In cities across the globe, there’s a quiet revolution happening—one that draws creativity into everyday life, connects communities, and reimagines the way we experience the infrastructure around us. At the heart of this movement is the 1% Art Policy, a powerful funding mechanism that we believe should be a standard practice in all urban developments.
What is the 1% policy?
The “1% policy” for art, often referred to as the Percent for Art scheme, is a public art funding mechanism that requires developers of large projects to contribute 1% of their budget toward public art installations within the development or surrounding areas.
This framework promotes and utilises a public art collection, ensuring that public art becomes an integral part of the urban landscape and enhances the value of public spaces.
Alongside beautification purposes, the policy aims to create a more inclusive environment that fosters creativity, knowledge, and innovation, while reflecting a city’s unique cultural identity.
How does this policy work?
While specifics vary from place to place, the premise is simple: when developers undertake large-scale construction projects, a percentage of their budget is earmarked for public art. In The City of Sydney, this process is guided by a dedicated Public Art Advisory Panel — a collection of professional artists, curators, and architects who provide advice on matters relating to public art. Through this system, the government can ensure that all projects align with broader citywide goals and are culturally meaningful.
Sydney’s approach is grounded in eight guiding principles:
- Align significant city art projects with Sustainable Sydney 2030 urban design projects
- Uplift Aboriginal stories and heritage in public spaces
- Support local artists and revitalise city spaces through temporary installations
- Support community engagement within Village Centres and City Art projects
- Promote high-quality public art in private development
- Support stakeholder and government partners in facilitating public art opportunities
- Maintain Sydney’s permanent art collection, monuments, and memorials
- Initiate and implement City Art education programs to engage the public
Why Public Art Deserves 1% (Or More)
Let’s be honest—without art, our public spaces can feel sterile and disconnected. Picture an office building or healthcare facility without a single piece of visual expression. Now, imagine that same place with thoughtful, site-specific artwork that reflects the stories of its people and place. Art can bring colour and character to the mundane by inviting curiosity, sparking conversation, and creating shared experiences.
Take our project at Lismore Hospital, for instance. What began as a typical healthcare environment was transformed into a sanctuary—not just for physical healing, but for imagination, calm, and mental wellbeing. Through a carefully curated trail of 36 artworks by local artists, spread across three floors, we turned a traditionally clinical space into one that feels nurturing and deeply human.
Or take our recent project at Winmalee Village—proof that public art can bring even the most everyday places to life. In collaboration with local artists, we transformed a suburban retail precinct into a vibrant community hub through a series of colourful murals and sculptural elements inspired by the natural environment of the Blue Mountains.
By drawing on local flora, fauna, and community stories, the artworks not only beautified the space but also created a sense of belonging and pride for residents and visitors alike. What was once just a shopping stop became a place of connection and identity—where creativity and commerce could coexist.
Local Government Areas like the Cities of Yarra and Paramatta have also held Public Art Policy mandates. Initiatives such as Creative Parramatta emphasise the importance of high-quality, site-specific artworks that celebrate the city’s rich heritage, diverse communities, and dynamic future.
With Art Pharmacy’s guidance for the North Granville Public Art Plan, the City of Parramatta developed a long-term strategy that identified key locations for impactful public artworks and outlined curatorial directions that honor local history and community narratives.
These projects are living proof that public art is not just decorative—it’s transformative. It fosters emotional connections, sparks conversation, and creates spaces people want to return to.
1% to Art is 100% Social Impact
Public art can also be a powerful tool in social responsibility. It supports and sustains artists and the broader creative industries, fosters a stronger sense of community identity and belonging, and contributes to safer, more vibrant urban environments. For artists, public art provides fair opportunities, visibility, and income.
For local communities, it creates inclusive, welcoming spaces that reflect shared stories and values—enhancing wellbeing, cultural awareness, and civic pride. For cities, artwork can help activate underused areas, increase foot traffic, and draw new business by turning blank walls and empty plazas into cultural landmarks.
In short, public art has a ripple effect—with social, cultural, and economic benefits that extend far beyond aesthetics. See what Art Pharmacy has been doing to support this mission on the Social Impact page.
As highlighted in one of our previous articles, What is the role of public art in creating safe, welcoming public spaces?, public art plays a critical role in addressing urban challenges such as unwelcoming “dead zones”. Similarly, our article, The Power of Communities and Third Spaces, underscores the importance of public art in placemaking—creating shared spaces that reflect local identity and foster community engagement.
At its core, the 1% art policy recognises that creative expression belongs in the fabric of our daily lives—not tacked on as an afterthought. Art is not a luxury—it’s a necessity for building healthier, more connected, and more inspiring cities. And if just 1% of a development budget can elevate a space from forgettable to unforgettable—why stop there?
Article by Samantha Sanders