Trading Stories is a public art project celebrating Mooroolbark’s multicultural community. The project invites artists to work with local business owners to create artworks that share real stories of place, work and belonging.
Mooroolbark is home to people from many backgrounds who live and work in the area. Trading Stories will deliver murals across the town centre, sharing stories of culture, migration, business and everyday life
Trading Stories: Mooroolbark Multicultural Murals is supported by the Victorian Government through Business Victoria.
To apply, you will need to submit:
Download the artists brief.(PDF, 10MB)
Submit your application to publicart@yarraranges.vic.gov.au Enquiries are welcome prior to submission. Yolande Pickett publicart@yarraranges.vic.gov.au 03 9294 6435 | 0456 873 184
Information and conversations can be supported with translation or interpreter services, or other accessibility requirements if needed.
This opportunity is open to:
We welcome applications from all professional artists. Preference may be given to artists with lived experience, cultural knowledge and community connections that support culturally safe, respectful and authentic storytelling.
Selected artists will:
Artists will be supported throughout the process and introduced to participating businesses by Yarra Ranges Council.
You do not need to submit a concept design as part of your application.
No. We welcome applications from all professional artists.
This project seeks to elevate stories and perspectives from culturally diverse communities. Preference may be given to artists who identify as being from a culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) background, or who can demonstrate lived experience, cultural knowledge and community connections that support culturally safe, respectful and authentic storytelling.
Culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities include people from a wide range of cultural, ethnic, linguistic, religious and migration backgrounds.
We recognise that cultural identity is complex and cannot be determined by a single factor. It may relate to language, ancestry, country of birth, cultural heritage, migration experience or lived experience.
No. We do not ask applicants to provide proof of their cultural identity or background. Applicants are invited to self-identify and describe how their lived experience, cultural knowledge, community connections and artistic practice relate to the aims of the project.
Culturally safe storytelling recognises that stories belong to the people who live them. Artists are expected to approach the project with respect, curiosity and care, and to work collaboratively with participating business owners throughout the process. The aim is to create artwork that reflects stories authentically while respecting different cultural perspectives, experiences and boundaries.
Applications will be assessed by a community panel (including Moorroolbark's business owners) against the selection criteria on the Artist Brief.
Assessment will consider:
Public art experience is desirable, but artists at different stages of practice are encouraged to apply. We're looking for artists who can demonstrate a thoughtful approach to collaboration, storytelling and working with people.
No. Artists do not need to live in Mooroolbark or the Yarra Ranges to apply. However, selected artists must be willing to spend time connecting with participating businesses and engaging with the local community.
No. Concept designs are not required at the Expression of Interest stage. Artists will be selected based on their experience, portfolio and response to the brief.
Council will introduce selected artists to participating businesses. Artists and business owners will spend time getting to know each other, sharing stories and exploring ideas together. Artists will then develop artwork inspired by these shared experiences.
Business owners will be involved throughout the storytelling process and will have opportunities to discuss how their story is represented. Artists retain creative authorship of the artwork, while Council supports a process that prioritises respectful representation, collaboration and cultural safety.