In Australia, state and local governments play a key role in the implementation and delivery of public art programs. Integrating public art into building projects and public places can contribute to the transformation of our urban landscape.
The increasing popularity of public art in recent times is not only gaining momentum in Australia but also overseas. Today major cities across the world recognise the value of public art, not only as a marker of our cultural identity but also as a means to engage with the community. In some instances public art is used as a tool for political and cultural reconciliation.
However the term "public art" is not always well understood nor does the implementation of public art always meet best practice.
The term "public art" usually refers to contemporary art practice that occurs outside the traditional gallery or museum system. Public art can manifest in a wide range of activities and forms such as; performance, installation, site specific work, sculptures, community art, painting or conceptual art.
In the built environment, public art can also involve a highly diverse range of art and design integrated in building and public spaces. Examples range from seating and wall treatment to landscape and building design.
A best practice approach in integrated public art (i.e. art in public spaces) involves close collaboration between artist and architect as well as the community.
In order to protect the interests of the community and artists, some state and local governments have developed comprehensive public art policies, covering areas such as; education and employment and training, as well as preserving local cultural identity and history. These policies may include; promoting an awareness of a sense of place and local culture and heritage, protection of artists' intellectual property, encouragement of innovative public art models and training for the public art industry. The aim of these policies is to provide a meaningful cultural dimension and to allow idiosyncratic and memorable detail to important settings.
Some government public art programs also offer comprehensive public art implementation guidelines to assist architects, curators and artists to understand the environment in which they are working and to understand both the physical requirements and cultural dimensions of public art.