Toolkits make it easier for artists to make their positive mark
Date published: 14 February 2018
Townsville artists and property owners will be able to add to the city’s growing street art collection with new toolkits approved by Council today.
The toolkits are designed to empower artists and property owners to pursue their own Council-approved street art projects.
They include information for property owners on finding and contracting an artist, and easy to follow instructions for artists on how to get their street art approved by Council.
Community and Cultural Development Committee Chair Councillor Colleen Doyle said the toolkits would make it easier for people to make their positive mark on the city.
“We already have an impressive collection of street art around our city with works by international, national and local artists that’s gaining quite a reputation in art circles,” Cr Doyle said.
“We want to make it easier for artists and property owners who are interested in street art to get their own projects off the ground by giving them all the information they need and streamlining the process.”
The toolkits are part of Townsville City Council’s Street Art Activation Framework which aims to take a proactive approach to street art initiatives throughout Townsville.
“Street art has huge benefits in terms of activating spaces, attracting visitors, and deterring illegal graffiti,” Cr Doyle said.
“By making the process easier, we’re giving people the opportunity to contribute to our city’s cultural development and making Townsville a more vibrant and attractive place to visit.”
Street Art Activation Working Group member Councillor Russ Cook said there had been a decrease in illegal graffiti since Council began its street art program.
“Council’s figures show that from 2015 to 2017 the number of recorded illegal graffiti offenses dropped from 511 to 376, and the number of tags fell from 362 to 96,” Cr Cook said.
“In terms of the associated clean-up costs there was a saving of over $44,000, so there’s a real financial benefit to encouraging legal street art projects as well.”
The Street Art Toolkits will be available from www.townsville.qld.gov.au.
