Community murals & public art

Mural projects can revitalise and restore our neighbourhoods, communities and public spaces.

Council supports new mural projects in three ways:

1. Artists or community groups who have an idea for a new work on a Council-owned or managed park or piece of land can submit an application form online at any time.
2. Annually, Council also calls for submissions to the Youth Urban Arts Project, which works with young people to revitalise a number of chosen sites.
3. Council delivers up to four new murals per year through the Neighbourhood Murals Project, rotating through Council divisions.

Neighbourhood Murals Project

The Neighbourhood Mural Project is an annual program delivering up to 4 new murals per year, rotating through Council divisions.

The project aims to improve liveability in Council divisions, revitalising and beautifying public assets by creating new vibrant and culturally relevant murals that reflect the unique character of each neighbourhood while simultaneously supporting the local arts industry, developing public art practitioners in the region.

Artists are supported to engage with community stakeholders to participate in the creation of murals, fostering a sense of ownership and pride in their neighbourhoods while aiding the artist to fulfill the curatorial brief ensuring that murals are themed to reflect local history.

Murals are commissioned through open Competition Acquisition Model outlined in Council’s Strategy for Public Art and Placemaking. Applications close 31/05/2026.

Neighbourhood Murals Project  2026 Sites

• Mirriwinni – Mirriwinni Hall at Niven Park, Greer Road, Mirriwinni (Div 1)
• Redlynch – Amenities block at Redlynch Skatepark, 19 Tenni Street, Redlynch (Div 6)

The Neighbourhood Murals Project is funded by Cairns Regional Council.

Artist Callout

Opportunity for mural artists: 2026 Neighbourhood Murals Project, RFQ-0462

Cairns Regional Council invites quotations from artists to design and deliver murals on two locations around Cairns LGA for the 2026 Neighbourhood Murals Project. Artists are invited to submit for one, some or all two of the locations.

Enquiries

Tender enquiries, questions or clarifications should be directed to Helia Ghasemzadeh, Visual Arts and Placemaking Officer via email at Helia.Ghasemzadeh@cairns.qld.gov.au

Lodgement of Submissions

Completed responses can be lodged at online using the response forms within the tender documentation. Alternatively, see the information (attached) and submit completed response documentation via email to tender@cairns.qld.gov.au

Closing Time and Date

The tender closes at 11.30pm, Sunday 31 May 2026. Submissions must be fully received by this time. Late or verbal tenders may not be accepted and will be subject to Council's sole discretion.

Neighbourhood Murals Project - 2025 Sites

• Mt Sheridan - Amenities block Tom Murray Park
• Manunda - Amenities block Endeavour Park
• Aeroglen - Amenities block Touch Park

Neighbourhood Murals Project - 2024 Sites

• Kewarra Beach – Amenities block at Pelican Park, Kewarra Street
• Babinda - Amenities block at Anzac Park, Munro Street
• Smithfield - Amenities block/ Cairns Mountain Bike Clubhouse, 88 McGregor Rd
• White Rock - Amenities block at Bak Park, Progress Rd

Making a request for a community mural project

The application form seeks details including site location, who you have consulted about the idea, key stakeholders involved, budget, aims, objectives and personnel. Another important thing to consider is how the mural will be maintained and preserved into the future. Before submitting an application, please contact the Tanks Arts Centre to discuss your idea.

Email the Curator, Tanks Arts Centre

Considerations for new mural requests

Applications are assessed by a panel against several criteria.

• Location: identified and deemed appropriate, the mural should complement and enhance the character of the site and surrounding location.
• Process: project management including realistic timeframes, risk management, evidence of adequate stakeholder consultation and applicant's ability to deliver - the applicant should clearly define how and when the project will be undertaken as well as who will be working on the project.
• Artwork: appropriate content, scale, originality, type of paint and durability, compatibility to the proposed location, artistic merit, evidence of previous mural work - the applicant should provide a  sketch of the proposed artwork and indicate its intended scale.
• Budget: clearly outlined, feasibility and ongoing maintenance considerations. (Please note that Council is not obliged to fund or maintain murals therefore applicants should provide details of the project budget and identify all sources of funds.)

Assessment panel

An assessment panel is convened to assess each new application. If the panel approves the application, conditions are drafted and a contract is drawn up. Once the mural is complete, the mural is entered into the Cairns public art database. The assessment panel consists of:

• Local Councillor
• Curator
• Asset Owner
• Senior Investigations Officer, Infrastructure Services

Apply online to develop a community mural