Public art - Create NSW

Resources on public art

Create NSW has developed a range of resources related to public art. These include:

• NSW Public Art Toolkit - The Toolkit aims to help NSW Government agencies apply best practice principles to planning, commissioning, implementing, and maintaining public art. The Toolkit guidance notes, and case studies summarise and illustrate the key steps in successfully creating public art along with links to further specialist information. 
• Aboriginal Arts and Cultural Protocols - Create NSW acknowledges that it must play a strong role in supporting the right way for cultural business and has worked with the NSW Aboriginal cultural sector to develop these NSW Aboriginal arts and cultural protocols. The Protocols should be considered when working on Country and developing work in the public domain.

For more public art and cultural infrastructure resources see Resource Hub

Current opportunities & events

See current public art opportunities for artists.

• City of Parramatta - EOI Public Art commission

The City of Parramatta invites artists residing in Australia to submit an EOI application for one (1) Public Art commission for the Community Centre on Uhrig Rd Project. 

Closing 19 January 2025

Submit an Expression of Interest

Public Art Toolkit Webinars - Recordings available

Sydney Metro

Since 2018, Create NSW has been working in partnership with Sydney Metro to commission artworks for the Sydney Metro lines across metropolitan Sydney. This collaboration enables artist to access public art opportunities in major infrastructure projects across Sydney. For more information regarding the commissioned public art see Sydney Metro and the following links:

Parramatta Road Urban Amenity Improvement Program (PRUAIP)

Create NSW has been working closely with Department of Planning Industry and Environment and six local councils to implement public art as a key component of the Parramatta Road Urban Amenity Improvement Program (PRUAIP).

Creative Road developed an overarching Public Art Framework to provide a comprehensive guide for the implementation of public art works along the Parramatta Road corridor. Local and state government policies informed the development of the framework – identifying opportunities and approaches to public art while responding to community.

Case studies

Cumberland City Council developed a case study to showcase best practice when working with Aboriginal artists and community. 

• File

  Badu Bayumi Public Art Case Study Cumberland City Council (PDF 3.35MB)

PRUAIP public art commissions to date include:

Images left to right: 

• Petersham Escarpment, Simon Reece, 2022, Leichardt, photo credit: Inner West Council
• Moto Baccio, Karl Meyer, 2022, Leichardt, photo credit: Inner West Council
• Fly Wave, Chris Fox Studio and Mike Daly Studio, 2023, Sculptural and light installation, Lorraine Street Bridge, North Strathfield, image credit: Create NSW

Second Row

• Carrier Wave, Chris Fox Studios and Mike Daly Studio, 2023, Sculptural and lighting installation, Hamilton Street Bridge, North Strathfield, image credit: Create NSW
• Yenmara bembul-ra (walking on earth), Toby Bishop and Jasmine Sarin, Burwood, Park Banners, 2023, Image credit: Burwood Council
• Badu Bayumi, Dennis Golding, 2022, Auburn North, photo credit Hollywood Studios

Third Row

• Embrace Monuments artwork by artist Nuha Saad cnr Melton and Adderley St PRUAIP Public Art 2023 image Cumberland City Council
• Badu Bayumi, Dennis Golding, 2022, Auburn North, photo credit Hollywood Studios
• Scholar Seats artwork by Louise Zhang.  Luke Ave Burwood, Image Burwood Council

Fourth Row

• Embrace Monuments, Nuha Saad, 2023, Installation, Auburn North Precinct, Image Credit Cumberland City Council  
• Burwood Bus Depot, Christina Huynh, 2023, Mural, Burwood Bus Depot, Image credit Burwood Council
• N-S-E-W sculpture by Warren Langley & Dennis Golding, TILT Industrial Design, 2024 Installation view (day-time) Homebush Station. Image courtesy of Strathfield Council

Bottom Row

• N-S-E-W sculpture by Warren Langley & Dennis Golding, TILT Industrial Design, 2024 Installation view (night-time) Homebush Station. Image courtesy of Strathfield Council
• N-S-E-W sculpture by Warren Langley & Dennis Golding, TILT Industrial Design, 2024 Installation view (night-time) Homebush Station. Image courtesy of Strathfield Council

Image on page header: Chiaroscuro, Alessandra Rossi and Adam Cruikshank, 2022, Leichardt, photo credit Inner West Council.

Macquarie Street East Precinct

The NSW Government is transforming one of Sydney’s iconic historical and culturally significant heritage precincts, Macquarie Street East (MSE), into a vibrant, connected and people-friendly arts, cultural and civic destination. Create NSW is supporting Property Development NSW in the delivery of public art for the precinct. See Department of Planning, Infrastructure and Environment.

Parramatta Light Rail

The Parramatta Light Rail is one of the NSW Government’s latest major infrastructure projects being delivered to serve a growing Sydney. Stage 1 of the Parramatta Light Rail will connect Westmead to Carlingford via the Parramatta CBD and Camellia with a two-way track spanning 12 kilometres, and is expected to open in 2024.

The route will link Parramatta’s CBD and train station to the Westmead Health Precinct, Cumberland Precinct, CommBank Stadium, the Camellia Town Centre, the largest museum in NSW Powerhouse Parramatta, the private and social housing redevelopment at Telopea, Rosehill Gardens Racecourse and three Western Sydney University campuses.

Artists have been commissioned to develop site specific installations at each stop. To find out more, visit Westmead to Carlingford.