Win Big.

This project is an opportunity for an artist to create a highly visible public artwork in the heart of the Townsville CBD.

The selected artist will be commissioned to design and paint the Uptown Photo Wall and will receive an artist fee of $5,000 along with support from the Uptown team to deliver the project.

The mural will be located in a high pedestrian area designed to encourage people to stop, interact with the artwork and share photos online. Materials required to complete the mural will be provided by Uptown Townsville through project partners and sponsorship support.

The Uptown Photo Wall will be a bright, playful and visually striking artwork that encourages people to stop, take a photo and share their Uptown experience on social media. The mural will become a permanent public artwork celebrating creativity, colour and the energy of the city centre.

The Uptown Photo Wall will be installed on the wall located between Cowboys Leagues Club and the Townsville Chamber of Commerce building on Flinders Street in the Townsville CBD.

This location sits within the Uptown precinct and experiences strong pedestrian movement, making it an ideal location for a colourful and engaging photo wall.

Wall dimensions: Width: 3.7 metres × Height: 3.2 metres

The wall is currently finished in neutral panelling. Artists should consider how their concept will work within this space and how people may interact with the mural when taking photos.

The Uptown Photo Wall is intended to create a vibrant and engaging visual moment within the Townsville CBD. We are looking for an artwork that is:

• Bright, bold and visually striking
• Fun and photo-friendly
• Engaging and interactive for visitors
• Reflective of Townsville's tropical lifestyle and identity
• Suitable for a public space in the CBD

Artists are encouraged to interpret this brief in their own way and bring forward creative ideas that will encourage people to stop, interact with the mural and share their experience of Uptown.

Your Expression of Interest should include:

• Information about you — a short introduction about yourself, your background and your artistic practice
• Examples of previous work — murals, public art, illustration, installations, or other relevant creative work
• Your artistic style and approach — the style of work you create, themes you enjoy, and techniques or materials you use
• Your initial thoughts for the Uptown Photo Wall — a brief written description of your ideas or vision (a detailed design is not required at this stage)
• A portfolio PDF — a single PDF document containing examples of your previous work

Expressions of Interest will be reviewed by a small independent selection panel with experience across arts, culture and the local community. The panel will consider:

• Artistic style and creativity
• Experience with murals or public artwork
• Suitability for a vibrant, public-facing CBD space
• Ability to create engaging, photo-friendly artwork

A preferred artist will then be commissioned to deliver the final artwork. Shortlisted artists may be invited to further discuss ideas or develop a concept as part of the commissioning process.

EOI Period: 9 April 2026 – 22 May 2026