Celebrating culture and connecting with Country

Newcastle is a creative city with vibrant public places for experiencing culture, connection and recreation.

We're providing opportunities for artists to create art within public spaces, and continuing to grow Newcastle's identity as an arts and cultural destination.

We've identified public art opportunities for culturally important sites including Newcastle Ocean Baths, Union Street Wickham, Bathers Way - King Edward Park and Market Street - East End.

These public artworks will allow cultural stories and knowledge to be shared, and provide opportunities for the broader community to connect with, and experience Country.

We know the procurement of public art is best served through collaboration, equal opportunity and transparency. We're inviting Traditional Custodians and Knowledge Holders to participate in guiding the development of public artworks to ensure they are meaningful, reflective and honour the heritage and stories of local Aboriginal communities.

We're also supporting culturally diverse artists at all stages of their career to create public art through an inclusive expressions of interest process, with opportunities for mentorship and professional development.

Public artwork locations

Scroll across to see all project locations.
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  • Newcastle Ocean Baths

    The Newcastle Ocean Baths and coastline hold deep cultural, historical, and spiritual significance for the Awabakal people and remain a cherished part of Newcastle’s identity.

    Learn more 

  • Union Street - Wickham

    The upgrade of Union Street will transform it into an inviting gateway to the heart of the precinct, celebrating Wickham’s distinctive character and identity.

    Learn more 

  • Bathers Way - King Edward Park

    King Edward Park holds enormous significance to Newcastle with its sweeping ocean views, much-loved gardens, and importance to Newcastle’s Traditional Custodians.

    Learn more 

  • Market Street - East End

    The long-term vision for the East End Village is to reinstate Hunter Street as a traditional high street and an attractive destination for locals and visitors, with outdoor dining and boutique retail opportunities.

    Learn more 

Learn more about the process

  • EOI: Traditional Custodians and Knowledge Holders

    We invited Aboriginal persons who have an interest in, or hold cultural knowledge of local Newcastle sites to support the development of Aboriginal public artworks.

    Find out more 

  • Aboriginal Engagement

    Through the Representative Core Group, we'll engage with local Aboriginal communities to ensure the artworks are meaningful, reflective and honour the heritage and stories of local Aboriginal peoples.

  • Artist EOI

    We'll seek expressions of interest from Aboriginal artists to develop public artworks. There will be opportunities for artists at all stages of their career, including mentoring and professional development.

  • Concept design

    We'll invite shortlisted artists to prepare a concept design for the project specific public artworks. Each artist will receive a fee.

  • Artwork commissioning

    Successful artists will work with members of the Aboriginal Representative Core Group to further develop the artworks.

  • Detailed design and installation

    Artists will work with City of Newcastle project teams to progress the design, fabrication and installation.