Trams honouring the artwork of Ellen José are currently on track around Melbourne as part of a collaboration with the Ellen José Memorial Foundation, Yarra Trams and the Rising Festival 2024.
Jose's piece, Reach out and touch - distance and time, is part of The 2024 First Peoples Melbourne Art Trams program, which wraps artwork from First Peoples over trams travelling across the city until June 2025.
Reach out and touch - distance and time emphasises the enduring impact of war on everyone involved, not just those on the frontlines but also their partners, children, families and friends back home.
You can catch the #3023 tram running on Routes 109 and 48.
A longtime Bayside resident, Ellen José (1951-2017) was a pioneer in Australia's urban Indigenous art movement and a radical activist and social justice campaigner.
Her husband, Dr Joseph Toscano, son Joshua, who is co-chair of Bayside's RAP Advisory Group, and daughter Libera were present at the tram's unveiling in June this year.
Ellen José Art Award for young women 2025
The Ellen José Memorial Foundation is providing a $15,000 non-acquisitive award to a female visual artist aged 18-35 years working in any medium. Managed by Bayside Gallery, the Ellen José Art Award for young women is a partnership between the Foundation and Bayside City Council and aims to provide support to young female artists in the early stages of their career.
The award is given in the hope that it will support the winning artist's continued development by providing recognition as well as a financial boost. All finalists will receive an artist fee and have the opportunity for their work to be professionally presented in an exhibition with an accompanying publication.
Who can enter?
Female artists aged 18-35 working in any medium. Artists are invited to enter images of multiple works for consideration, and there is scope for an artist to propose new works as part of their submission.
It is free to enter the award.
What's the timeline?
- Monday 2 September 2024 entries open
- Friday 1 November 2024 (5pm): Closing date for entries
- Monday 2 December 2024: Announcement of the six shortlisted artists
- December 2024-July 2025: Development of work
- July-August 2025: Artwork documentation and catalogue content confirmed
- October 2025: Delivery of artwork
- 20-24 October 2025: Exhibition installation
- 25 October 2025: Exhibition Opening and announcement of winner
- 14 December 2025: Exhibition closes
- 15-17 December 2025: return of artwork
What's the process for selecting finalists?
Six finalists will be selected from the entries and an exhibition of their works will take place in late 2025 at Bayside Gallery. All finalists will receive an artist fee of $3,000. Funds towards travel and accommodation costs will be provided to assist finalists to attend the exhibition opening and announcement.
There is no theme and artworks in any medium will be considered. Bayside Gallery Curator, Joanna Bosse, will select the 6 finalists and work with them to present a series of works. Artists will be allocated 6-8 running meters or 5 x 4 square metres exhibiting space. The judges (to be announced) will decide the winner of the award based on the work in the exhibition.
Enter the Ellen José Art Award for young women 2025
You can find photos of the tram here
