QUEENSLAND PUBLIC ART FUND OPENS FOR APPLICATIONS

Arts Minister Rod Welford today announced applications were open for art+place, Queensland’s new $12 million public art fund.

Mr Welford said the new fund would enhance Queensland’s leading role in using art to create better public places, allocating $4 million annually over the next three years to public art commissions.

“It is widely acknowledged that innovative, creative and animated public spaces enhance community feeling and create a competitive economic edge,” Mr Welford said.

“Public art has caught Queensland’s attention, with a Brisbane City Council survey showing Queenslanders had a heightened awareness of and appreciation for public art.

“This new fund, art+place, will facilitate the creation of world-class art in urban spaces across Queensland.

“The fund will also create valuable employment and development opportunities for Queensland’s emerging, mid-career and senior artists.”

Mr Welford said art+place was created in response to the 2005-06 evaluation of the former public art policy, Art Built-in, by Professor Michael Keniger, the former Queensland Government Architect.

“The report identified the need for greater flexibility and consistency in public art commissions and this new fund brings more accessibility and diversity to the commissioning of public art,” he said.

“It now allows local councils, not-for-profit arts and cultural organisations, arts and cultural festivals and private developers, as well as State Government departments, to apply for funding.

“The new fund will also bring more rigour to the commissioning of public art with a focus on commissioning high quality work for existing or new precincts.”

Mr Welford said the new fund would be administered by Arts Queensland with a five-member curatorial panel working with a Government Curator to approve and oversee commissions. The art+place curatorial panel will comprise experts from the arts, architecture, landscape design and planning professions.

The art+place policy document, application guidelines and forms are now available on Arts Queensland’s website, www.arts.qld.gov.au. The closing date for the lodgement of expressions of interest for funding in 2008 is 30 November 2007.

Media contact: Marnie Stitz or Emma Clarey on 32371000