Northern Beaches Council’s Public Art Selection Panel provides independent expert advice on the procurement of permanent public art for the Northern Beaches, as required by Council’s Public Art Policy. The principal objective of the Panel is to assist Council in implementing the vision and goals of the Arts and Creativity Strategy, the Coast Walk Public Art Strategic Plan and other public art projects initiated by Council.

The Panel provides advice to Council regarding:

• the selection of artists for site-specific permanent public art projects, in accordance with the Coast Walk Public Art Strategic Plan and its curatorial framework
• the selection of artists for significant permanent public artworks associated with major capital projects delivered by Northern Beaches Council.

Membership of the Public Art Selection Panel comprises up to six members representing the following: two representatives with professional expertise and extensive experience in the selection and commissioning of public art, the visual arts, architectural, urban and design; one Aboriginal-identified member, with expertise in art and culture; one local resident of the Northern Beaches with expertise in arts and culture; and two Council staff members.

Current Public Art Selection Panel 2022 - 2025

• Steven Alderton, Director and CEO, National Art School
• Tony Geddes, Independent Consultant, Arts Administration, Project Management and Cultural Planning
• Aleta Wassell, Artist and Community Member
• Penny Philpott, Artist and Community Member
• Kylie Walshe, Executive Manager Community, Arts & Culture, Northern Beaches Council, or her representative
• Josephine Bennett, Manager, Arts and Culture / Gallery Director

Previous Public Art Selection Panel 2019 - 2022

• Steven Alderton, Director and CEO, National Art School
• Clothilde Bullen, Senior Curator, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Collections and Exhibitions, Museum of Contemporary Art
• Tony Geddes, Independent Consultant, Arts Administration, Project Management and Cultural Planning
• Annie Tennant, Director, Design and Place, NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment
• Kylie Walshe, Executive Manager Community, Arts & Culture, Northern Beaches Council, or her representative

For more information about public art on the Northern Beaches please email: creative@northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au