Public Art

Memento public art sculpture on the Byron Arts and Industrial-Estate artist Andy MacPherson

Temporary and permanent public art and activations are an accessible and visible way to celebrate our creative community. Public art and creative activations include:

  • digital, temporary or permanent artworks,
  • performances, mini festivals, installations,
  • workshops or creative activations that reimagine, activate or transform public spaces.

Public art is an important part of our master-planning projects. It is also initiated by the community, or triggered through the Development Control Plan.

We often receive offers of donations and loans of public art. Our Policy and Public Art Guidelines clearly outline how these applications are reviewed. These can be downloaded below. 

Arts and Creative Industry Advisory Committee

Public art proposals and projects are referred to Council's Arts and Creative Industry Advisory Committee, formerly the Public Art Panel, which advises Council on public art acquisitions and commissions.

Projects which are commissioned by Council are always advertised through an Expression of Interest.

Public Art Strategy

Council's Public Art Panel has developed a Public Art Strategy, to provide a vision and framework for the Council's planning and decision making in relation to the commissioning and acquisition of public art, as well as its ongoing care and maintenance.

The Strategy can be downloaded from this page.

Public Art and Development

Public Art in private development is governed by Chapter D8 of the Byron Shire Development Control Plan 2014.

The chapter outlines what developments it applies to. The Chapter outlines the process for including public art in a new development, including submitting a Public Art Plan at the DA stage of the development. For more information about the Public Art Chapter see the Development Control Plan.