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

See below for current public art opportunities for artists.

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 Transport for NSW 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 Events and Culture (PDF 3.32MB)

PRUAIP public art commissions to date include:

Images clockwise from left: 

• Petersham Escarpment, Simon Reece, 2022, Leichardt, photo credit: Inner West Council
• Badu Bayumi, Dennis Golding, 2022, Auburn North, photo credit Hollywood Studios
• Moto Baccio, Karl Meyer, 2022, Leichardt, photo credit: Inner West 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.