City Art laneways
Inviting artists to test ideas through public art in laneways in the city centre.
About this program
The laneways temporary art program originally ran from 2008 to 2013. It aimed to create opportunities for artists to test ideas through temporary artworks that shone a light on laneways, previously overlooked and underused spaces in the city.
The program encouraged people to visit the city and explore these spaces. It injected new energy into urban life and created space for creativity and innovation. It allowed the public, businesses and property owners to see these spaces in a new light to catalyse change.
In response to the Covid pandemic we once again opened the invited artists to engage with the city and encourage people to explore and reconnect with these fine grain spaces through temporary public art.
Covid response program
In 2022, in response to the Covid pandemic, we invited thinkers and artists to create temporary public artworks that enliven our civic spaces.
The 4 selected artworks provided bold, fresh and meaningful ways to reimagine city spaces and encourage Sydneysiders to rethink and revisit their city.
City Spaces
City Spaces ran during 2012 and 2013. Artists, architects and curators were invited to test their ideas for the laneways and spaces directly adjacent to George Street, in anticipation of its pedestrianisation and the introduction of light rail.
Three of the 4 artworks selected for the program were realised. Two of the projects, Youngsters and City Wilderness Trail, were curated by Vi Girgis and Adam Porter.
Urbanity: (Re)Engaged
Urbanity: (Re)Engaged ran during 2011 and 2012. Curated by Amanda Sharrad and Justine Topfer, it invited renowned Australian and international artists to breathe new life into the ordinary.
Artists created spaces where passersby could pause for private reflection or connect in lively cross-cultural dialogue about art and its intersection with public life.
Are You Looking at Me?
Are You Looking at Me? ran during 2010 and 2011. Curated by Barbara Flynn, it brought together the talent of 9 of Australia’s most original artists.
Each artwork was designed to draw the attention of passersby and get them to notice and appreciate Sydney’s hidden laneways in an entirely new way.
By George! Hidden Networks
By George! Hidden Networks ran during 2009 and 2010. The program sought collaborations between artists, architects and one other discipline to address climate change and urban renewal.
It was curated by Dr Steffen Lehmann and consisted of 8 artworks.
