Putting your Best Foot Forward for Public Art Opportunities

Have you ever looked at a public art opportunity and thought, ‘I’d love to apply for that… but I have no idea where to start’?

This workshop will provide practical knowledge and the tools needed to enable creatives to gain confidence through understanding how to effectively respond to public art commissions.  It will cover how public art projects are commissioned, what assessors and stakeholders are looking for, and how artists can present strong, compelling proposals that communicate both creative vision and practical feasibility. Participants will gain insight into the role public art plays in shaping identity, placemaking, storytelling, and community connection.

By the end of the workshop, participants will:

• Understand what public art is and how it functions

• Gain insight into the public art commissioning process, including timelines, stakeholders, budgets, and selection criteria.

• Learn how to read, interpret, and respond effectively to a public art brief.

• Develop practical skills for preparing proposals, including artist statements, concept designs and descriptions, and budgets.

• Build confidence in presenting ideas and speaking about their practice.

• Better understand some of the challenges and considerations in public art projects.

• Leave with practical tips, resources, and a clearer understanding of how to position themselves for future public art opportunities.

Date: Thursday 11 June 2026

Time: 9:30am - 11:30am

Where: The Kollective, 145 17th Avenue, Tauranga

Cost: $23

This workshop will be facilitated by Arohanoa Mathews who has a background in fine arts, public art advisory and delivering public art commissions.