Public Art Officer

Mackay Regional Council; Mackay Regional; On-site; AUD 72,000 - 83,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

56 AUD/hour

12% superannuation

Annual leave options

Salary sacrificing options

Lifestyle benefits program

Employee assistance program

Wellbeing initiatives

Social clubs

Job summary

Mackay Regional Council is seeking a passionate Public Art Officer to lead public art and placemaking projects within Artspace Mackay and the Major Venues Program. You will coordinate development, implementation and promotion of public art, while advising on collection management and policy.

The role combines creativity with project management and stakeholder engagement to deliver community outcomes and strengthen local identity across the Mackay region.

Qualifications

• Qualifications in Fine Art, Art History, Visual Arts or a related discipline.
• Current Queensland C Class Driver Licence (or ability to transfer an interstate licence within three months).
• Demonstrated experience in public art management.
• Strong written communication skills, including report and submission writing.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement, negotiation and relationship-building skills.
• Highly developed organisational, analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office and related computer applications.
• Knowledge of the visual arts sector, public art practice and funding environments.
• Understanding of cultural protocols when working with Indigenous and multicultural communities.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate the planning, development and delivery of public art and placemaking projects.
• Research opportunities and suitable locations for public art installations.
• Develop project briefs and manage artist procurement and selection processes.
• Negotiate and administer artist contracts.
• Project manage public art installations and de-installations.
• Identify funding opportunities and assist with grant submissions.
• Coordinate the maintenance and preservation of Council's public art collection.
• Support the acquisition and deaccessioning of artworks in accordance with Council policies.
• Provide expert advice on public art matters across Council and the community.
• Review and contribute to public art strategies, policies and procedures.
• Represent Council at industry, community and professional forums as required.

Skills

Project management

Stakeholder engagement

Communication

Organisational skills

Education

Fine Art, Art History or Visual Arts degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Permanent Part-Time (21.75 hours / week)

Commencing mid-late November 2026

Shape the cultural identity of our region through inspiring public art projects.

Mackay Regional Council is seeking a passionate and creative Public Art Officer to help bring our Public Art Strategy to life. Workingwithin the Major Venues Program, you will play a key role in delivering public art and placemaking projects that enrich the lives of residents and visitors, celebrate local identity, and enhance the vibrancy of our region.

This is an exciting opportunity for an arts professional who enjoys combining creativity, project management, stakeholder engagement, and strategic thinking to deliver meaningful community outcomes.

About The Role

Based on site at Artspace Mackay and reporting to the Artspace Mackay Director, you will coordinate the development, implementation, maintenance and promotion of public art initiatives across the Mackay region. The role also provides specialist advice on public art collection management, best practice standards and public art policy.

Key Responsibilities

• Coordinate the planning, development and delivery of public art and placemaking projects.
• Research opportunities and suitable locations for public art installations.
• Develop project briefs and manage artist procurement and selection processes.
• Negotiate and administer artist contracts.
• Project manage public art installations and de-installations.
• Identify funding opportunities and assist with grant submissions.
• Coordinate the maintenance and preservation of Council's public art collection.
• Support the acquisition and deaccessioning of artworks in accordance with Council policies.
• Provide expert advice on public art matters across Council and the community.
• Review and contribute to public art strategies, policies and procedures.
• Represent Council at industry, community and professional forums as required.

About You

You are a highly organised and relationship-focused arts professional with experience managing public art projects from concept to completion. You enjoy working collaboratively with artists, stakeholders and the community and have strong project management and communication skills.

Essential Requirements

• Qualifications in Fine Art, Art History, Visual Arts or a related discipline.
• Current Queensland C Class Driver Licence (or ability to transfer an interstate licence within three months).
• Demonstrated experience in public art management.
• Strong written communication skills, including report and submission writing.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement, negotiation and relationship-building skills.
• Highly developed organisational, analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office and related computer applications.
• Knowledge of the visual arts sector, public art practice and funding environments.
• Understanding of cultural protocols when working with Indigenous and multicultural communities.

Desirable

• Experience in public art management within a local government environment.
• Knowledge of museum collection management and artwork documentation practices.

Why Join Us?

• Hourly rate of $56.00 an hour.
• 12% superannuation.
• Choice of 4 or 5 weeks’ annual leave with 17.5% leave loading.
• May be eligible for salary sacrificing options.
• Membership to lifestyle benefits program including corporate discounts.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Employee health and wellbeing initiatives.
• Active Social Clubs.

Important Information For Applicants

To be considered for this position, all candidates must have the appropriate working rights for Australia, Your Australian work rights will be verified during the recruitment process.

Applicants who progress beyond the interview stage will be required to undergo a pre-employment process, which includes comprehensive Pre-Employment Medical Assessments (inclusive of Drug and Alcohol testing)

We are an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer, where all applicants are treated fairly and respectfully and have equal access to all available opportunities. At Mackay Regional Council, diversity is about creating a respectful and inclusive workplace that recognises our employees' unique contributions and perspectives, working together to deliver extraordinary results.