Bundaberg Region Public Art Master Plan
Bundaberg Regional Council is currently undertaking a review of our Public Art Policy.
As part of this review, we are planning to develop a 5-year Master Plan that will embrace best practice industry standards, as well as creating great places for our community through Public Art.
The objectives of the Public Art Master Plan are to enable Council to:
- understand, document and analyse the historical commitment to public art in the region;
- assess the existing public art collection;
- determine community demand for public art investment;
- recommend potential themes and/or stories of significance;
- present a master plan of placemaking, temporary and permanent public artworks with suggestions for location and stories of significance based on Council owned and/or controlled assets or areas only
The first step is to conduct a number of ideation workshops for the community to have their say.
If you have ever had an idea for a public art project in the broader Bundaberg Region and would like to have a say in how our community could explore the positive impact of public art in your neighbourhood, come along to one of our three community consultation workshops with facilitator Shelley Pisani from The Ideas Distillery.
ONLINE SURVEY
What is Public Art?
Public Art is created for public spaces or facilities that are accessible to the public. It can be permanent or temporary in nature. It can include but is not limited to:
- Site-specific digital art, sculptures, installations or murals
- Temporary installations or performances located in a public space
- Artworks produced through community participation
- Integration of art into architecture and urban planning
We have some great public art in our region – but there is certainly room for more. Bundaberg Regional Council want to be strategic about how public art is delivered in the future to ensure, high quality works that reflect our region’s people, stories and places. We would love to get your feedback. We will be conducting workshops with our First Nations communities early in 2022 and then developing a Discussion Paper for further feedback.
We are seeking your input for “blue sky” projects – the ones that shout out who we are, to the world in a way that is appropriate for our region. So, the questions are based on the fictitious (but possible) scenario below. We appreciate your time in sharing your ideas.
Thanks to everyone who submitted their ideas.
DRAFT PUBLIC ART MASTER PLAN
A robust and vibrant Public Art and Creative vision is an essential element to making the Bundaberg Region Australia’s best regional community in line with Council’s stated corporate goals.
The Masterplan celebrates the considerable achievements of cultural, creative, and artistic activity within our region, and defines a plan for the future for public art that is installed in a space that is a public asset managed by/or is intended to be managed by Bundaberg Regional Council.
You can read the Draft Master Plan here.
Give us your views by clicking on the link:
Paper copies of the Draft Public Art Master Plan and survey are available by contacting Council on 1300 883 699 or emailing engagement@bundaberg.qld.gov.au.
Please complete the survey by 5pm Monday 5 June, 2023.
Thanks to everyone who gave us feedback - we really do appreciate it.
ADOPTED PUBLIC ART MASTER PLAN
You can download the Public Art Master Plan here.
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Public art proposals now open
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Applications are now open for the first artwork proposals to be considered under Bundaberg Regional Council’s Public Art Masterplan.
The plan was adopted by Council in July this year and is a first for the region.
Arts, Culture and Events portfolio spokesperson Cr John Learmonth said it was an exciting opportunity to give the future growth of the region’s public art collection a strategic direction.
“The Public Art Masterplan means Council can now proactively call for artwork proposals to be considered and the arts community has clear guidelines under which to make those submissions,” Cr Learmonth said.
“Creating art is a labour of love however going through this process is a significant undertaking so it’s wonderful we can offer this level of clarity for the community.
“It also provides Council with a clear framework under which to assess proposals, based on themes supported by the community and criteria such as public safety and resourcing.”
The Public Art Masterplan vision is that “public art will showcase the Bundaberg Region’s unique identity and history through a diversity of artforms, improved aesthetics, connections to the environment and culture, aligned with future aspirations”.
Its mission states “Bundaberg Regional Council will reflect our region’s unique identity through the development and management of a public art program, creating rich experiences for our community and its visitors”.
Cr Learmonth said Council was looking forward to working proactively with the arts community and he knew many residents supported more public art.
“Council has consulted with the community every step of the way throughout the development of this masterplan,” Cr Learmonth said.
“Residents have told us that they see the value in public art and have helped us to identify the themes which are important to our community.”
A special round for public art proposals is open now and closes 20 October 2023.
Read the Public Art Masterplan and make a submission here.
Read the full Bundaberg Now story here.
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Public Art Masterplan tick of approval
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The region's unique identity will be showcased through public art into the future after the formal adoption of the Public Art Masterplan.
Given the tick of approval at last month's Bundaberg Regional Council Ordinary Meeting, the masterplan encompasses any artwork on Council-owned land or venues that is being entered into the public art collection.
The following guiding principles reflect the vision of the Public Art Masterplan, and will underpin future public artworks:
Actively seek partnerships to grow a collection that reflects our region
Manage the Public Art Collection responsibly within available resources
Encourages diverse voices to be represented in public art through authentic and ethical engagement
Promote public art as a tourism product of the region
Recognise and celebrate Aboriginal, Torres Strait and South Sea Islander culture and stories
Support the development of local artists and the growth of our creative industries to deliver art that shapes our region.
Mayor Jack Dempsey said the Public Art Masterplan reflected Council’s continued commitment to guide the development of the region’s thriving arts and cultural sector through a strategic framework and Public Art Program.
He said the plan was the very first of its kind for Council and with it came significant opportunities.
“In the past there has been an ad hoc approach across the region to the development of public art,” he said.
“We now have a strategy that will provide a clear direction to address the needs of our vibrant, artistic and culturally diverse community.”
Mayor Dempsey said public art played an important role in activating public spaces and attracting more people to the region.
“Pieces that acknowledge and celebrate cultural identity can become avenues for storytelling and community engagement,” he said.
“Public art can offer opportunities for reflection and, in doing so, foster community connectivity.
“This masterplan is forward facing, it’s a plan for our future.”
Development of the masterplan
The Public Art Masterplan has been developed over a two-year period, from 2021-2023, in which consultation with a range of community members and groups has been undertaken to determine priorities and preferences for public art.
On 8 March 2021 Council partnered with The Ideas Distillery for the provision of a guiding document for the development and implementation of Council policies and programs related to Public Art.
During 2021-2023, internal and external consultation was conducted with stakeholder groups, with a discussion paper and draft masterplan released for community feedback with accompanying surveys.
“Through extensive consultation we know that our community values public art, a sentiment which is acknowledged and shared by Council,” Mayor Dempsey said.
“We recognise the importance of arts within our community to foster a sense of self and sense of pride.”
As part of the masterplan, applications to Council for public art will now be considered through an online application portal.
Council assessment committee will assess public art submissions and make recommendations to Bundaberg Regional Council with projects requiring a Council resolution before they can proceed.
Find out more by viewing the Public Art Masterplan here.
Read the Bundaberg Now story here.
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Public art discussion paper available
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Artists and art lovers can now read and provide feedback on a discussion paper as Council continues its community consultation on the development of a Public Art Master Plan.
The discussion paper is being released ahead of the finalisation of the Bundaberg Region Public Art Master Plan to provide further community feedback on its direction.
Arts, Culture and Events portfolio spokesperson Cr John Learmonth said Council undertook community consultation throughout 2021 and 2022 to inform the discussion paper.
“We have been so fortunate to receive a broad range of enthusiastic support and feedback throughout this process from not just the local arts community but the wider region,” Cr Learmonth said.
“During the workshops our community has made it clear that they recognise the value of public art.
“The discussion paper provides an insight into Council’s early interpretation of that feedback and its incorporation into a formal master plan.
“Once adopted, the master plan will document and analyse the region’s existing public art collection, determine the regional demand for investment in public art and recommend potential themes as well as the process by which applications would be assessed and approved for entry into Council’s public art collection.
“That’s why it’s vitally important we get this right in the first instance, so I would encourage everyone to take the time to review the discussion paper and provide any feedback.”
The Bundaberg Region Public Art Master Plan discussion paper and survey is available on the project page here, or at any Council Service Centre.
Public art decision making
Once the Public Art Master Plan is formally adopted, Council will introduce a formal decision making process to assess public art submissions.
Submissions will need to meet a range of criteria before going to a Council meeting for ratification before any public art can enter Council’s collection, including:
- Artistic merit
- Contribution to a vibrant public realm
- Local relevance
- Maintenance and conservation requirements
- Strategies and objectives
For more information and to read the discussion paper in full, click here.
Consultation on the Public Art Master Plan discussion paper closes 5pm Monday 20 February.
Read the full Bundaberg Now story here.
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Have your say on public art spaces in the community
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Community members are being urged to put forward their ideas for public art installations to help create vibrant spaces across the region.
Bundaberg Regional Council will be reviewing the process of its Public Art Policy with a five-year Master Plan to be developed, embracing best practice industry standards as well as creating wonderful places for the community through public art.
Arts, Culture and Events portfolio spokesperson Cr John Learmonth said community input was being sought at a series of upcoming workshops with discussions to centre around what type of installations should be embraced.
“If you have a great idea for a public art project or just love art in general, this is the time to become involved in our local arts scene,” he said.
“We want to know how we can explore public art, what themes should be highlighted, where art should be displayed and much more.”
Cr Learmonth said displaying art in public spaces had many benefits, including engaging the community, boosting the aesthetic aspects of a particular site and creating interest and storytelling.
“Art in public is shown to have a positive impact on residents and visitors alike and really boosts an area, adding vibrancy and creativity to a space,” he said.
We are very lucky to already have some amazing public art in the region, from the sculptures and mosaics lining the streets of Childers to the various artworks in the alleyways of the Bundaberg CBD.”
“We want to build on this and create even more interesting spaces to be enjoyed by the whole community.”
Bundaberg Regional Council will host three community consultation workshops with facilitator Shelley Pisani from The Ideas Distillery to explore public art options.
The workshops will be held on:
Friday, 16 July, 10am-noon
Bundaberg Civic Centre Supper Room
Monday 19 July, 10am-noon
Bundaberg Civic Centre Supper Room
Monday, 19 July 5.30pm-7.30pm
Online Zoom Session
To register your attendance email Community Arts Development Officer Jolene Watson at Jolene.Watson@bundaberg.qld.gov.au or phone 1300 883 699.
Read the Bundaberg Now story here.
