Public Art Fund

Castlecliff court mural by Mike Marsh with support from Progress Castlecliff and Fleet Line Markers, 2023. Image courtesy Whanganui Chronicle

How do I Relate with Nature, by Ivan Vostinar at the Bason Botanic Gardens, 2022

He Ara Pūtiki

Detail of He Ara Pūtiki by Waiora Marama with Horizons Regional Council, 2025

Love our Sealife by Jack Marsden-Mayer for Department of Conservation, 2020

Whanganui Walls

Mural by Elliot Frances Stewart for Whanganui Walls, 2019

The Public Art Fund supports artists to deliver innovative, site-specific and engaging public art for Whanganui communities.

Applications dates

Open: Thursday, 22 April 2026
Close: Friday, 22 May 2026

For projects that take place between 22 June 2026 and 22 June 2027.

Eligible projects could include, but are not limited to:

• Sculpture, kinetic art, pou whenua, sound art, light sculpture, environmental art, mural art, digital art, moving image and installation.
• Artists contributing to urban design developments (such as parks, streets, bridges, buildings and street furniture).
• Temporary public art activities and events, such as performance artworks, time-based sculpture, projections, paste-ups, media arts, and movable works.

Application process

Crafting your project

When project planning, we recommend reading the Public Art Fund Guidelines(PDF, 3MB) before booking a time to discuss your idea with the fund manager

The Public Art Fund Guidelines contain important information such as assessment criteria and details to consider in your application.

As part of the application process, the fund manager will provide advice on what you will need to consider as part of your application and project plan, how to best present your ideas on paper and what supporting material you will require.

Please note: The Public Art Fund requires match-funding equal to the amount you are requesting from the fund. This means in-kind or financial support from community stakeholders or sponsors is an application requirement. This support may cover the material, fabrication, or installation costs.

Applications are assessed by the Public Art Steering Group to ensure they meet criteria and reflect the desired outcomes of the Public Art Fund Guidelines(PDF, 3MB) and Arts and Culture Strategic Plan 2019-2029.

How to apply

Download an application form(PDF, 3MB)

Email the completed form to anique.jayasinghe@whanganui.govt.nz

Or post to
Public Art Fund
Whanganui District Council
PO Box 637
Whanganui 4541

For further information or enquiries, please contact the fund manager

Recent grant recipients