Public Art: How Do Artists Get Started?
Join NAVA for an online conversation with artists Dennis Golding and Nicole Monks, and public art professionals Matt Cox and Elizabeth Lewis from Tilt Industrial Design.
3-4.30pm AEDT, Monday 30 November 2026.
Permanent public artworks are a highly visible part of our cultural landscape, but how do artists get their first public art commission? What opportunities exist for artists who want to work beyond gallery settings, and what does a public art career actually look like in practice?
Join NAVA for a conversation with artists Dennis Golding and Nicole Monks, alongside public art professionals Matt Cox and Elizabeth Lewis from Tilt Industrial Design. Through artist case studies and practical examples, we'll share different pathways into public art, how artists secure opportunities, and what to expect when working with commissioners, designers, local government and other stakeholders.
Hear from Dennis and Nicole about developing a public art practice, navigating commissions and tenders, and building a career in public art. Matt and Elizabeth will provide insight into the commissioning and delivery side of public art projects, offering a perspective on how artists, designers and project teams work together to realise public artworks.
The discussion will also introduce participants to relevant NAVA resources relating to public art commissions, contracts, artist fees and professional practice.
Participants will have the opportunity to move into smaller breakout groups and engage directly with artists and public art professionals. This session will provide space for questions, discussion and practical advice.
Whether you're a recent graduate, an early career artist interested in public art, or an established practitioner curious about expanding your practice beyond gallery settings, this webinar will provide practical insights into one of Australia's most significant areas of contemporary art practice.
This project is supported by the NSW Government through Create NSW.
About the panellists
Dennis Golding
Photo by Garry Trinh.
Dennis Golding is an artist born and raised on Gadigal Country, with ancestral ties to Kamilaroi/Gamilaraay Country (Northwest NSW) and Biripi Country (Mid North Coast NSW). Exploring lived experience and childhood memory, his practice critiques social, political and cultural representations of race and identity. He works independently as an artist, curator and graphic designer. Through his curatorial and artistic practice, Dennis aims to bring forward powerful representations of contemporary Aboriginal cultural identity, deepening understanding of history, place and lived experience.
Nicole Monks
Photo by Joseph Mayers
Nicole Monks is a multidisciplinary artist, designer and creative director of Yamaji Wajarri, Dutch and English heritage, living and working on Awabakal Country. She is a Lecturer at the University of Newcastle and founder of Blackandwhite Creative and public art practice bidi bidi. Her work spans public art, design and the built environment, with numerous internationally award-winning public art projects delivered across Australia.
Tilt Industrial Design, Public Art and Cultural Strategy
Elizabeth Lewis (Director)
Photo by Hero Shot Photography
Overseeing the public art division, Elizabeth plays an instrumental role in developing Tilt’s public art portfolio. She collaborates with art practitioners and architects to tailor mediums and methodologies to suit the artist’s practice and the client brief. As an expert in design research, Elizabeth facilitates early collaboration with the project team to ensure the brief, objectives and project deliverables are met with precision and care. With her deep understanding of art practices and a wide network of artists and curators, Elizabeth achieves exceptional project outcomes that provide a platform for artists to develop impactful public artworks.
Matt Cox (Senior Curator)
Photo by Hero Shot Photography
With over a decade of experience working with historical and contemporary art, Matt is a highly accomplished academic and curator. At Tilt, he acts as a conduit between artists and internal design teams, ensuring creative visions are realised with integrity. . With his understanding of how art resonates with people, Matt plays a key role in shaping Cultural Strategy and public artworks that enrich communities and contribute to urban development.
Accessibility
This session will be live captioned and Auslan interpreted. If you have any additional access requirements, please contact shoufay@visualarts.net.au as soon as possible.
Image credit
Shimmer, 2023. Re-Right Collective (Dennis Golding and Carmen Glynn-Braun), with Tilt Industrial Design, Co-op Studio architects, Bidjigal Elder Uncle Steven Russell, Tess Allas, and Cultural Capital. Heffron Sports Centre, Bidjigal Country (Maroubra) NSW. Photograph by Aran Anderson.
ID: Photo of a gold hand-painted mural on the facade of a large sandstone coloured building.
NAVA acknowledges and pays respects to the rightful Custodians of the many First Nations Lands on which this online event is streamed and received. We recognise Custodians of Country across all lands, waters and territories, and pay respects to First Nations ancestors and Elders.
Sovereignty was never ceded.
This always was, and always will be Aboriginal Land.
