Mural Alternatives: Diverse Funding Options for Energising Communities

Now before I get into this, it’s really important to acknowledge the role of street art to assist in making safe space. Street art has a bloody powerful role in creating safer, more connected urban spaces. It beautifies environments, fosters a sense of pride, encourages community engagement, and transforms areas into welcoming cultural expression.

It can, anyway. So, what am I on about offering up diverse funding options?

Well, in the wake of the pandemic and bushfire relief initiatives, murals have had an absolute hey-day across Australian towns, transforming public spaces with vibrant colours and LOT’S of birds (haven’t you noticed? You will now).

While these murals can provide a much-needed sense of care and social identity, and - hopefully in turn - social cohesion, I’ve been politely swallowing this growing gulp that mural's have become another bandaid fix.

In towns where murals have become a prominent feature of the local landscape, commissions for murals are sometimes seen as a way to attract tourism or enhance the "vibrancy" of a location, often as part of a broader branding strategy. While these projects can bring aesthetic improvements, they are sometimes used as a superficial fix for deeper social and economic issues like gentrification.

The aim is often to beautify areas to appeal to more affluent residents (or visitors), which can inadvertently raise property values and push out lower-income residents. This has led to concerns that murals, while positive in many ways, can become tools for advancing gentrification by contributing to the "urban renewal" of poorer areas, often without addressing the underlying causes of displacement​ (- ArtsHub Australia, The Urban Developer)

Regarding the role of street art in Australia's rising cost of living, it's been suggested that murals, particularly in gentrifying suburbs, have both beautified areas and highlighted social issues, drawing attention to the changing dynamics of those spaces. In cities like Melbourne and Sydney, gentrification has spread to areas further out from the central business districts, where property values are driven up by both urban renewal projects and the increasing popularity of street art. This can sometimes push out long-standing residents who can no longer afford to live in the newly “revitalised” areas​ (- The Urban Developer).

But this isn’t specific to Australia, in fact this is all relatively new here. In this article a student from Boston, USA reports findings from a town in Spain being impacted in the same way:

She professed her concern of not being able to live there anymore as housing prices were increasing due to people like us touring her hometown to see the street art. The increase in housing prices that this lady was experiencing was due to gentrification caused by the addition of beautiful street art to her low-income neighborhood. - “Beauty and Pain: Street Art’s Contribution to Gentrification” The McMullen Museum of Art's Student Publication, The Terrace

While street art has become a celebrated feature of Australian towns, it’s important to recognise its role in the broader socio-economic changes occurring in these areas. These changes often come at the cost of affordability for the original, often lower-income, communities.

So, come. Let’s pause for a moment before commissioning another artist to come in and paint.

(I know what you’re thinking: isn’t painting murals your job? Or, if you’re another muralist reading this, you’re probably thinking “whaaah hang on, that’s my future mural you’re talking about not funding!” Yep, sorry mate.

I think it’s time to explore some fresh alternatives.

Here are some ideas that still promote community engagement, and cultivate a site-specific sense of identity while exploring both non-static (not “fixed” to the wall) and non-traditional street art alternatives.

1. Ephemeral Art Projects
Ephemeral art—intended to be temporary—offers a dynamic departure from permanent installations. These projects can range from installations designed to interact with their environment and change over time, light projections, sculptures created from organic materials, interactive sound and video displays, paste ups, environmental art and public space art projects specifically designed to disappear (See the incredibly powerful work titled “Ice Watch” by Olafur Eliasson featuring glacial ice melting in the public space for the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference COP26). The beauty of ephemeral art lies in its fleeting nature, inviting continual engagement and interaction. It encourages communities to experience art in a new light, while providing the opportunity to experiment with materials and themes tied to seasonal or event-driven concepts, ensuring an ongoing conversation between the artwork concept and the audience.

2. Community Engagement Projects
At the heart of community engagement projects is the idea of inclusivity. These projects prioritise local participation, inviting residents to actively contribute to creative endeavors that forge a deeper connection to their community. From art-making workshops and collaborative storytelling events, to public art installations where everyone has a hand in the process, these initiatives bring people together to create art that’s truly representative of the collective identity and spirit of the community. It’s about more than just creating artwork—it’s about building lasting relationships and shared experiences.

3. Art Festivals
Art festivals are a fantastic way to showcase the diverse talents within a community, blending visual arts, performance, music, and dance into one vibrant celebration. Whether organised on a local or regional scale, these festivals create a space where artists can present their work while engaging with the public. Festivals breathe new life into local economies, attract visitors, and foster a sense of pride within the community. It’s a win-win: the community thrives, and artists are given a platform to shine. P.S Live mural art within the festival space is a great talking point, just ensure you have meaningful conversations with the artists about where those artworks end up once the festival is over, and if there’s an opportunity to auction them off within the festival please be sure your artists are offered the option for a percentage of the funds raised to cover their intellectual property rights.

4. Youth-Focused Creative Projects
Investing in creative projects that centre around young people is one of the most impactful ways to empower the next generation. This is not about teaching them “how to draw”, these projects teach young people how to THINK creatively, how to problem solve, work in a team, and how to have a meaningful voice to contribute to their immediate environments with. From art workshops and youth-led public installations to mentoring programs, these initiatives build confidence, creativity, and leadership skills. Tailoring these projects to reflect the interests and experiences of young people ensures that they remain relevant, meaningful, and impactful. When we invest in the growth of young people, we’re not just enriching their lives—we’re also contributing to the cultural vibrancy of the community at large.

5. Public Space Revitalisation
Public space revitalisation goes beyond the traditional mural to involve creative interventions that breathe new life into outdoor areas. This could include interactive play spaces, themed gardens, or art incorporated into urban furniture like seating, lighting, and sculptures. These projects make public areas more functional, inviting, and visually appealing, encouraging greater use by residents and visitors alike. They’re a way to bring the community together and reimagine the spaces we use every day.

6. QR Code Scavenger Hunts:
Art-based scavenger hunts where people scan QR codes located near artworks or installations. These codes can trigger multimedia experiences (audio guides, storytelling, etc.) but also encourage participants to walk around and engage with the art in person, fostering a sense of exploration and community interaction.

7. Interactive Public Installations:
What about immersive, physical installations that respond to touch or movement? Like using motion sensors or sound-triggered lights to activate elements of a mural or sculpture can create a more tactile and engaging experience. These installations encourage people to interact with art physically, promoting social connection and exploration without isolating individuals behind screens.

These are just a few ideas, and I’d really like to open up the conversation for more. If you have experience in this field or want to challenge the status-quo, please get in touch. Let’s chat!!