The City of Stirling is Western Australia’s largest Local Government Area covering over 105 square kilometres and 30 suburbs, ranging from Inglewood in the east, Given the diverse nature of Stirling’s geography and demographics, it is important that the City’s cultural activities, including future public art commissions, appropriately weave together the many stories and characteristics of each unique group and precinct within the City. Currently, the City manages an extensive public art collection and continues to invest in new commissions through the Public Art Policy, applicable to all City–led infrastructure projects.

As a result, over the coming years the City will be looking to commission a significant number of public artworks. To optimise this opportunity, a strategic approach has been taken so that future commissions are considered, site–specific and contribute to both the collection and to community life. A cohesive Masterplan, which identifies appropriate locations and typologies of public art, within each of the City’s precincts, sets this strategic framework.

Our scope of works required an in depth understanding of place and community. The resulting document clearly define a vision and curatorial themes for public art, followed by detailed information on opportunities within each precinct.

We looked beyond typical public art, to alternative forms of art and culture and how these can be embedded into the public realm and the community’s everyday life. Resulting in a practical document which will be implemented over the coming years, with the intent to continue to build a valued collection of public art.

• Engagement with a diverse community, ensuring that many voices were heard, required a tailored and creative engagement approach. Our approach blended online surveying (tailored to suit key stakeholder groups), a series of workshop sessions including with the City’s Noongar reference group, and pop up installations at City libraries and events. The result was an excellent quantity and quality of responses and feedback, which formed the basis of the Masterplan.