Outdoor Gallery and public art
Explore Brisbane’s Outdoor Gallery and public art collection. Find cultural events and creative opportunities.
About Brisbane's public art
Public art in Brisbane is an important expression of our city’s culture and creativity.
It includes sculptures, murals and street art that:
- celebrate the traditions and stories of different communities
- reflect the unique identity and spirit of Brisbane
- are inspired by our natural surroundings, including the Brisbane River and local wildlife.
Available for everyone to admire, these artworks are easily accessible. Head to an outdoor exhibition in the city or explore public art installations across Brisbane’s streets and alleyways.
Council supports an exciting program of art exhibitions, events and projections.
Outdoor Gallery
Council’s Outdoor Gallery displays art in light boxes, banners, vitrines and evening projections across Brisbane.
The program transforms our city’s laneways, streets and car parks into imaginative and engaging spaces for everyone to enjoy.
From 14 June to 20 October 2025 explore Craig & Karl: Rear Vision, a dynamic, playful exploration of one of Queensland's most successful creative exports. With their signature visual language defined by bold colour, graphic precision and infectious joy, the exhibition features some of Craig & Karl's most celebrated series, exploring themes of community, identity, imagination and love.
Co-curated by Carrie McCarthy and Angela Goddard from Griffith University Art Museum, the exhibition includes many works that have never been exhibited in Australia. Craig & Karl: Rear Vision will serve as a homecoming prelude ahead of their Australian-exclusive exhibition and major public art interventions with Griffith University Art Museum and Brisbane Festival in September 2025.
Hero image (page): Signs and Symbols (2025), Craig & Karl, Edward & Elizabeth streets, Brisbane City. Image by Carl Warner.
Image gallery
Map
Public art collection
Council's Public Art Collection showcases more than 200 artworks created by prominent Australian and international artists.
Ranging from streetscape elements to contemporary sculptures, the collection features artworks of cultural, social and financial significance.
Integrated throughout the city and surrounding suburbs, the artworks are on display for both locals and visitors to enjoy.
Art events across the city
Explore innovative, socially inclusive and diverse arts and cultural events.
Take an art class, attend an exhibition or join in on a workshop.
Opportunities for arts professionals
Expressions of interest - Mural project
We're seeking expressions of interest (EOIs) from suitably qualified and experienced South East Queensland artists to deliver large-scale, multistorey murals.
This opportunity is part of Council's application for grant funding from the South East Queensland City Deal Public Art Initiative.
Submissions close at 11.59pm, Thursday 10 July 2025.
The South East Queensland City Deal Public Art initiative is a grant program funded by the Australian Government and led by the Queensland Government in collaboration with local governments.
The initiative aims to:
- deliver public art projects that activate places and improve the built environment
- enhance place-making
- promote a more liveable South East Queensland through the installation and delivery of artwork.
The objectives are to:
- enhance visitor experience and aesthetics in the built environment
- contribute to Brisbane's identity
- highlight cultural heritage
- encourage cultural tourism
- provide employment opportunities for artists, including professional development
- support local employment opportunities for First Nations peoples and procurement through Indigenous-owned businesses.
We're investigating 3-4 sites for large-scale, multistorey and highly visible mural artworks on existing buildings located within Brisbane's CBD. The locations are to be confirmed. The collective artwork budget to deliver these murals is $300,000 (ex GST). Each mural artwork will be guided by:
- the intiative objectives
- artwork brief for the specific site
- a set budget allocation.
The budget for each location (excluding GST) will cover artist fees, as well as all expenses related to the design, documentation, and installation of the artwork. It will also include fees for equipments, collaborators, sub-contractors, insurances and workplace health and safety requirements involved in the installation of the artwork.
EOIs close at 11.59pm, Thursday 10 July 2025.
To apply, you must:
- be recognised as a professional practicing artist
- have experience delivering large-scale murals
- have connection to South East Queensland
- be available to participate in Stage 2 from June to August 2025.
First Nations peoples and artists with a disability or from diverse cultural or linguistic backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
If you meet the eligibility criteria, lodge the following in one PDF document:
- Current curriculum vitae and biography.
- Up to 5 examples of previous relevant public artworks.
- A response demonstrating how your artistic practice relates to the initiative objectives.
For advice regarding assessment critiera and process, refer to the terms and conditions.
If you are identified as a shortlisted artist, you will be:
- given a location
- provided with a detailed artwork brief and budget to develop 2 concept designs for a fee of $2000 (excluding GST).
The concept design proposal must include:
- your artistic rationale
- visualisations
- dimensions
- medium specifications
- maintenance considerations
- a preliminary program
- a cost plan detailing all costs associated with the development, desing, and installation of the concept artwork.
The successful concept design will be submitted to SEQ City Deal as part of Council's application. Council should be notified of the grant assessment outcome in late 2025 or early 2026.
Download the terms and conditions for this creative opportunity.
For any enquiries, email Council.
Creative Register
Join Council’s Creative Register to receive information about creative opportunities, tenders, events and funding.
The register is open to artists, performers, producers and vendors.
When opportunities arise, we’ll contact you to:
- provide information about future creative projects, events, grants and workshops
- encourage expression of interest applications for creative projects.
Helpful links
Frequently asked questions
Public art refers to artworks specifically created to be displayed in public spaces. These artworks are designed to engage and interact with a larger community or audience. They are generally accessible to everyone, regardless of background or socioeconomic status.
Art is a broader term that includes public art, as well as art created for private collections, galleries, museums or personal fulfilment.
You can find art made by street artists on:
- legal graffiti walls
- walls, pillars and bridge structures
- traffic signal boxes and Energex pad-mount transformers.
Learn where you can see street art in Brisbane.
