Riverina artists are invited to create artwork for the new $95 million Temora Health Service redevelopment through a special art commission opportunity.
Murrumbidgee Local Health District (MLHD) is encouraging creatives from across the region to develop artwork that will inspire and comfort patients, visitors, and staff in the public and clinical spaces of the new Temora Health Service.
Applicants with strong community ties to the Temora region and those living within the MLHD are encouraged to apply.
“There are three opportunities available for unique artworks in the Temora Health Service, with several locations identified throughout the hospital,” a Health Infrastructure spokesperson told Region.
“The selected artworks will support a welcoming and culturally safe health service for those who work and seek care at the facility.”
The three opportunities for local artists to contribute to are for the main entrance, clinical areas and a 2D art exhibition.
“Artwork in a prominent location near the main entry will welcome staff, patients and visitors to the site and could include a work applied to a bulkhead, wall-hung artwork or a sculptural form within a landscaped area,” the spokesperson said.
“Artworks in identified clinical locations could include wall-hung artwork in the inpatient lounge to create a home-like environment, a mural in a staff workspace to contribute to a positive work environment, and graphic artwork applied to glazing to support privacy.
“The third opportunity is for an exhibition of 2D works displayed in a key clinical corridor of the new hospital.
“The artworks will provide moments of unexpected positive distraction and connection, particularly in treatment areas or waiting spaces, to support emotional comfort.”
Artists will be selected to progress to the next round of the process based on the following criteria:
- Strong community links and connections to the Temora region within the MLHD
- Artworks that support the healthcare environment and are inviting, engaging and uplifting
- Artworks that complement the hospital’s architectural and interior strategies
- Projects that can be curated as a collection of works across the hospital.
The new hospital will include perioperative facilities for surgery and procedures, community and allied health, ambulatory clinics, pathology and medical imaging facilities as part of the redevelopment.
Patients, staff, and visitors will have access to an improved carpark while emergency and service vehicles will have a separate entry.
The hospital redevelopment will be located on the existing site, retaining and maximising its position overlooking the Temora township.
Light-filled spaces and direct views of the hospital’s beautiful gardens are also proposed as part of the project to create a welcoming and supportive environment for patients, visitors and staff.
In February the new hospital design was unveiled for community input.
MLHD, the Local Health Advisory Committee, clinicians and community members have all helped inform the hospital’s design. Construction of the redevelopment is expected to start in 2025.
Recent hospital redevelopments in Tumut and Wagga Wagga have included significant arts in health initiatives.
Public and clinical areas in the Wagga Wagga Health Services Hub feature artworks by Rachel Viski, Kirrily Anderson and Aboriginal artist Owen Lyons.
The Arts in Health Multipurpose Service (MPS) Project is an innovative program that provides aged care residents at Tumbarumba, Harden and Culcairn MPS with access to professional and quality arts engagement experiences.
The project is a collaboration between MLHD, the Art Gallery of NSW and Health Infrastructure.
If you need assistance with completing and submitting your expression of interest or have any questions, please contact MLHD Art Programs Coordinator Melanie Toscan at [email protected] or phone 0498 551 352.
Creatives are encouraged to learn about the opportunities and application process and to submit an EOI online.
The closing date is Monday 14 October at 5 pm.
More information is available here.