Expression of Interest – Weaving Workshop Facilitator
The Riawunna Centre for Aboriginal Education is seeking to engage a Tasmanian Aboriginal community member, with knowledge and experience in weaving, to lead a series of weaving workshops at Riawunna. The workshops will bring people together to support the transfer of knowledge and create nine woven circles that will be inserted into the metal shelter in the Riawunna Cultural Garden. The successful applicant will work alongside Riawunna to develop a project plan to support people coming together to create the woven works. The project will be based at the Inveresk Campus, Launceston.
Outside the north-eastern entrance of the University of Tasmania’s River’s Edge building at Inveresk is a flourishing landscape embedded with traditional knowledges. The Riawunna Garden at River’s Edge features native plantings, a ceremonial space and four distinctive artworks that have been imagined by proud Tasmanian Aboriginal artists Genie Battese and Lynne Spotswood. The pair were commissioned to design screens, seating, a shade shelter and fire pit cover, drawing their inspiration from Country, community and culture.
“We were walking along Laykila/the North Esk River looking at all the reeds, the grasses and the river flow, all the noises and the smells, and just listening. That’s when we got the idea that we’d have the theme of rivers and reeds in our artwork,” Lynne said. “Freshwater is also essential, and so is fire, so we incorporated those two elements in the commission along with our community connections and palawa kani – our language.”
The Riawunna Centre for Aboriginal Education is a place to come for assistance on academic, social, and cultural learnings, to ensure a positive student experience at the University of Tasmania. The Riawunna team, work within a cultural framework and aspire to create positive change for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people through educational experiences, supported through shared celebrations, culture and Community.
Visit Riawunna for further information about how the Centre supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and the community.
- Applications open: Wednesday 24 June 2026
- Applications close: Tuesday 21 July 2026
- Submissions are sought from Tasmanian Aboriginal community members with knowledge and experience in weaving.
- Interested community members are asked to submit a short description of possible themes and ideas behind the weaving and how they could see the workshops being delivered. This could include an estimated timeframe, number of workshops and participants, and the type of material that may be used for weaving (such as plant fibre, plastic). Please note, we do not require detailed descriptions.
- Community members are also asked to submit up to three examples of previous artwork. Examples relating to your weaving knowledge and experience are desirable. You could also include your design portfolio, website link, or resume if you have them.
- Upon reviewing the proposals, one community member will be selected to work alongside Riawunna to develop a project plan and deliver the weaving workshops at Riawunna, Inveresk.
- Tasmanian Aboriginal community member with knowledge and experience in weaving.
- Work alongside Riawunna to provide a supportive environment for people to gather and learn.
- Attend meetings with Riawunna to provide input to the planning and delivery of the weaving workshops including community engagement, workshop schedule and weaving resources.
- Determine the types of resources (plant fibre, plastic, etc) to be used in the weaving, the number of workshops and participants in each workshop, the duration of each workshop, and the timeline for workshops.
- Deliver a series of weaving workshops at Riawunna, Inveresk. The workshops will result in nine circles of different sizes which will be attached to the metal shelter in the Riawunna cultural garden. (Workshop session dates to be determined by facilitator and Riawunna)
- Complete the University of Tasmania on-boarding process which includes police check and obtaining a Working with Vulnerable People Card (Riawunna to support with this).
- The selected community member will be paid a facilitator fee to support Riawunna in delivering the weaving workshops. The fee will be negotiable with the successful facilitator in line with the University of Tasmania payment guidelines.
The community member will be selected based on the strength and relevance of past portfolio work, weaving knowledge and experience, as well as how their short description and possible themes and ideas behind the weaving fit the brief.
The submissions will be assessed against the following criteria:
- Creative vision: a creative or innovative vision in terms of concept and method
- Suitability: to what extent do the artistic concept and design address the brief and opportunity, including factoring cultural appropriateness and site specificity
- Capability: demonstrated experience and collaborative skillsets
The selection panel for this EOI consists of Dave Warrener (Head of Service, Riawunna, UTAS), Georgie Adams (Aboriginal Community Engagement Officer, Riawunna, UTAS), Janice Ross (Aboriginal Community Engagement Officer, Riawunna, UTAS) and Cindy Thomas (Indigenous Collections Coordinator and Curator, Cultural Collections, UTAS).
How to apply
Applications should include
- Name and contact details
- The EOI you are interested in
- Short description of possible themes and ideas behind the weaving and how you could see the project being delivered
- Three examples of previous work (relating to your weaving practice and experience is preferred)
- Design portfolio or website link (if you have one)
- Resume (if you have one)
To submit your application, please include all information (and attachments) and email to Cultural.Collections@utas.edu.au
The University of Tasmania recognises that written, online applications are not accessible to everyone. If the process on this page is not suitable for you, please contact Cindy Thomas at Cindy.Thomas@utas.edu.au to discuss an alternative application pathway. We accept video or audio submissions in place of written responses (up to 5 minutes).
If you have any issues or would like assistance applying, please email Cindy.Thomas@utas.edu.au