Minister for Territory and Municipal Services, Shane Rattenbury, has announced a new approach to graffiti and street art in the nation’s capital.
The Budget will provide $250,000 towards key measures in the ACT Government’s graffiti management Strategy. The Government will take a two pronged approach to remove unwanted graffiti at highly visible locations, while also providing dedicated resources to work with the community to coordinate new sites for legal graffiti or street art.
“I have seen how effective legal graffiti art sites can be in allowing artists to display their talents while breathing life into areas of the city that are traditionally disused. There are some great examples of this in the CBD, such as Tocumwal Lane which was an initiative of CBD Limited.” Said Minister Rattenbury.
“These legal street art sites are a valuable alternative approach as they provide artists with an opportunity to develop their skills, promote street art, bring colour to our city and aim to reduce unwanted graffiti.”
Minister Rattenbury said the ACT Government will shortly start work to review the government’s graffiti management strategy.
“There are currently 24 legal graffiti art sites across Canberra, mainly located under bridges and underpasses, showcasing the talents of street-based artists, some of whom now have works in the National Gallery of Australia,” said Mr Rattenbury.
“I am really keen for TAMS to work with businesses and local residents to identify other suitable sites which could brighten up public spaces and provide artists with an outlet for their creative expression.
“The first stage of the review will invite artists, members of the community and the police to a roundtable meeting to gain a better understanding of the issues and needs across Canberra.
“I’m really keen to engage the arts sector in the development of this revised strategy, and find a way forward that allows artists to create some really dynamic work in pockets of Canberra.
”The government is also committed to managing unwanted graffiti across the city, which currently costs the government around $500,000 per year. This funding boost will allow TAMS staff to respond to graffiti removal in key areas across the city.”
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