Public art can bring character, vibrancy, and identity to our shared spaces. It can also spark strong and differing opinions.

That is why Council is reviewing how public art is planned, delivered, and cared for into the future.

This conversation is not about one artwork. It is about the council’s overall approach.

What do we mean by public art?

Public art is more than large sculptures in outdoor spaces. Across our city, it includes a wide range of creative works you see every day, such as:

• Painted Stobie poles
• Murals
• Pavement inlays and mosaics
• Street furniture like seating or shelters
• Major commissioned sculptures.

Some artworks are created as part of major upgrades, while others are community-led projects developed with local artists, schools, or neighbourhood groups.

How big is our public art collection?

Our public art collection has grown over many decades.

Following a comprehensive Public Art Audit in 2022–23, Council identified 235 individual public art assets, some dating back to the 1960s. Since then, more than 15 new artworks have been installed across the city.

Over the past 12 years, public art has increasingly been incorporated into streetscape upgrades, redevelopment projects, and community initiatives.
Managing this diverse collection is a shared responsibility across several council teams, from planning and installation through to ongoing maintenance.

Why is the council reviewing public art now?

In 2021, Council approved the Arts and Cultural Development Action Plan 2022–25, which identified the need to:

“Review the Public Art Framework to investigate efficiencies, opportunities, demands and capacity challenges and develop a strategic approach for project hierarchy.”

To deliver on this action, we are seeking community feedback to help shape a new Public Art Policy.

This review will help guide how public art is planned, delivered, and maintained into the future.

Share your views

We want to hear your views on:

• Whether public arts adds value to your public spaces
• The types of public art that adds the most value
• Anything else you’d like to tell us about public art.

Your feedback will help shape the future approach to public art across the City of Onkaparinga.

Next steps

Following this engagement we will share what we heard on this page. Draft documents outlining council's approach to public art will then be developed and shared for feedback later this year. Be sure to 'follow' this page if you would like to receive email updates.