Fund to strengthen Whanganui's art, heritage and culture

Street art from around Whanganui. PHOTO/ STUART MUNRO

Applications have opened for a public art fund worth $25,000 which will be administered by the Whanganui District Council.

The fund will support Whanganui's reputation as a place of art, heritage and culture.

The allocation of the fund was adopted by councillors as part of the council's 2017/18 annual plan and consultation process and will require matched funding.

A matched fund means successful grants will only be disbursed if an applicant finds the same amount of funding from another source.

Street art from around Whanganui. Photo / Stuart Munro

Council property and community services chairwoman councillor Helen Craig said Whanganui residents have been asking for more public art for years.

"We know we are a creative district and public art is the very visual representation of that," she said.

"It's hoped this fund will stimulate more Whanganui artists to experiment in this specific art form."

Ms Craig said public art creates interest and vibrancy and also grows a feeling of community, pride and belonging.

"The various murals that have appeared throughout the district in the last few years reflect that very well," she said.

"Castlecliff's Rangiora St is a great example of how the murals and the driftwood dinosaur add hugely to the rejuvenation of that suburb."

Street art from around Whanganui. Photo / Stuart Munro

The council's arts facilitator, Riah King-Wall, said the public art fund is designed to support the delivery of innovative and exciting public art in Whanganui.

"We are excited to see the broad scope of artworks that will be supported by the fund.

"Projects could include sculpture, street art, digital art, moving image or installations, or artists contributing to urban design developments for parks, streets, bridges, buildings and street furniture.

"It could even assist artists working with communities in public spaces," Ms King-Wall said.

Applications will be assessed twice yearly by the Public Art Steering Group to ensure they meet the criteria and outcomes of the Public Art Fund Guidelines.

The closing date for applications is 5pm on Thursday, May 3 for projects that will be completed between June 1 and May 31, 2019.

Street art from around Whanganui. Photo / Stuart Munro

Street art from around Whanganui. Photo / Stuart Munro

Street art from around Whanganui. Photo / Stuart Munro