Victorians are invited to help decide which women’s stories they would like to see celebrated through up to six new public artworks across the state.
Minister for Women Natalie Hutchins is calling on Victorians to vote for which six stories should be told through the next round of the Victorian Women’s Public Art Program.
The chosen public artworks will be funded as part of the $1.2 million Government Community Support Fund’s investment into the second round of the Victorian Women’s Public Art Program.
Fewer than two per cent of close to 600 statues in Melbourne’s public spaces currently represent women.
The Victorian Women’s Public Art Program is addressing the underrepresentation of women artists and women in public art, along with gender stereotypes about women’s achievements.
Victorians can visit Engage Victoria to see all 13 of the women’s stories shortlisted by an expert panel convened by McClelland Sculpture Park and Gallery.
Artworks chosen by the panel were narrowed down from a competitive pool of applications received earlier this year.
The Minister will consider advice regarding the materials and longevity of the proposed artworks, their locations, the diversity of the proposed works and the stories that they will honour.
The shortlist includes:
- Anges Chambers, Anges Doig, and the Wonthaggi Miners Woman’s Auxiliary
- Aunty Dorothy Peters AM
- Aunty Margaret (Lilardia) Tucker MBE
- Barbara Rae
- Fanny Eileen Brownhill
- Louisa Briggs
- Marian Ellis Rowan
- May Moon MBE, Edna Walling and Kath Deery
- Migrant women of Merri-Bek
- Pride and equality trailblazers
- The first women of Castlemaine Art Museum
- The women of Montsalvat
- Women storytellers of Nillumbik
To find out more about the 13 women’s stories and have your say, visit engage.vic.gov.au/womens-public-art-program.
