Council committed to future of city's street art
Date published: 29 March 2017
Townsville can expect to see more creative, colourful street art in the near future with council’s Street Art Activation Working Group appointed.
Council’s Community and Cultural Development Committee this week endorsed the following council and community representatives:
- Councillor Russ Cook
- Council’s Public Art Officer
- Council’s Exhibitions and Collections Coordinator
- Creative Director Galleries
- Queensland Police Service representative
- Rachel Cook – Youth Network and Member of Inclusive Communities Advisory Committee
- Youth Justice representative
- Lucy Downes – CBD business owner
- John Bradshaw – artist
- Kennie Deaner – artist
- Nicky Bidju-Pryor – artist
Community and Cultural Development Committee chair Cr Colleen Doyle said the working group consisted of diverse representatives that each brought specialised expertise, experience and fresh ideas to council around the activation of street art within Townsville.
“Through the Street Art Activation Framework we want to adopt a proactive approach to street art initiatives throughout Townsville, because street art has such huge potential to activate spaces, attract visitors and deter graffiti among the many benefits,” Cr Doyle said.
“This is about celebrating and recognising the value of street art as an artform.
“Our city already boasts a number of impressive street art murals from local, national and international artists such as The RUN Collective, Lee Harnden, Beastman, Baby Guerrilla, ROA and Adnate that have already proven very popular with locals and visitors alike.
“As a group we will undertake much of the investigative and detailed work that will inform council for its decision making around street art.”
Cr Doyle said she was especially excited to have local indigenous artist Nicky Bidju-Pryor on the group.
“Nicky will provide fantastic guidance and input from his unique perspective as an indigenous street artist and we look forward to his involvement,” she said.
The group will meet once every two months.
The committee recommendation will go to the next full council meeting for approval.
