Public art

Introduction | Auckland City's collection | Advisory Panel for Public Art (APPA) | FAQs

Introduction

Throughout central Auckland city there is an extensive collection of public art works including sculptures, statues, monuments, fountains, water features, mosaics and murals.

Cytoplasm by artist Phil Price. The sculpture was gifted to the city by Auckland City Sculpture Trust and installed in Waitemata Plaza in the Viaduct Harbour in late 2004. Auckland City is committed to supporting the development of public art as part of the vision to be a world-class city. We want a city that residents are proud of and that they will enjoy living in, and a city that visitors will be attracted to.

Great public art - like high quality urban design, great architecture, beautiful and well-designed public spaces, parks and streetscapes - is a vital component of any great city.

Public art plays many roles and provides important benefits, such as:

reflecting the city's unique identity, its cultural heritage, telling its stories;
fostering understanding of our history
creating a sense of place
contributing to the look, feel and amenity of public spaces, enhancing the liveability of the city
encouraging people to think, reflect, see something in a new or different way
stimulating debate and dialogue, challenging people to reflect on issues or ideas.

Our public art collection now includes over 200 art works, monuments, features and fountains and it is growing. There are many new developments planned for Auckland's parks, town centres, train stations and the CBD. Keep reading for more links, and information on some of our current projects, our policies and the collection.

Image: Cytoplasm by artist Phil Price. The sculpture was gifted to the city by Auckland City Sculpture Trust and installed in Waitemata Plaza in the Viaduct Harbour in late 2004.