By Dominique Tassell
Southern Downs Regional Council has approved a public art policy and procedure, with one councillor making a significant amount of minor changes in the meeting.
The purpose of the new policy is stated in Council documents as establishing “Council’s role in arts and cultural development in the region’s public domain”.
It will do this by providing “a vision and framework identifying key opportunities and strategies for implementation, which drive arts and cultural development in the Southern Downs Region”.
It will also provide “a ‘blue print’ used by the Council to guide the decision-making on where to strategically best allocate the available resources”.
The draft Public Art Policy and associated procedure were presented to Council on the 16 June 2021, with feedback being collated and included in the draft released to the community.
During the month of July 2021, the revised draft Public Art Policy and associated procedure were released for public consultation, with eight responses being received.
The main feedback was for the community to have greater input into the selection of the Public Art Reference Group (“PARG”) and for the PARG to be an approval group, not just a group that recommends to Council.
“Council is committed to ensuring Public Art is sensitive to its environment and all proposals for Public Art and collections are subject to uniform evaluation processes.
“Public Art collected by Council will reflect community values and aspirations.
“Public Art commissioned or collected by Council represents important work held in trust for the public for the future.”
The document states that Public Art Policy will address the themes of infrastructure, community and lifestyle, and growth and opportunity.
The policy will ensure appropriately developed, maintained and enhanced community infrastructure, in which facilities and spaces are driven by the cultural aspirations of the users and the real needs of the programs and services are delivered.
The policy aims to create an environment where arts and cultural activities can.
The policy also aims to contribute to the development of the arts and cultural sector, within broader regional economic development activities, including promotion and cultural tourism, and enhancement of the economic viability of individuals and creative businesses working in the Southern Downs Region.
The document also laid out details of the Public Art Reference Group (PARG) and who would be on the group.
The document stipulates that membership must include both Stanthorpe and Warwick Art Gallery representatives.
Councillor Stephen Tancred raised 13 queries over the police and procedure, ranging from comma placement, to the definition of “community” in the documents, and whether funding groups like the Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF) should receive a mention on any relevant plaques.
Councillor Ross Bartley also brought forward a point about the effects of public domain, stating that if council had say over what was done with works on private property, then it was not privately owned.
Councillor Jo McNally moved the motion, stating she was glad see the policy and procedure before Council as it had been in the works for two and a half terms.
Councillor Marco Gliori seconded the motion, and it was moved unanimously.
