Western Australian Government Percent for Art Scheme Annual Report 2012–13

Table of contents 2 Message from the Acting Director General

Department of Culture and the Arts

3 Message from the Executive Director Building Management and Works

4 Executive summary

8 Management structure

10 Scheme operational statistics

11 Project completions

12 Focus projects

16 Artwork comments

17 Appendices

Cover and left: Wandoo Country by Monique Tippett at the Office of the Premier and Cabinet Room. Photo by Robert Frith, Acorn Photo. Commissioned by the Department of Premier and Cabinet.

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Message from Acting Director General Department of Culture and the Arts

The Percent for Art Scheme provides significant opportunities for the Western Australian arts industry, enriching the lives of Western Australians in all parts of the State.

Percent for Art is an innovative and energetic partnership between the Department of Culture and the Arts (DCA) and Building Management and Works (BMW) that encourages public art across all government departments and agencies, with increasing participation by emerging and Indigenous artists.

In January 2013, the Office of the Government Architect released a new policy for the built environment titled ‘Better Places, Better Spaces’, acknowledging the role played by public art in the planning and delivery of quality public building investments. The Scheme is a clear demonstration of the Government’s commitment to the value of public spaces and facilities and their importance in improving our sense of wellbeing.

This year has seen challenges for Western Australian artists with the closure of a number of well-established commercial art galleries. In this context it is gratifying to see the Scheme providing ongoing and significant opportunities for artists. It is equally gratifying to see artists at different stages of their careers engaging with the Scheme, a role central to the Department’s support of emerging artists through to late career practitioners.

This year’s annual report reflects this range, featuring artwork by relative Percent for Art newcomer Monique Tippett, through to collaborative artworks by noted public artist Anne Neil, a recipient of the 2012 Artsource Lifetime Achievement Award.

The longevity and success of the Scheme is testament to the strength of the partnership between DCA and BMW, the panel of arts coordinators who manage the individual projects, the artists, and to the agencies who commissioned the art projects.

Congratulations to the agencies that commissioned public art for their support and dedication to the Scheme through the past year. Their vision and early collaboration with the art coordinators and artists yielded the most successful and rewarding results. I strongly encourage all government departments and agencies commissioning new public buildings, restorations, or additions to existing buildings to consider adding to the State’s treasure trove of public artworks through the Percent for Art Scheme.

Alan Ferris Acting Director General Department of Culture and the Arts

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Message from the Executive Director Building Management and Works

The Percent for Art Scheme continued to contribute a high quality built environment element to public projects in 2012–13.

The year saw a new record in the number of commencements with 56 new commissions. The increase is largely due to the Department of Education introducing major Year 7 curriculum changes requiring an expanded building program at high schools and colleges, resulting in 29 projects across the State. This means many education facilities built prior to the Scheme are now receiving art commissions for the first time.

The Department of Finance, Building Management and Works and DCA continue to work closely, ensuring access to the Scheme’s contract frameworks across Government. Following several years of close cooperation between the Department of Finance and Main Roads Western Australia, MRWA has formally endorsed the public art policy.

This year’s program has started to benefit from a Department of Aboriginal Affairs initiative ‘The Aboriginal Business Development Directory’ that facilitates Aboriginal engagement with the Scheme. The new protocols simplify the process required for engaging Aboriginal artists on projects.

The near completion of the major program of public art at Fiona Stanley Hospital demonstrates the contribution of art works to improve the quality

of the health services environment. The artworks give the large complex a human scale and provide strong support to way-finding.

The new WA Children’s Hospital commissioned early in 2012 has commenced and the community is anticipating an exciting art portfolio that will specifically address the needs of children and young people in a health care environment.

The Percent for Art Scheme is uniquely structured in a way that allows local building stakeholders the opportunity to be intimately involved in selecting the artwork they will eventually own and enjoy. This approach has delivered strong community support for the program and enriched the built landscape for all Western Australians.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those involved in supporting the Percent for Art Scheme and in particular the dedicated project staff at the Department of Finance and the art coordinators who make it all possible.

Jennifer McGrath Executive Director Building Management and Works Department of Finance

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Executive summary The Western Australian Government Percent for Art Scheme has been operating since 1989 and is the longest running State Government public art program of its kind in Australia. The Scheme has been used as a best practice model locally and nationally and has been referenced by private developers and local government authorities keen to engage with art in the public domain.

The Scheme has much to celebrate, with over $44 million allocated to 523 artwork projects over its lifetime. During this financial year alone, $5.3 million has been allocated to 56 new art projects and the expenditure on 96 artworks in progress this year was $4.2 million. A third of these projects were delivered in regional and remote locations.

A number of local government and State authorities such as the Metropolitan Redevelopment Authority, Main Roads WA and the Public Transport Authority are delivering major public art projects based on the principles of the Percent for Art Scheme. This has seen a significant increase in the Western Australian public engaging with art in the built environment.

Public art enhances public spaces by drawing the viewer into a unique aesthetic experience that can lead to reflection on community values or an increased awareness of a particular space or environment. Regardless of the approach taken by the artist, the inclusion of public art sends a powerful message to the community that their full range of needs and aspirations are considered in the building of public infrastructure.

The Department of Education is a major commissioner of public art through the Scheme and continues to collaborate with artists and the school communities to enhance educational environments. Once again the Department commissioned the majority of completed projects with much of the activity related to the integration of year seven into senior school.

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The Western Australian State Government Percent for Art Scheme has been operating since 1989 and is the longest running State Government public art program of its kind in Australia.

Above and right: Skipping Stones by Anne Neil and Mark Datodi at Butler College. Photo by Anne Neil. Commissioned by the Department of Education.

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The Department of Health has also been a major contributor to the Scheme. Next year will see the completion of 10 projects for the Fiona Stanley Hospital and the ongoing process of planning and selection of public art for the New Children’s Hospital.

DCA and BMW have dedicated resources to manage, promote and advocate for the inclusion of up to one percent of a total public building expenditure towards commissioning public art.

The agencies maintain websites that promote the Scheme. Along with project archives, the DCA website presents case studies on selected projects featuring evaluations of the artwork as well as client and artist feedback.

An ongoing commitment has been made by both partners to identify strategies toward increasing the representation and involvement of Western Australian Indigenous artists and organisations in the administration and artistic delivery of the Scheme, through initiatives such as the new ‘Aboriginal Business Development Directory’.

Artists involved in the Scheme continue to make public art that is engaging, inspiring and reflective of our diverse and unique Western Australian community. There has been a continued emphasis on encouraging and fostering participation from emerging artists, guaranteeing that the Scheme retains its vitality into the future.

For further information on the Scheme and a summary of each project visit the following websites:

DCA http://www.dca.wa.gov.au/ DCA-Initiatives/spaces-and-places/ public-art/242/

BMW http://www.finance.wa.gov.au/ cms/content.aspx?id=3728

Right: I Change the Landscape and the Landscape Changes Me by Anne Neil and Gary Aitken at Baldivis Secondary College. Photo by Damien Hatton. Commissioned by the Department of Education.

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Artists involved in the Scheme continue to make public art that is engaging, inspiring and reflective of our diverse and unique Western Australian community.

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Management structure A Management Group meets on a quarterly basis to review work and set future directions and strategies for implementation of jointly endorsed priorities. It aims to work towards agreement on the priorities and directions of the work program, including roles and responsibilities, review of key operational and strategic documents, implementation of priority recommendations and communications strategy.

BMW implements the operational aspects of the Scheme and DCA takes responsibility for advocacy and policy.

The key objectives of the Scheme are to: • Improve the quality of the built

environment and value of public facilities.

• Identify and create new professional and economic opportunities for Western Australian artists.

All key documents used within the Scheme have now been reviewed and updated including the Guidelines and the Artwork Commission Agreement.

The DCA and BMW websites are updated on an ongoing basis.

The following jointly endorsed recommendations continue to be a cooperative focus for both BMW and DCA: • Increasing the representation and

involvement of Western Australian Indigenous groups in the administrative and artistic delivery of the Scheme.

• Increasing evaluations of individual art projects, including external assessment.

• Expanding the types of artwork and the art forms commissioned within the Scheme and the introduction, where appropriate, of opportunities for temporary and experimental solutions to allow for ideas that extend the nature of artwork projects.

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Art Coordinators Panel The Art Coordinator Services Panel consists of ten consultant art coordinators who manage the art projects. They are the primary link between BMW, the commissioning agency, the community, the artists, the builder and the architect.

The Art Coordinators Panel meets quarterly with DCA and BMW to report on current commissions and to discuss improvements and issues that affect artists, commissioning agents and project management.

Background: Glyph large scale installation by Jurek Wybraniec and Stephen Neille at Ashdale Secondary College. Photo by

Robert Frith, Acorn Photo. Commissioned by

the Department of Education.

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Scheme operational statistics Scheme statistics provide a snapshot of the year’s activity. New commissions, total annual expenditure and project completions are the three measurements which provide information on how the Scheme is tracking. Typically, State infrastructure building projects take two to three years to complete and, as such, art projects and commissions can fall over more than one financial year.

New Commissions Total Annual Expenditure During the 2012-13 financial year 56 During the 2012–13 financial year BMW new art projects commissioned public made art budget payments on 96 art to the value of $5.26 million. artworks in the construction phase to

the value of $4,185,935. The average commissioned art budget was $93,953 with a range of budgets from $21,000 through to $300,000. The majority of budgets fell within the $50,000–$100,000 range.

Appendix 1 provides a breakdown of new commissions.

Left: The Source by Andrew Kay at the WA College of Agriculture Harvey Campus. Photo by the artist. Commissioned by the Department of Education.

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Project completions This year 15 projects were completed and installed on site. In particular, schools benefited from working closely with artists to roll out a wide variety of artworks reflecting the diversity of students and their community.

Rossmoyne Senior High School Stage 2 Department of Education

Ashdale Secondary College Stage 2 Department of Education

Sutherland Dianella Primary School Upgrade Department of Education

Merredin Residential College, New Student And Staff Residential Units Department of Education

Merredin College Department of Education

Churchlands Senior High School Music Auditorium Upgrade Department of Education

100 Hampton Road Fremantle Department of Housing

Mandurah Grouped Housing Rockford Street and Day Road Department of Housing

Fitzroy Crossing Police Station Western Australian Police

Emergency Services Complex Cockburn Department of Fire and Emergency Services

WA College of Agriculture Harvey Wokalup Campus Department of Education

Dongara District High School Department of Education

Office of the Premier and Cabinet Room Perth Department of Premier and Cabinet

Baldivis Secondary College Department of Education

Butler College Department of Education

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The elegant layering of text and image reminds the viewer of the limitless associations these combinations can evoke.

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Focus projects Rossmoyne Senior High School Rick Vermey’s graceful artworks for the new languages building and cafeteria of Rossmoyne Senior High School evolved from discussions with school representatives who wished to reflect the building’s purpose; the learning of languages.

‘Vision Screen’ is composed of At night the screen is backlit providing perforated metalwork panels from the striking silhouettes. During the day the artist’s photographs of trees on the screen casts shadows that float across school grounds, interspersed with the the building’s wall, adding a further laurel leaf emblem and the school’s lyrical dimension to the work. ethos ‘aspire, excel and respect’ repeated in multiple languages. The interest in forms of communication The elegant layering of text and is continued in ‘Codex’ where the artist image reminds the viewer of has transformed motivational words the limitless associations these into binary codes that have been combinations can evoke. sandblasted on to the white concrete

columns of the colonnade.

Left: Vision Screen and Codex by Rick Vermey at Rossmoyne Senior High School. Photo by the artist. Commissioned by the Department of Education.

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Focus projects The Office of the Premier and Cabinet Room ‘Wandoo Country’ is a major artwork resulting from a specific Percent for Art brief. The work, located at the Office of Premier and Cabinet Room, was required to use recycled wandoo timber, originally from the seating at Perry Lakes Stadium.

Artist Monique Tippett took inspiration from the wood and the landscape from which it was derived;

‘It was my intention to evoke in the viewer the grandeur and scale of the wandoo landscape with its variety of textures and colours and to bring the contemplative aura of the natural environment into a busy office space.’

Spanning two levels, the placement of ‘Wandoo Country’ allows for differing viewing experiences. From the exterior, a sense of landscape dominates; from the interior the proximity of the work encourages reflection on the materials and its layered history. The vertical and horizontal panels echo the highly considered structural rhythms of the building, resulting in a satisfying union of artwork and building and a majestic backdrop to the many receptions held in the courtyard.

Right: Monique Tippett artist of Wandoo Country at the Office of the Premier and Cabinet Room. Photo by Robert Frith, Acorn Photo. Commissioned by the Department of Premier and Cabinet.

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‘It was my intention to evoke in the viewer the grandeur and scale of the wandoo landscape with its variety of textures and colours and to bring the contemplative aura of the natural environment into a busy office space.’

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Artwork comments Focus artist comment Monique Tippett

I have been involved in the Percent for Art Scheme since 2010. Since then I have been successful in securing several commissions that have allowed me to create larger artworks that would otherwise be out of my reach. The last three years have challenged me personally and artistically. When I saw the list of names I was up against for the Premier’s Cabinet Offices Commission at Hale House, I must admit I was pretty daunted, but I thought I should just go for it. I knew it would be a huge challenge but I also knew I could do it and that it would help me grow as an artist.

Financially, my Percent for Art involvement has been very positive; to the extent I have been able to build a new studio workshop on my property. In regards to my artistic development, I have been able to hone my skills in many ways, from project management, presentation of my ideas and conveying my ideas verbally to the clients, to developing a concept through to the realisation of the finished artwork.

I have made a number of valuable professional contacts, architects, designers, project managers and art consultants, which I am happy to say have all been very easy to deal with.

I would suggest to any artist that it is well worth the effort to learn about how to apply for these commissions and to just have a go!

Commissioning agent comment Shane Jaffar Manager Facilities Management Branch, Department of the Premier and Cabinet

We were very excited to be able to use the timber in such an original way in what is essentially its second use. Firstly, as seating at Perry Lakes Stadium (between 1962 and 2009) and now as an impressive piece of art. Many visitors and staff in the building have commented on the scale, because it extends over two levels, and also the fascinating detail which includes some of the original seat numbering from its former life. This provides a historic connection to the artwork because so many people from Western Australia had been to the Stadium and sat on those benches.

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Appendix 1

Projects – July 2012–June 2013 Project category

Construction budget

Art budget

% spent on Art

Albany Interpretive Centre Finance $7,200,000 $50,000 0.69%

Armadale Kelmscott Memorial Hospital Aged Health $2,070,000 $24,800 1.20% Care Rehabilitation Expansion

Ashdale Secondary College Stage 3 Education $10,428,000 $100,000 0.96%

Australind Senior High School Education $6,075,000 $60,750 1.00% Year 7 Integration

Baldivis Secondary College Education $5,258,000 $61,800 1.18% Year 7 Integration

Baldivis Secondary College Stage Two Education $21,216,000 $210,000 0.99%

Banksia Grove Senior High School Education $41,000,000 $380,000 0.93%

Broome North Primary School Education $21,000,000 $145,000 0.69%

Bunbury Senior High School Education $2,831,225 $28,312 1.00% Year 7 Integration

Butler College Education $31,328,000 $313,280 1.00%

Canning Vale College Education $6,200,000 $47,400 0.76%

Cape Naturaliste College Education $2,900,000 $29,000 1.00% Year 7 Integration

Carine Senior High School Education $6,200,000 $47,400 0.76%

Churchlands Senior High School Education $10,715,000 $125,900 1.17% Year 7 Integration

Comet Bay College Education $10,600,000 $82,100 0.77% Year 7 Integration

Courthouse Fitzroy Crossing Law & Order $2,420,000 $26,505 1.10%

Darling Range Sports College Education $3,600,000 $27,000 0.75% Year 7 Integration

Duncraig Senior High School Education $10,600,000 $82,100 0.77% Year 7 Integration

Duncraig Senior High School Education $3,147,300 $32,000 1.02% New Administration Block

Durack Institute of Technology Airport Annex Education $9,200,000 $72,000 0.78%

Durack Institute of Technology Central Education $12,000,000 $120,000 1.00%

Fremantle Hospital Refurbishment Health $900,000 $16,000 1.78%

Golden Bay Primary School Education $9,209,050 $90,000 0.98%

Great Southern Institute of Technology Education $3,900,000 $39,000 1.00% Community Services and Health Sciences

Greenough Regional Prison Law & Order $5,600,000 $56,000 1.00%

Halls Head Community College Education $28,000,000 $280,000 1.00% Year 7 Integration

Hammond Park Primary School Education $14,000,000 $120,000 0.86%

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Appendix 1

Projects – July 2012–June 2013 Project category

Construction budget

Art budget

% spent on Art

John Curtin College of the Arts Year 7 Integration

Education $12,400,000 $95,800 0.77%

Kelmscott Senior High School Education $6,200,000 $47,400 0.76%

Kimberley Tafe Broome Campus Education $7,100,000 $125,000 1.76%

Kimberley Tafe Derby Campus Education $4,480,000 $28,000 0.63%

Lakelands Primary School Education $10,000,000 $100,000 1.00%

Maida Vale Primary School Education $5,000,000 $40,000 0.80%

Margaret River Senior High School Education $4,878,000 $48,780 1.00%

Mindarie Senior College Gymnasium Education $5,000,000 $40,000 0.80%

Mount Lawley Primary School Education $11,000,000 $103,000 0.94%

Mount Lawley Senior High School Year 7 Integration

Education $110,600,000 $69,850 0.06%

North Cottesloe Primary School Education $3,600,000 $36,000 1.00%

Perth Modern New Gymnasium Education $2,407,000 $24,000 1.00%

Rossmoyne Senior High School Year 7 Integration

Education $10,824,000 $86,987 0.80%

Safety Bay Year 7 Integration

Education $2,131,000 $21,310 1.00%

Shenton College Year 7 Integration

Education $10,600,000 $82,100 0.77%

Shenton College Lemnos Refurbishment Education $4,000,000 $32,000 0.80%

Smirk Road Primary School Baldivis Education $14,300,000 $143,000 1.00%

State Netball Centre Sport and Recreation

$21,471,726 $200,000 0.93%

Sub Acute Care and Day Therapy, South West Health Campus Bunbury

Health $6,700,000 $80,000 1.19%

Treendale Primary School Education $11,000,000 $110,000 1.00%

Wanneroo Senior High School Education $6,200,000 $47,400 0.76%

Warnbro Community High School Year 7 accommodation

Education $10,600,000 $82,100 0.77%

Wembley Primary School Education $2,350,000 $25,000 1.06%

West Australian Institute of Sports High Performance Centre

Sport and Recreation

$22,106,475 $181,830 0.82%

West Byford Primary School Education $27,200,000 $253,200 0.93%

West Leederville Primary School Teaching Block and Early Learning Centre

Education $2,900,000 $29,000 1.00%

Willeton Senior High School Education $29,983,000 $300,000 1.00%

Yanchep District High School alterations Education $8,000,000 $65,000 0.81%

Yanchep Primary School Education $14,500,000 $98,000 0.68%

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Appendix 2 – Project brochures The project brochures listed below are available on DCA and BMW websites. Each brochure contains essential information about the particular art project. New brochures are added regularly after projects are completed. They can be viewed at:

DCA: http://www.dca.wa.gov.au/DCA-Initiatives/spaces-and-places/public-art/242/ BMW: http://www.finance.wa.gov.au/cms/content.aspx?id=3728

Rossmoyne Senior High School Stage 2 Department of Education

Ashdale Secondary College Stage 2 Department of Education

Sutherland Dianella Primary School Upgrade Department of Education

Merredin Residential College New Student And Staff Residential Units Department of Education

Meadow Springs Primary School Department of Education

Merredin College Department of Education

Aubin Grove Primary School Department of Education

Churchlands Senior High School Music Auditorium Upgrade Department of Education

100 Hampton Road Fremantle Department of Housing

Mandurah Grouped Housing Rockford Street and Day Road Department of Housing

Fitzroy Crossing Police Station Western Australian Police

Emergency Services Complex Cockburn Department of Fire and Emergency Services

WA College of Agriculture Harvey Wokalup Campus Department of Education

Dongara District High School Department of Education

Office of the Premier and Cabinet Room Perth Department of Premier and Cabinet

Baldivis Secondary College Department of Education

Butler College Department of Education

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If you are deaf, or have a hearing or speech impairment, contact us through the National Relay Service (NRS) www.relayservice.com.au:

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Disclaimer Every effort has been made to ensure that this publication is free from error and/or omission at the date of printing. The authors, publisher and any person involved in the preparation of this publication take no responsibility for loss occasioned to any person or organisation acting or refraining from action as a result of information contained herein.

Background: Glyph large scale installation by Jurek Wybraniec and Stephen Neille at Ashdale Secondary College. Photo by Robert Frith, Acorn Photo. Commissioned by the Department of Education.

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