Skip to main content

                    Creative Hoardings Trial

                    Temporary fencing in front of a building decorated with artwork.
                    We’re transforming the facades of construction sites into vibrant creative spaces with our new Creative Hoardings trial.

                    ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Melbourne is renowned as Australia’s cultural and creative capital. We’re committed to working with local artists and diverse industries to find opportunities for creative expression and activation across our city – including an ever-growing list of exciting construction projects.  

                    The 12-month opt-in Creative Hoardings trial works collaboratively with local artists and developers to transform construction sites into vibrant creative spaces, adding colour and storytelling to Melbourne’s streets.

                    We have a range of support to help developers take part in the trial, including: 

                    • Council-commissioned artworks which can be printed and installed on hoardings.
                    • Access to a panel of interested and suitable artists for new commissions.
                    • Advice on commissioning artwork independently, including guidelines, sample contracts, advice on fees and a review process.

                    Our Creative Hoardings trial will provide insights that will determine if the program should be rolled out more widely in the future.

                    Read our Developer Guidelines below and get in touch with us today to learn how you can enhance the visual appeal of your site, support local artists and contribute to the future of Melbourne’s creative hoardings program.

                    This trial aligns with City of Melbourne’s strategic objective; Melbourne’s unique identity and place, which prioritises celebrating and protecting the places, people and cultures that make Melbourne a unique, vibrant and creative city.​​

                    You can explore the commissioned works below. ​

                    Frequently asked questions

                    How will the trial work?

                    ​The Creative Hoardings trial will operate on an opt-in basis and will run for 12 months. The trial will provide insights to determine if the program should be rolled out more widely in the future. 

                    The trial seeks to work collaboratively with developers and focuses on commercial construction projects longer than 12 weeks. 

                    Creative Hoardings will enhance the look and feel of our streets, they add character and vibrancy as well as improve the quality of experience for visitors, workers and local businesses. ​

                    Will artwork be provided or do developers have to commission their own artwork?

                    ​We’ve commissioned unique artworks from local artists for developers to choose from. These artworks will be made available as high-resolution, print-ready files to download, print, and install.

                    If you wish to commission your own independent artist to design a new work, we have a range of support services to assist you including sample contracts, advice on fees and a review process, as well as a list of suitable artists from our database of more than 200 local artists with experience in producing murals. ​

                    How much does it cost to take part in the trial?

                    ​Developers taking part in the trial program can access the City of Melbourne-commissioned artworks free of charge however, costs associated with the layout, printing and installation of the artwork will need to be covered by the participating developer. The City of Melbourne will assist with advice and consultation.

                    Printing and installation can range from $100 to $120 per linear meter (30m hoarding is approximately $3500). This estimate includes site survey, sail track, printing and installation. It does not include permits or pedestrian or traffic control.

                    Please contact the Creative City team for further information on costs.​

                    How can developers take part in the trial?

                    ​Developers who are interested in taking part in the trial can notify the Creative City team at any time from the early stages of the construction application process to the time of installation of protective hoarding. 

                    Developers will be able to meet with the Creative Hoardings Project Officer to confirm artwork selection and correct customisation and installation of the artwork to their specific site hoardings.

                    For further details on artwork available and how to take part in the trial, download and read our Developer Guidelines or contact the Creative City team at publicart@melbourne.vic.gov.au​

                    Commissioned works​

                    Eric Jong

                    Through a LiDAR sparsely  

                    Created with lo-fi Photogrammetry and LiDAR, these scans of various locations in Melbourne unravel new, novel and unexpected ways of looking at the city. 

                    Eric Jong is a Melbourne based contemporary artist, primarily focused on the application of novel technologies as practice led research, exploring power and empathy through visual art.​

                      Computer generated images of building interiors.
                      Expand for full artwork.

                      Through a LiDAR sparsely

                      Computer generated images of building interiors.

                      Summary

                      Download the PDF.

                      ​Madeleine Joy Dawes  

                      Overlooking the Star (what’s chasing you?)  

                      Drawing its imagery from the Merri Creek labyrinth and the use of meditative repetition, this work creates a sense of slowing down in a fast paced and often disconnected city environment.

                      Madeleine Joy Dawes is a Melbourne artist whose practice focuses on durational repetitive drawing as a record of time and space.​

                        A textured grey artwork made of small pixels.
                        Expand for full artwork.

                        Overlooking the Star (what’s chasing you?)

                        A textured grey artwork made of small pixels.

                        Summary

                        Download PDF to view artwork in full.

                        ​Nina Sanadze

                        Reshaping Monuments  

                        Oscillating between the stillness and hardness, these luscious photographs challenge the traditional still life genre by introducing the hand of the artist and movement into the images.

                        Nina Sanadze is a Soviet-born (Georgia), Melbourne-based artist who works with photography, monuments, archives and political action dedicated to peace-building.​

                          Photographs of broken scultpures.
                          Expand for full artwork.

                          Reshaping Monuments

                          Photographs of broken scultpures.

                          Summary

                          Download PDF to view artwork in full.

                          ​Oslo Davis

                          The Readers

                          This work presents Melbourne as a city of readers, a UNESCO City of Literature. The work playfully celebrates diversity, absurdity and of course reading!

                          Oslo Davis is a Melbourne-based illustrator, artist and writer who does lively, witty work for both his own amusement and for publications and projects worldwide.​

                            Illustrations of people reading books in public.
                            Expand for full artwork.

                            The Readers

                            Illustrations of people reading books in public.

                            Summary

                            Download PDF to view artwork in full.

                            ​Patrick Pound

                            The Resistors

                            Sourced from his expansive private collection, these highly accessible everyday amateur found photographs are both amusing and moving. They make a game of the public and the private state of being in the city. Whether we are resistors, or compulsive photographers, we can’t help but be drawn into an interaction with these found photographs.

                            Patrick Pound is an artist working with an extensive archive of found photographs that are exhibited in whimsical and specifically curated and categorised collections.​

                              Several photographs of peopling hidingtheir face behind their hands.
                              Expand for full artwork.

                              The Resistors

                              Several photographs of peopling hidingtheir face behind their hands.

                              Summary

                              Download PDF to view artwork in full.

                              ​John Patten

                              Remembering 

                              John Patten is a Yorta Yorta and Bundjalung man, historian, cultural educator and artist. John creates artworks in many mediums, including in traditional ochre and bark, film, animation, digital illustration, large resin and steel public sculptures, and oil portraits.​

                                A Ben-day dot style artwork with illustrations of significant people.
                                Expand for full artwork.

                                Remembering

                                A Ben-day dot style artwork with illustrations of significant people.

                                Summary

                                Download PDF to view artwork in full.
                                  Was this page helpful?

                                  If you'd like to give more feedback or ask a question, please contact us.