Thank you to everyone who helped develop the Public Art Policy.

Council will be asked to adopt the final proposed Public Art Policy at their meeting this Monday 25 May. To view the meeting agenda and papers and to request to speak about the Strategy, go to Council's website.

Community engagement

From 4 March - 5 April 2026, 83 people provided feedback to guide how public art is created, placed and celebrated in Banyule’s public spaces, through an online survey, information session and targeted stakeholder meetings.

Take a look below at some of the other things we heard, or do a deeper dive by reading the Feedback Summary Report.

What we asked

We asked the community about:

  • What public art should do and where it should be located
  • What Council should prioritise when investing in public art
  • Whether the draft Public Art Policy was right and what could be improved

  • Draft Policy

    The community strongly supports the draft Public Art Policy, with 94% of respondents saying it is right or somewhat right.

  • Public art should...

    Most respondents supported public art that respects the environment, improves public spaces and tells local stories.

  • Locations for public art

    The community preferred public art in well‑used, everyday places like community facilities, transport hubs and parks.

Next steps

Council will be asked to adopt the final proposed Public Art Policy at their meeting this Monday 25 May. To view the meeting agenda and papers and to request to speak about the Policy, go to Council's website.

Background

Public art in Banyule

Engaging artists to create public art and murals is about showing who we are as a community, building local pride, and making public spaces feel more welcoming and interesting.

The draft Public Art Policy outlines how Council chooses, funds and looks after public art, which is a key component of Creative Banyule, Banyule's Arts and Culture Strategy.

Our current Public Art Policy ended in 2024, and a revised policy has been drafted to guide public art decision-making. The new policy will:

  • support high‑quality artworks
  • encourage best‑practice in how public art is planned and made
  • give artists more ways to shape Banyule’s liveability through meaningful, well‑designed art
  • help Council decide when and where public art should be included in buildings, parks, streets and other public projects.

What can you influence?

  • The Investment Guidelines
    Guidelines to help make decisions about public art investment including:
    • where artworks are best located
    • the intended impact and benefits for the community
    • alignment with broader planning and place‑making objectives
    • how artworks contribute to the long‑term public art collection.
  • Acquisition Framework
    Guidelines to support decisions about acquiring public art.
  • Our commitment to investing in public art in Banyule.
  • Our role in assessing and selecting artists and artworks.
  • The Policy's scope and design.

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