New Women and Babies Hospital Project
WA Life are seeking Expressions of Interest (EOI) from artists and creatives for a series of significant public art commissions for the Women and Babies Hospital in Murdoch and new Osborne Park Hospital.
This EOI process will establish a pool of artists who may be shortlisted or directly engaged for a range of commissioned artworks throughout the two hospitals.
The commissions include sculptural works, integrated artworks, printed graphics, painting and photography. Artists of all levels of ability, including those from non-traditional public art disciplines are strongly encouraged to apply. This includes (but is not limited to) illustrators, painters, print makers, photographers, furniture makers, craftspeople, ceramicists, textile-artists, poets and writers, digital media artists, sound and lighting artists, as well as sculptors and traditional public artists. The project features several ‘design only’ commissions well suited to early career and non-traditional artists, as well as major stand-alone commissions.
About the New Women and Babies Hospital Project
The New Women and Babies Hospital Project is set to expand services and choice for women, newborns and families - replacing the century-old King Edward Memorial Hospital. The project will provide modern healthcare facilities and benefit the community for years to come, and includes:
A new state-of-the-art Women and Babies Hospital and two new multi-deck car parks within the Fiona Stanley Hospital precinct
A major expansion of Osborne Park Hospital
An expansion of neonatal services at Perth Children’s Hospital.
The new hospital at Murdoch will include inpatient facilities for gynaecology and maternity patients, a neonatology unit for newborns needing specialised care, operating theatres, a family birth centre and outpatient clinics. Complementary structures include two new multi-deck car parks to support future demand.
The architectural design is driven by a landscape-led response to site conditions and a salutogenic approach to healing, delivering a complex operational facility that prioritises the wellbeing of patients, with spaces for shared joy, family interaction, strength and reflection. Two built elements are proposed modulating between the 12-storey hospital facilities and a domestic-scale, ‘companion building’ designed to create a welcoming, less-institutional environment that aligns with midwifery-led birthing practices.
Public art at the hospitals
Public Art Plans have been developed for each of the Hospitals. The Public Art Plan details the project context, sense of place, public art objectives principles and priorities.
Please review these documents prior to submitting your expression of interest. The documents can be downloaded here.
Key Details
Who can apply
Artists based anywhere may apply, however criteria will be weighted to preference artists with strong connections to the sites and the key themes.
Several artwork opportunities reference cultural content. Only artists with cultural authority (for example Whadjuk Noongar artists) may apply for the opportunities which reference cultural content. These will be specified in the briefs on the following pages. The remaining commissions are open to artists of all backgrounds.
Given the nature of the hospital as a place for women and babies - women and female-identifying creatives are strongly encouraged to apply.
How to Apply
Before applying, it is critical that you review the EOI briefs found on the following pages.
All applications must be made by completing the online form before the closing date and time. No late submissions will be accepted.
The expression of interest form will ask you for the following information:
- Your contact details
- A summary of your artistic practice and a Curriculum Vitae
- If you identify with any cultural groups or belong to a language group
- Examples of past work
- A short optional summary of your connection to site
- A short optional approach to the opportunities
More detail on the requirements for submission are found on the following pages. It is recommended that you prepare this information prior to starting your expression of interest submission.
For assistance with making a submission, please contact: kate.parker@slrconsulting.com
EOIs close on the 13th May 2026 at 5pm AWST.
ONLINE briefing
An online briefing will be held on Thursday 9th of April at 9am AWST. This is an opportunity to hear more about the project and to ask any questions about the Expression of Interest process.
This meeting can be joined via this link: EOI BRIEFING LINK or pasting the below into your browser. Please add this to your own calendars.
https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/31345720853569?p=BTuc554g7oaihBg194
Selection Process
EOI Review: A review of the expressions of interest received as a result of this call out will be undertaken to ensure all required information has been submitted.
Shortlisting: A Public Art Selection Panel will review the submissions and determine shortlists for each artwork opportunity. Submissions will be assessed against the following criteria:
Quality of previous works: Artists demonstrate a high level of artistic excellent based on previous experience. Artworks are aesthetically engaging.
Capacity: The artist’s portfolio demonstrated the capacity of the artist and team to deliver high quality artworks.
Relevance and connection to site: Artists work is relevant for the context, demonstrated through past works, and an understanding of the site context, local community, and curatorial themes.
Shortlisted artists will be invited to develop Concept Designs. Artists may also be directly appointed for commissions.
Concept Design Development: Shortlisted or directly appointed artists will be provided with a detailed briefing document including a budget for the artworks. A period of 4-6 weeks will be allowed for the development of concept design proposals in response to the briefing document. The development of concept designs is a paid process, shortlisted or directly appointed artists will receive a fee for the submission of complete proposals.
Artwork Selection: The Public Art Selection Panel will be responsible for the review of the concept design submission, and will select the preferred artworks for each opportunity.
Contracting: Artists will be contracted to WeBuild for the delivery of the artworks.