FAQs
First Nations: Be led by, and respectful of, Whadjuk Nyoongar stories and culture.
Experience: Create meaningful cultural experiences for residents and visitors.
Incubation: Provide platforms, opportunities and infrastructure for artists.
Partnership: Be developed in collaboration with the community, creative sector and partners.
Enduring works such as permanent sculptures, memorials, integrated architectural features and large-scale murals.
Temporary projects like installations or artworks designed to remain in place for a few months up to a year.
Ephemeral works, including performances, light projections, or short-lived pieces such as sand drawings or ice sculptures.
Functional and site-specific works that double as seating, shade structures, or wayfinding elements.
New forms such as digital media, immersive installations, living artworks, or augmented reality experiences.
The City’s Percent for Art Policy (developer contributions).
Dedicated City budgets for arts and culture.
State and Federal grants.
Partnerships with business, tourism and creative industries.
The Action Plan sets out a pipeline of initiatives to maximise investment while ensuring artworks are well-maintained.Residents and visitors gain access to diverse, engaging and accessible artworks that enliven Fremantle’s streetscapes and public spaces.
Artists and creatives gain opportunities for commissions, temporary projects, exhibitions, and professional development.
Schools and young people can connect with new education kits, public art tours and creative learning experiences.
Businesses and developers benefit from enhanced precinct identity and cultural vibrancy, making Fremantle an attractive place to live, work and visit
A Public Art Trail with self-guided walking tours and digital access to artworks.
Annual walking tours, including accessible tours developed with partner organisations.
Artist talks and workshops for deeper engagement with the creative process.
Education kits for schools and youth groups.
Support for community-led projects such as murals and temporary installations.
Reviewing and updating the Percent for Art policy (2026).
Developing new Developer Guidelines (2026).
Launching a Public Art Trail (2026).
Delivering annual walking tours, artist talks and mural guidelines (from 2026 onwards).
Commissioning major works such as Kaarl Boyak Naariny in 2027.
Why is the City developing a Public Art Strategy?
The City of Fremantle has a long history of public art that reflects our diverse stories, landscapes and people. However it has been over a decade since the last Public Art Plan was adopted in 2012. The new Public Art Strategy 2025–2035 provides a clear framework for commissioning, curating and maintaining public art across the city over the next decade. It ensures that investment in public art delivers cultural, social and economic benefits, enhances Fremantle’s unique character, and builds on its reputation as a leading creative city. Importantly, it commits to the priorities set out in the City’s Arts, Culture and Creative Strategy 2024–34, including First Nations leadership, cultural participation, support for creative careers, and strong partnerships.
The Public Art Strategy 2025–2035 provides a long-term vision for embedding public art across Fremantle, with a 5-year Action Plan (2025–2030) setting out practical steps to bring that vision to life. It frames the public realm as a “living canvas” where creativity meets community, and every street, square and park can hold artistic meaning. The Strategy aims to enrich Fremantle’s cultural identity, amplify diverse voices, support artists, and strengthen Fremantle’s reputation as a leading creative city.
How does the Public Art Strategy link with the Arts, Culture and Creative Strategy?
The Public Art Strategy is a document that commits to the Arts, Culture and Creative Strategy 2024–34. All public art initiatives generated by the Public Art Strategy and Action Plan will be guided by the four key priorities in the Art, Culture and Creative Strategy 2024-34. These priorities are as follows:
What kinds of public art can Fremantle expect to see?
The Strategy supports a wide spectrum of public art, including:
Works will be both large-scale (e.g. iconic commissions that attract visitors) and small-scale (e.g. grassroots or temporary activations in local neighbourhoods). This mix ensures Fremantle remains innovative while also celebrating its history, environment and people, with public art that continues to be vibrant and accessible to all.
How will First Nations culture be included and reflected in public art?
The strategy aligns with the City’s Stretch Reconciliation Action Plan (WRAP) and the ACCS’s “First Nations First” approach. Public art will be guided by Whadjuk Nyoongar knowledge, with First Nations artists leading projects that tell their own stories. This includes ensuring culturally safe processes, meaningful engagement, and opportunities for First Nations-led programming, training and employment.
The Strategy places a strong emphasis on First Nations-led projects. It requires meaningful engagement with Whadjuk Noongar people, the Traditional Owners of Walyalup | Fremantle, to ensure artworks are culturally appropriate and relevant. Projects must involve First Nations artists or stakeholders who hold the appropriate cultural authority. Examples include the commissioning of Kaarl Boyak Naariny (Fire is Burning on the Rocks), a significant new permanent work led by First Nations artists, scheduled for delivery in 2027. The City also advocates for First Nations representation on selection panels to ensure both cultural and artistic expertise guide decisions
How is public art in the City funded?
Public art will continue to be funded through a mix of sources including:
How can developers get involved?
Developers play a central role through the City’s Percent for Art policy (LPP2.19), which requires new developments to contribute either artworks on-site or cash-in-lieu contributions. The Action Plan proposes new Developer Guidelines to ensure best practice commissioning and processes. The City works collaboratively with architects, public art consultants, and developers to achieve high-quality, site-responsive works that enhance urban renewal projects and precinct character
Who will benefit from the Public Art Strategy?
Public art enriches Fremantle by creating vibrant and distinctive places, encouraging community pride and participation, and improving liveability. It also has measurable social and economic impacts—enhancing wellbeing, boosting local business, and strengthening Fremantle’s role as a cultural destination. For visitors, public art deepens their experience of place; for locals, it fosters connection, storytelling and belonging.
The Public Art Strategy benefits a wide audience:
A strong focus of the strategy is incubation and career pathways. This means prioritising opportunities for local and emerging artists, providing fair payment and professional development, and linking artists with mentors, creative industries and cross-sector partners. Local artists will be supported through commissions, workshops, residencies and integration into major projects.
Who decides what artworks are commissioned?
The City will manage a transparent process involving expert curators, arts professionals, community representatives and Traditional Owners where appropriate. Commissioning will be guided by the strategy’s principles: cultural relevance, artistic quality, inclusiveness, sustainability, and alignment with Fremantle’s identity.
Commissioning decisions are guided by the Public Art Advisory Group (PAAG), which consists of six external members (artists, curators, designers, planners) and two City of Fremantle officers. The group provides specialist advice and makes recommendations to Council on project selection, artist commissioning, and policy development. PAAG ensures decisions are informed by cultural, artistic and industry expertise, with input from the community and stakeholders where appropriate.
How will the community be engaged with the Public Art Strategy and Plan?
Community connection is a key part of the Action Plan. Proposed initiatives include:
These activities are designed to strengthen people’s sense of ownership, pride and connection to Fremantle’s public spaces.
When will we start seeing new artworks in the City?
The Public Art Action Plan 2025–2030 sets a clear schedule. Early initiatives include:
Some projects are ongoing, like maintaining the collection and supporting artist-led temporary works, meaning the community will see both immediate and long-term outcomes.