Albany Fish Trap Sculpture

Seeking Expressions of Interest for Fish Trap Public Art Sculpture

Regional Arts WA and the Western Australian Museum, with support from the Foundation for the WA Museum and Creative Australia, are seeking First Nations artists with Menang Noongar cultural ties to create a public artwork celebrating the ancient Menang Fish Traps on the Albany coastline.

Who Can Apply?

  • First Nations artists from WA with Menang Noongar cultural ties (mentoring & support available)
  • Solo artists or lead artists within a creative team

What You’ll Receive:

  • Stage ONE (EOI): No fee
  • Stage TWO (Concept Design): Up to 3 shortlisted artists receive $2,500 each + mentoring
  • Stage THREE (Detailed Design): Selected artist receives $25,000

Deadline: 28 November 2025, 5:00pm WST

Submit to: projects@regionalartswa.org.au

Download the EOI Summary

This is your opportunity to bring Menang cultural knowledge to life through a lasting public artwork at the Museum of the Great Southern!

Celebrating Menang Culture Through Art

In 2024, Regional Arts WA received funding from Creative Australia to partner with the WA Museum and local First Nations people on an innovative cultural project. This collaborative initiative celebrates Menang culture through creative workshops and consultation with Traditional Owners, focusing on the cultural significance of the ancient Albany fish traps.

A key component of the project is identifying and mentoring an emerging Aboriginal artist to support the development and realisation of the final sculpture. This ensures the artwork is deeply rooted in community voices and cultural authenticity.

The installation will serve as both:

  • An artistic interpretation of a traditional Menang fish trap.
  • An educational resource for the community and visitors.

Strategically located at a water source affected by tidal movements—via tunnels beneath the town’s harbour access road—the sculpture will reveal different elements over time, encouraging ongoing engagement and curiosity.

Origins of the Project

The concept for the fish trap sculpture emerged during community consultations led by the Museum of the Great Southern in 2018. Menang Elders highlighted the significance of the fish traps, inspiring a community-led, collaborative art installation.

Project Goals and Vision

The project aims to:

  • Commission a public artwork prominently located at the Museum of the Great Southern.
  • Embed Menang knowledge and perspectives into place.
  • Contribute to broader decolonisation efforts.
  • Offer a visible and lasting acknowledgement of the fish traps’ importance to local Aboriginal people.

This contemporary artwork will express the enduring connection between Menang people and Country. It will make local Aboriginal culture and stories accessible, creating a space for cultural storytelling and education through art.

Contact

For more information please contact First Nations Project Officer, Janine Oxenham at joxenham@regionalartswa.org.au.

Project Partners

The project is supported by the The Western Australian Museum, the Foundation for the WA Museum, the Museum of the Great Southern, and Creative Australia.

We honour and respect the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we gather and operate, acknowledging their enduring connection to Country, culture, and spirituality.

We recognise the resilience and strength of First Nations peoples, their rich cultural heritage, and the ongoing importance of their knowledge and practices. We are committed to fostering cultural equity and understanding with First Nations people across WA.