Exploring Alternatives: Diverse Funding Options for Energised Communities

In the wake of the pandemic and bushfire relief initiatives, murals have had an absolute hey-day across Australian towns, transforming public spaces with vibrant colours and LOT’S of birds. While these murals bring a much-needed sense of beauty and identity, communities are now looking for more ways to make the most of public funding, ensuring their spaces remain engaging, dynamic, and ever-evolving.

But let’s pause for a moment before paying another artist to come in and paint over either an existing mural or a fresh wall when a town already has multiple new murals from within the last 5 years.

I know what you’re thinking. Isn’t painting murals my job? Or, if you’re another muralist reading this, asking “whaaah hang on, that’s my future mural you’re talking about not funding!” Yep, I’m sorry. I think it’s time to explore some fresh alternatives.

Here are some ideas that still promote community engagement, and cultivate a site-specific sense of identity while exploring both non-static (not “fixed” to the wall) and non-traditional street art alternatives.

1. Ephemeral Art Projects
Ephemeral art—intended to be temporary—offers a dynamic departure from permanent installations. These projects can range from installations designed to interact with their environment and change over time, light projections, sculptures created from organic materials, interactive sound and video displays, paste ups, environmental art and public space art projects specifically designed to disappear (See the incredibly powerful work titled “Ice Watch” by Olafur Eliasson featuring glacial ice melting in the public space for the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference COP26). The beauty of ephemeral art lies in its fleeting nature, inviting continual engagement and interaction. It encourages communities to experience art in a new light, while providing the opportunity to experiment with materials and themes tied to seasonal or event-driven concepts, ensuring an ongoing conversation between the artwork concept and the audience.

2. Community Engagement Projects
At the heart of community engagement projects is the idea of inclusivity. These projects prioritise local participation, inviting residents to actively contribute to creative endeavors that forge a deeper connection to their community. From art-making workshops and collaborative storytelling events, to public art installations where everyone has a hand in the process, these initiatives bring people together to create art that’s truly representative of the collective identity and spirit of the community. It’s about more than just creating artwork—it’s about building lasting relationships and shared experiences.

3. Art Festivals
Art festivals are a fantastic way to showcase the diverse talents within a community, blending visual arts, performance, music, and dance into one vibrant celebration. Whether organised on a local or regional scale, these festivals create a space where artists can present their work while engaging with the public. Festivals breathe new life into local economies, attract visitors, and foster a sense of pride within the community. It’s a win-win: the community thrives, and artists are given a platform to shine. P.S Live mural art within the festival space is a great talking point, just ensure you have meaningful conversations with the artists about where those artworks end up once the festival is over, and if there’s an opportunity to auction them off within the festival please be sure your artists are offered the option for a percentage of the funds raised to cover their intellectual property rights.

4. Youth-Focused Creative Projects
Investing in creative projects that centre around young people is one of the most impactful ways to empower the next generation. This is not about teaching them “how to draw”, these projects teach young people how to THINK creatively, how to problem solve, work in a team, and how to have a meaningful voice to contribute to their immediate environments with. From art workshops and youth-led public installations to mentoring programs, these initiatives build confidence, creativity, and leadership skills. Tailoring these projects to reflect the interests and experiences of young people ensures that they remain relevant, meaningful, and impactful. When we invest in the growth of young people, we’re not just enriching their lives—we’re also contributing to the cultural vibrancy of the community at large.

5. Public Space Revitalisation
Public space revitalisation goes beyond the traditional mural to involve creative interventions that breathe new life into outdoor areas. This could include interactive play spaces, themed gardens, or art incorporated into urban furniture like seating, lighting, and sculptures. These projects make public areas more functional, inviting, and visually appealing, encouraging greater use by residents and visitors alike. They’re a way to bring the community together and reimagine the spaces we use every day.

6. Digital and Virtual Art Initiatives
As digital technology continues to evolve, virtual art projects are emerging as a way to engage wider audiences, even beyond the physical boundaries of a town or city. Augmented reality installations, virtual galleries, and interactive online art experiences are revolutionising how we interact with art. These initiatives open up new ways for people to engage with art, complementing physical installations and reaching new visitors who may never have interacted with the community’s artistic offerings otherwise. The challenge lies in how to hold space for people to have meaningful human-to-human interactions within this space, rather than providing more reasons for hyper-isolation through intense screen engagement.

As we move forward, it’s clear that how we interact with public art is changing. By embracing new, temporary, and community-driven projects, we can keep our public spaces fresh, fun, and full of life. These alternatives help us think outside the box, bringing people together in exciting ways while keeping things relevant and engaging. Too often, local councils or schools with a bit of extra funding grab a random artist to quickly create a mural that doesn't really speak to the local community or the unique vibe of the space. The result? A piece of art that might look great, but doesn’t quite connect or feel meaningful. So, let’s move beyond those last-minute murals and explore fresh ways to make art an ever-evolving, community-driven part of our spaces.