Bus Shelter Painting

Why Bus Shelters?

Buses play an integral part in the daily lives of many people in the community who do not have cars or who choose to use public transport.  Accordingly, bus shelters are a blank canvas waiting to be utilised as a form of communication and expression that can link people into their community.

Young people are given a chance to spray their art legally and learn valuable problem solving skills as they work in a group situation. Many younger children are able to learn about art and how it can be used by the community to work through local issues and communicate messages relevant to the community (e.g. road safety messages). Community groups can increase the profile of their organisation in the community. Residents can express what their neighbourhood means to them, whilst getting to know other residents.

 Aims:

• To embark on a bus shelter painting programme to beautify bus shelters and reduce Council’s financial expense in the removal of graffiti damage on Bus Shelters.
• The programme to become a Community Development project where schools, youth groups, individuals and groups in the community ‘adopt’ a bus shelter and design a mural for it. 
• To encourage the integration and utilisation of contemporary art into daily life.   
• To promote interaction between young people and other groups in the community in a positive environment.
• To create a ‘sense of place’ and cultural identity.
• To enliven and enhance public buildings and spaces.

 Benefits for the community: 

• Increased feeling of safety.
• Pride in public spaces and buildings.
• Increased ‘sense of place’ and cultural identity.
• Reduction in graffiti.
• New opportunities for community expression. 

Who can paint a Bus Shelter?

A Group of Melville Residents - Get together with the neighbours and create a design that reflects your neighbourhood.  

Young people - Sign up for a holiday programme, and work under the direction of a professional artist in a workshop format with the bus shelter as the finished project.

Schools wishing to integrate the project into their art curriculum. Develop a cross-curricular project and learn about road safety, transport, government or community while putting arts skills into practise.

Melville artists – What does your suburb mean to you?

Melville Community Groups – What does your group stand for? Paint a bus shelter that depicts your Community Group message.

Maintenance

For any maintenance issues or graffiti damage to bus shelters contact the City of Melville’s Graffiti Hotline on 1800 626 119.

Contact

If you’re interested in finding out more about the Bus Shelter Mural Programme contact:

Hannah Katarski

Community Development Officer - Arts

Ph: 9364 0650

Fax: 9364 0285

Email: hkatarski@melville.wa.gov.au