Council adopts new art rules

BALLARAT’S public art will be governed by a new policy for the next four years after council adopted the document at its meeting last Wednesday.

Cr Belinda Coates said key changes made to the document respond to past “complex” issues.

“What we have in front of us is a really comprehensive and contemporary public art policy which is great to see, and it does address a number of issues that… have lacked clarity in the past,” she said.

“It’s great to see the breadth of it in that it builds in flexibility and ability for an innovative approach even with funding as well.”

Key changes include replacing the master plan with four operational documents concerning curation, collection management, governance and contributions guidelines, as well as specific management advice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art.

“It’s great to see strong recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture in our policy front and centre,” Cr Coates said.

The new policy also builds on consultations held with the public last year, with 80 people participating through round table discussions, interviews or online surveys.

The City’s public art collection is made up of over 120 works with an estimated value of more than $10 million.