Graffiti grants bringing colour to state's streetscapes

18 January 2023

The NSW Government is providing grants totalling more than $1.9 million to 23 councils across the state for projects to revitalise underused public spaces and prevent graffiti vandalism.

Attorney General Mark Speakman said the NSW Government’s Graffiti Management program is funding projects that activate public spaces, support local street artists and increase community perceptions of safety.

“The NSW Government is supporting councils to deliver tailor-made solutions for their streetscapes, drawing on grassroots knowledge and expertise to make public areas safer, more visually appealing and more enjoyable for their communities,” Mr Speakman said.

“We know street art in particular is an effective method of revitalising streetscapes, dramatically boosting community pride and deterring would-be offenders.

“It is fantastic to see councils workshopping ideas with their community for ways to engage local street artists in improving public spaces.

“I am looking forward to seeing the life and colour that these new projects will inject into streetscapes around our state.”

One of the Australia’s most respected and renowned graffiti and street artists, Tim Phibs, says public art has so many positive benefits beyond the purely visual.

Phibs has more than three decades of large scale walls to his name and several of his works have been acquired by the National Gallery of Australia for its permanent collection.

“Street Art contributes to creating unique vibrant communities, bringing pleasure and colour into the lives of residents,” Phibs said.

“I really believe that art is meant to be enjoyed by everyone and anyone. I’m very passionate about Street Art and educating and informing people about this art form - what it means to the people who create it and how it can add value to local communities.”

Successful projects funded under the current round of graffiti management grants include:

• the creation of large scale murals and street art including digital art
• artwork painted on more than 60 traffic signal boxes
• the installation of solar-powered lighting and weatherproof speaker systems (for playing music) in parks and walkways
• the planting of “green screens” with trees and shrubs
• the application of anti-graffiti coating to graffiti prone walls and street furniture.

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