Released 09/06/2021
The ACT Government is further supporting artists and local businesses through a new street art festival to be held in the City and Braddon in November this year.
Minister for Transport and City Services Chris Steel said the Surface festival will see blank surfaces on buildings and laneways throughout our city become canvases for colourful urban creations.
“The festival will help enliven the streets and laneways of our city, as well as seeing some feature pieces appear in Canberra’s suburbs,” said Minister Steel.
“Local and interstate artists will work across three days painting walls with colourful, textured and wild surfaces. The works will showcase a diversity of themes and subjects, including portraits.
“Urban art brings colour and vibrancy to Canberra. The ACT Government has worked closely with local artists over the past 12 months to see artwork and murals painted across the city. This festival will add exciting new pieces into the mix.”
The name Surface was chosen as the festival will encourage Canberrans to dive beneath the surface of each mural to explore its meaning.
The festival will be designed for people to wander through Braddon and Civic to observe artworks being painted and get involved in public events across the weekend.
This will help bring more foot traffic to some of Canberra’s key business precincts, helping support the ongoing COVID-19 economic recovery.
Expressions of interest have been targeted to relevant organisations to help shape the festival, with opportunities available to host workshops, panel talks, exhibitions, and tours in a COVID-safe way.
A broader expression of interest process for participation in the festival will remain open until 18 June 2021.
Event producer Tim Phibs will help deliver the festival with previous experience in hosting similar events on the NSW south coast and in Sydney at Cronulla.
Mr Phibs has previously developed large scale artworks in various locations across Canberra and is looking forward to partnering with the ACT Government to make the Surface festival a success.
“Urban art has found its place in our lived environments, transforming the urban landscape, enriching, beautifying, and stimulating interest and pride in shared communal spaces,” Mr Phibs said.
“It also makes a positive economic contribution to communities by enhancing areas and creating social destinations.”
The festival production team is currently working with local stakeholders to identify artists and potential walls that will be painted in the Braddon and Civic areas, as well as negotiating with wall owners. Locations will only be included in the festival with the full consent of property owners.
The location of these walls will be announced closer to the festival with a target of at least 15 walls being identified. A program of events, the locations in Braddon and Civic and the artist line-up will also be announced in the lead up to festival once artists have been selected for these walls.
The Surface festival will run from Friday 5 November through to Sunday 7 November 2021.
For information on the expression of interests visit: cityservices.act.gov.au.
- Statement ends -
Chris Steel, MLA | Media Releases