A new policy will guide management, maintenance and protection of the hundreds of items of public art across Surf Coast Shire – from sculptures and murals to installations and exhibitions.
Surf Coast Shire Council resolved at its June meeting to adopt the Public Art Policy, which also sets guidelines for commissioning and acquisition of new works, and commits to protection of artist rights.
The policy was presented for Council's consideration following a period of community consultation which recorded strong support for its overall direction.
Cr Rebecca Bourke: "This new policy recognises the great value of public art in our shire, and its role in helping create sense of place, enhancing and invigorating public spaces and reflecting and helping to express our stories.
"An audit completed during 2024 identified 279 individual items of public art across our shire.
"The policy will provide a sustainable framework for the management and preservation of these existing public art assets and clear guidance on acquisition and approval of new works."
Public art is defined as including sculptures, installations, sound or music-based art excluding concerts, exhibitions in public spaces, murals, art incorporated into urban design, and projections and illuminated works.
The audit and policy were recommended for delivery under Council's Creative Places Strategy, which includes a vision for the establishment of a public art trail as a cultural tourism attraction for the shire.
The new policy aligns with principles in the National Standards for Museums and Galleries, the National Association for the Visual Arts Code of Practice, and the Copyright (Moral Rights) Amendments Act 2000.
