Victorian Women's Public Art Program

The Victorian Women's Public Art Program aims to address the underrepresentation of women and their achievements through enduring public artworks such as statues and sculptures.

Background

On International Women’s Day 2022, the Victorian Government announced a $1 million program to increase the number of permanent public artworks celebrating women across Victoria. Of the 583 statues across Melbourne only 12 depict real-life, named women – the program will address this significant underrepresentation by funding projects that recognise women and their achievements through mediums such as statues, sculptures and other enduring public art.

The program also supports women artists, in recognition that they are underrepresented in art media, commercial galleries and state museums compared to men.

Grants of between $50,000 to $200,000, through the Community Support Fund, have been awarded to organisations across Victoria, with applicants working in partnership with community and interest groups. The successful applicants of the program are:

  1. Remembering Stella Young, Northern Grampians Shire Council
  2. Vera: Linton War Surgeon, Golden Plains Shire Council
  3. Creative Resilience, Queen Victoria Women's Centre, Melbourne
  4. Three Kurnai Women on Country, Baw Baw Shire Council
  5. Honouring Zelda D'Aprano, Victorian Trades Hall Council
  6. Yennaga Yettang/Come See, Mildura Rural City Council

Commissioned Artworks

Arts, culture & heritage

Yennaga Yettang / Come See

Yennaga Yettang / Come See is a mesmerising video projection that reflects women’s powerful connection to country and their role as knowledge holders of customs and traditions.

Arts, culture & heritage

Honouring Zelda D’Aprano

A statue commemorating an activist’s fight for women’s rights and equal pay has been unveiled.

Arts, culture & heritage

Three Kurnai Women on Country

A life-size bronze sculpture of Dorothy Hood, Regina Rose, and Euphemia Mullet Tonkin, who maintained their Kurnai culture in the face of immense change.

Arts, culture & heritage

Creative Resilience

A sculpture celebrating the strength and talents of First Nations women was the third artwork to be unveiled as part of the Victorian Women’s Public Art Program.

Arts, culture & heritage

Vera: Linton War Surgeon

A statue honouring trail-blazing wartime surgeon Dr Vera Scantlebury Brown OBE was the second to be unveiled as part of our Victorian Women’s Public Art Program.

Arts, culture & heritage

Remembering Stella Young

A life-sized bronze statue commemorates comedian, journalist, activist and disability advocate Stella Young in the town of Stawell. Unveiled in March 2023, as part of the Women's Public Art program.

This program complements the Victorian Honour Roll of Women, which celebrates women's outstanding leadership and contributions to life in Victoria.

Follow along on social channels

Share in the stories of inspirational Victorian women via Women Victoria and DFFH’s social media channels.

Women Victoria

Department of Families, Fairness and Housing

EqualityWomen

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