The Public Art Fund, a dedicated initiative by the Tauranga City Council, supports the creation of public art accessible to all. Whether located on public or private property, public art encompasses sculptures, murals, mahi toi, architectural works, mosaics, digital media, performance art, and more.
Applications are open year-round with specific funding round dates announced in advance. Projects with budgets up to $30,000 are reviewed bi-monthly, while those exceeding $30,000 are reviewed quarterly. There’s no cap on the amount you can request.
For application guidance, refer to the Public Art Framework and the Public Art Community Toolkit.
The fund is open to artists, art commissioners, and community organisations. However, projects that have already received funding or sponsorship from Tauranga City Council are ineligible.
To qualify, projects must contribute to one or more strategic outcomes:
- Enhance the city’s distinctiveness through world-leading public art
- Integrate art and design into infrastructure projects from the start
- Add vibrancy to the city through community and temporary public art
- Enrich the public art experience through interpretation and promotion
Applications opened on 23 July 2024 and close on 27 August 2024.
For application questions, contact Tauranga City Council’s Public Art team at publicart@tauranga.govt.nz or seek independent advice from Creative Bay of Plenty.
