PUBLIC art around Tamworth is capturing the town’s eyes and its imagination, with a locals loving the latest additions.
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The Tamworth Regional Art Collective is putting the finishing touches on its latest projects in the CBD, rendering a new face on electrical substations in the CBD, with a nod to some local history.
The community’s growing appetite for public art hasn’t escaped the view of council’s arts and cultural advisory committee chair Glenn Inglis.
Cr Inglis, an experienced local government honcho, said Tamworth didn’t have a long history of producing public art, but he said the last decade had seen a “real maturing of the arts and cultural scene”.
It has matured to a point where the council is now investigating a “permanent annual program” of public art funding.
It’s a sign of a changing demographic in the town, Cr Inglis says pointing to the success of the new Capitol Theatre and council’s proposal for a new performing arts centre in the CBD.
Most of the submissions to council’s community strategic plan for the next 10 years, related to cultural matters, Cr Inglis said.
In years gone by, the submissions were dominated by roads, bridges and infrastructure.
“There is an interest and value in arts,” he said.
“When I talk to new arrivals, that comes up.
“Especially among professionals, it’s important there’s a conservatorium, a performing arts theatre, shows and an art gallery.”
In the past, council may have copped flak for investing in public art, but Cr Inglis says the recent additions have purpose and meaning.
“What we’ve invested in recently is recording local history and heritage, that’s what I like about it,” he said.
Crime prevention working group chair Russell Webb says public has been absolutely successful in stamping out problems with graffiti.
“Murals in places where people have tended to graffiti have been good,” he said.
“They tend to leave it alone.
“The work that is done is is professional and talented.”
Cr Webb said public art had and overall impact of making the city more desirable for newcomers.
“The bits of public art in town make it more inviting,” he said.
“Attach that to local growth and job opportunities, it makes the community more attractive.”