Our public art programme

Supporting and encouraging a culture of creativity and innovation promotes our sense of community, civic pride, and distinctive identity, and celebrates the whakapapa and history of mana whenua, tangata whenua and cultural identity through ngā toi Māori (Māori culture, creativity and arts).

Our public art is exhibited indoors in public buildings, and installed or created outdoors, often as part of our outdoor structures.

They include major artworks commissioned by Council, artist-designed elements integrated into Council developments, or community-led projects such as murals or temporary installations.

Council annually approves our public art programme[PDF 352 KB], which sets out a list of sites to install public artwork.

Our Public Art Panel is key to this, providing expert strategic advice to Council, assisting and advising on our public art programme, and commissioning major public artworks. Find out more about their role and members on our Public Art Panel page.

By encouraging, providing and managing public art, Council aims to:

promote Kāpiti Coast District's sense of community, civic pride and distinctive identity
acknowledge and celebrate the whakapapa and history of mana whenua and tangata whenua cultural identity through ngā toi Māori
provide opportunities for artists to work in and with communities in public places
encourage a culture of creativity and innovation in our community, adding to people's understanding and enjoyment of art, and introducing work from noted artists living and/or working outside Kāpiti
contribute significantly to developing cultural tourism and economic development in Kāpiti
acknowledge and celebrate Kāpiti’s diverse communities
provide opportunities for young people to lead or be involved in creating public art
integrate public art into public space design, including town centres, facilities and open spaces.

Council staff manage the Council’s public art programme, facilitate engagement, and provide support to the Public Art Panel.