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FAQ

What is the purpose of this engagement?
What is Public Art?
What could be Public Art in Unley?
Why is a Public Art Strategy being prepared?
What will happen with my feedback?
What happens next?
Where can I get more information?

    What is the purpose of this engagement?

    The purpose of this engagement is to seek your ideas regarding public art in the City of Unley to assist in the development of our new Public Art Strategy.

    Community engagement is a critical step in this project and your comments will be taken into consideration to inform Council's decision making.

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    What is Public Art?

    Public art can contribute significantly in deepening a community’s sense of connection to place, expressing identity, enhancing the urban environment, as well as amplifying the quality of a construction outcome through improving the aesthetic, sensory and cultural value of a site, space or built structure.
     
    Public art is a broad term that refers to a range of sculptural, installation or programmed artistic works in the public realm. Public art can be enduring in the form of iconic, stand alone works, integrated artistic elements, temporary installations, performance or media works.
     
    The intent of public art may be to provoke a particular sentiment,express a certain narrative - including an abstract narrative, be decorative, interpretive, commemorative or functional.
     
    The South Australian Government through Arts SA encourages the commissioning of high quality public art by South Australian artists.
     
    High quality and artistic merit relate to innovation, creativity, vision, originality, the power to communicate as well as the highest standards of production, presentation, research and professional development.
     
    Trish Hansen Manager Public Art & Design, Arts SA
     
    The strongest public art outcomes are achieved through the installation of works developed specifically in response to a site and considers the scale, material, form and context. The purchasing of works for installation is not considered best practice.
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    What could be Public Art in Unley?

    Public Art(s) in Unley is not simply the buying of assets, but the creation of ideas, experiences and culture, with a value that far exceeds the cost of the works...By encouraging, fostering and ultimately involving the community in Public Art(s) a new creative culture can be grown in the City of Unley.
     
    The Public Art(s) Strategy will provide a framework which enables Council, artists, stakeholders and the community to create, craft, make
    and engage in the City of Unley.
     
    Warwick Keates, WAX Design
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    Why is a Public Art Strategy being prepared?

    Public art is an integral part within any flourishing and liveable city to boost and support culture and artistic endeavour.

    Council's new Public Art Strategy is aimed at:

    • Developing a set principles for the future of public art(s) in the City of Unley
    • Providing opportunities for artists in creative place activation projects using ephemeral, temporary and permanent public art(s)
    • Encouraging activation of artistic, creative and innovative endeavours throughout the City
    • Increasing awareness among key stakeholders of the value and role of public art(s) - Creates an art(s) culture which welcomes critical and stimulating thinking, new ideas, challenging concepts and development
    • Respecting and enhancing the cultural heritage of the City of Unley
    • Celebrating the diverse cultural history and strong community identity of the City of Unley
    • Creating a process for educating, promoting, evaluating Public Art(s) Policy, Strategy and Action Plan
    • Setting directions which encourages the integration of art(s) at all levels of Council
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    What will happen with my feedback?

    Your feedback will be recorded and considered by the project team in the development of the Public Art(s) Strategy.

    This information is proposed to be presented to both Councils for a final decision in March 2014.

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    What happens next?

    After consultation concludes, the all feedback will be reviewed and considered by the project team and incorporated into the development of the Public Art Strategy.

    Following this, the next stages of the project include:

     

    • ResearchandSiteAnalysis (December 2013)
    • Consider Opportunties for Art(s) (December 2013)
    • Draft Public Art(s) Framework and Plan (January 2014)
    • Community Engagement (Late February 2014)
    • Finalise Public Art(s) Plan (March 2014) 

     

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    Where can I get more information?

    This plan is being developed by Wax Design, in conjunction with key staff from the City of Unley, along with input for consulting artists.

    For further information please contact Council's Cultural Development Coordinator, Matthew Ives, on 8372 5111 or mives@unley.sa.gov.au

     

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