Public Art Collection

The City of Perth seeks to provide works of public art that deliver memorable experiences and draw visitors and tourists into the city. As a result, public art in Perth is entering a new and exciting phase of growth and activity.    

Commemorative Works

Commemorative works are a way to acknowledge, celebrate and remember the people, communities, places or events that are of cultural significance to the community.

Commemorative works can be in the form of a:

• Memorial or monument
• Statue
• Plaque
• Digital commemoration (E.g. An online biographical dictionary of significant people related to a place or an online map that captures significant stories about a place)
• Activities of a temporary nature (E.g. An annual memorial lecture or a guided walking tour of a place)

The City welcomes proposals from the community for new commemorative works. Commemorative works proposals are assessed under the City of Perth's Commemorative Works Policy (CP4.9) and the approval or decline of a proposed commemorative work is by resolution of Council.

To propose a new commemorative work, please read the Commemorative Works Policy (CP4.9) and complete the Commemorative Works Proposal Application Form.

For further information about commemorative works or to discuss a proposed commemorative work, please contact the City's Heritage Team via info@cityofperth.wa.gov.au or by phone (08) 9461 3333. 

Public Art Strategy

The City of Perth recently adopted a Public Art Strategy, and many new public artworks are being delivered in new developments across the City. The Strategy outlines the City's approach to public art in the lead up to Perth's bicentenary in 2029. Public art is also a key amenity for the people who choose to live and work in the city. 

This strategy aims to inform the development of public art for the City of Perth, to ensure it is recognised internationally as a city on the move and for its liveability, talented people, and centres of excellence and business opportunities.

Public Art Collection

The City of Perth regularly commissions public art in civic squares, streetscapes, parks and some unexpected places, recognising that the successful integration of site specific art enhances the enjoyment of the city experience.

By investing in the Public Art Collection, as well as commissioning temporary, ephemeral works, the City is a leader in the development of a rich cultural landscape, helping to create vibrant and active public spaces - essential for a safe and stimulating environment.

The City of Perth Public Art Collection has over 100 works of art distributed throughout the city's precincts (West Perth, East Perth, Northbridge and the CBD). The City continues to commission public works of art and facilitate significant private art projects within the boundaries of Western Australia's capital city, showing leadership and vision in its choices.

Our significant collection of major historic and contemporary public art works includes permanent and temporary installations; works in outdoor private and public spaces, on or within the fabric of buildings or in public foyers; traditional media (e.g. stone, bronze, wood, steel, ceramic), new media (e.g. light based, electronic and digital works), and environmental works (e.g. earthworks, landscape art); and functional works (eg. benches and fountains).

These commissioned works stimulate our thinking, deepen our sense of place and experience of space, and transform the places where we live, work, and play.

For more information on the City of Perth’s Cultural Collections, please contact our Cultural Collections team at Collections@cityofperth.wa.gov.au. If you have an enquiry about the City of Perth’s history & heritage, please contact our History Centre team at history.centre@cityofperth.wa.gov.au.