Public Art

Melbourne is renowned for its Public Art Program, ranging from commissions to create art for unexpected corners of the CBD to exhibitions at the City Gallery or in the city's parks. The Public Art Program features both permanent and temporary works, making a walk around our city an ever-changing experience.

We value your interest and feedback for the City of Melbourne's Public Art Program. Please send your comments to publicart@melbourne.vic.gov.au. 

Laneway Commissions 2010
The City of Melbourne is now advertising for submissions for its 2010 Laneway Commissions program. Download the project brief below or call the City of Melbourne on 9658 9658. Submissions close Friday 22 January 2010.

Laneway Commissions 2010 project brief (PDF, 869kb)

Download the additional information sheet for Lingham Lane/Projector Site below or call the City of Melbourne 9658 9658.

Laneway Commissions 2010 information sheet (PDF, 262kb) 

The first public briefing will be held on Monday 30 November at 5:30pm in the Supper Room, Town Hall, Melbourne. Please RSVP to 9658 9658 or email publicart@melbourne.vic.gov.au.

Also see Laneway Commissions 2009.

Current artworks

Great Petition — Victorian Women’s Suffrage Public Art Commission: Launched in December 2008, the Great Petition public art sculpture by artists Susan Hewitt and Penelope Lee celebrates the 100th year anniversary of women’s right to vote in Victoria.

Signal Art Commission 2009: This year the City of Melbourne will open a new building and program called Signal, a youth arts centre for teenagers (13–20 years), in a historic railway building located on the North Bank of the Yarra River in the City of Melbourne.

maxims of behaviour: a kinetic light work by Alexander Knox. Set high among the billboards and signs of the eastern corner of the Bourke and Swanston streets intersection, at night, an ever-changing montage of abstract images animate the surface of Royal Mail House. Operational for the winter months only, maxims of behaviour has returned for June, July and August 2009.  

Laneway Commissions 2009: Melbourne's distinct urban topography offers a unique and dynamic space for the expression of its culture and identity. Since the Laneway Commissions commenced in 2001, the city's laneways have evolved into an ever-changing public gallery, inspiring artists and public alike to explore and redefine the urban environment.

Ecophene: In 2007, the City of Melbourne commissioned Ecophene by Karen Abernethy in collaboration with Kiko Gianocca. Located under Sandridge Bridge, Ecophene re-inhabits this site where the destruction of the Yarra Yarra's waterfall in 1883 had irreversible consequences for the river's ecology.

Download the Ecophene catalogue which includes a map, images, essay and comments from the artist:

 Ecophene catalogue (PDF, 1.2Mb)    

Information on previous artworks and outdoor public art is available upon request. Please Contact us online or call the City of Melbourne on (03) 9658 9658.

Permanent collection
 

The City of Melbourne also manages the Art + Heritage Collection, comprising 7000 objects and artworks. 

The indoor element of the Art + Heritage Collection includes items such as art, documents, photographs and memorabilia.  The City Gallery, located in the Melbourne Town Hall, draws on the collection for its exhibitions. 


The outdoor element of the collection includes 150 sculptures, memorials, monuments, fountains and drinking fountains located in Melbourne's public realm.

• Public artworks, descriptions and photographs (PDF, 4.6Mb)  Please note: this file is very large and may take some time to download over a slow connection.
• Public artworks, descriptions only (text only, 574kb)

Information on previous artworks and outdoor public art is available upon request. Please Contact us online or call the City of Melbourne on (03) 9658 9658.