The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), through the ASEAN-Australia Centre, has commissioned the National Museum of Australia (the Museum) to develop and tour an immersive projection experience featuring First Nations storytelling for a Southeast Asian audience. The Museum is seeking the services of a premier digital production company to develop a captivating digital immersive experience. The production will tour six Southeast Asian countries over three years from 2026, and will also be displayed simultaneously at the Museum site in Canberra from July 2026.

The Immersive will draw content from the Museum’s object-based exhibition, 'Water Spirits', currently under development in partnership with Maningrida Arts and Culture Centre, The Culture Office / Djómi Museum and Bábbarra Designs.

Water Spirits explores stories of the Yawkyawk and other mermaid-like beings from Western Arnhem Land. For the Kunwinjku people, Yawkyawk are ancestral mermaid spirits inhabiting the freshwater pools and streams of Central and Western Arnhem land. Yawkyawk is a word from the Kunwinjku/ Kunwok language group meaning “young woman spirit” and refers to a female spirit with the body of a woman and the tail of fish. Yawkyawk have strong associations with fertility, water sources and the Rainbow Serpent.

Other Instructions:

Conditions for Participation:

Response to the RFT prior to ATM Close Time

Timeframe for Delivery:

The immersive production must be completed by April 2026 for a 2026-2029 tour of Southeast Asia.

Estimated Value (AUD): From $2,000,000.00 to $2,500,000.00

Address for Lodgement:

RFT responses must be lodged and completed electronically via AusTender