the finest and most diverse collections in Australia. It is undertaking significant renewal through the creation of Powerhouse Parramatta, the first NSW State Cultural Institution to be based in Western Sydney; the expansion of Powerhouse Castle Hill; the digitisation of the Powerhouse Collection; and the revitalisation of Powerhouse Ultimo to deliver expanded museum exhibition and learning spaces within a new dynamic creative industries precinct for Sydney.