Murals & public art

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

Council supports new mural projects in three ways:

Community Murals Program - Artist and community initiatives
Youth Urban Arts Project - Murals by young people working with professional artists
Neighbourhood Murals Project - Rotating through Council divisions.

1. Community Murals Program

Making a request for a community mural project

Artists and community groups who have an idea for a new work on a Council-owned or managed park or piece of land can submit a Community Mural Project application form online at any time.

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

Youth Urban Art Project

The Youth Urban Arts Project runs annually ,working with young people to revitalise a number of chosen sites. Council identifies sites throughout the region that would benefit from colour, creativity or new public art.

We call for expressions of interest from local artists and mural-makers early in each year then work with young people, community groups and artists to create murals and artworks that foster pride of place, connection, community pride and reduce graffiti vandalism.

Youth Urban Arts Project - 2026 Sites

Cairns North Pump Station, corner of Lily and Sheridan Street – By artist Loretta Lizzio and supported by Cairns Youth Council
Smithfield Library carpark wall – By artist Violet Shaban and supported by Department of Youth Justice (Transition 2 Success Program)

Youth Urban Arts Project - 2024 Sites

Trinity Beach, Vasey Esplanade amenities block – By artist Sharon Wedel and supported by Busy School Cairns
Edmonton, softball dugout, Walker Road sport precinct – By artist Cam Scale and supported by Department of Youth Justice (Transition 2 Success Program)
Redlynch, pedestrian and cycle underpass, Redlynch Connection Road – By artist Violet Shaban and supported by AFL Cape York House for Girls

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 closed 31/05/2026.

Neighbourhood Murals Project 2026 Sites

Mirriwinni – Mirriwinni Hall at Niven Park, Greer Road, Mirriwinni (Div 1)
Redlynch skatepark amenities block, 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 the curator via email at TanksCurator@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