Public Art Mentoring * People and Process
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Public Art Mentoring * People and Process *
public art - people and processes
The T Projects - Public Art Mentoring Program - People and Processes - is a series of online webinars focused on knowledge sharing and professional development, bringing together leading industry professionals and subject matter experts to share their knowledge, experiences and perspectives.
Delivered in a supportive group mentoring environment, the program provides participants with direct access to industry expertise and a comprehensive understanding of the people and processes involved in public art commissioning. Through practical insights, real-world case studies and precedent projects, participants are guided through every stage of the commissioning journey, from project conception and development through to procurement and delivery.
The program also offers valuable insights into the roles of commissioners, curators, architects, landscape architects, project managers, fabricators and artists, helping participants build confidence, expand their industry knowledge and strengthen their ability to pursue public art opportunities.
2026 Program overview
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Victoria Jones, Founder of T Projects, explores the roles and responsibilities of public art commissioners and curators within contemporary public art projects. Drawing on her extensive experience in public art commissioning and cultural strategy, Victoria will provide a practical overview of how commissioners, curators, artists, clients, and stakeholders work together to deliver successful public art outcomes. The webinar will also guide participants through the public art commissioning process, from project inception, artist procurement, and stakeholder engagement through to concept development, fabrication, installation, and project completion. Ideal for artists, local government staff, developers, architects, and cultural professionals, this session offers valuable insights into best practice public art delivery.
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Internationally renown Hassell Studio explore the role of the design team in shaping successful public realm and built environment projects. Drawing on Hassell’s international portfolio, the session will showcase a selection of projects that have integrated public art as a key component of the design process, demonstrating how architects, landscape architects, urban designers, clients, artists, and public art consultants collaborate to create meaningful places and community outcomes. Participants will gain insights into how public art is embedded within complex design projects, the benefits of early artist engagement, and the collaborative processes that contribute to the delivery of innovative and culturally significant environments. Ideal for artists, designers, commissioning agencies, developers, and local government professionals, this webinar offers valuable perspectives on the intersection of design, placemaking, and public art.
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Dan Elborne reflects on the development and delivery his first two public art commissions. Through an honest and practical discussion, Dan will share the challenges, opportunities, and lessons learned as he transitioned from studio practice to working in the public realm. Participants will gain valuable insights into navigating the commissioning process, collaborating with clients and stakeholders, responding to project briefs, and managing the creative and technical demands of public art projects. Ideal for emerging and early-career artists or anyone with a general interest in public art, this webinar offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at the realities of securing and delivering public art commissions, providing practical advice and inspiration for artists looking to expand their practice into the public art sector.
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Chris Chow, Arts Lawyer and Founder of Creative Lawyers will explore the legal and contractual aspects of public art commissioning. Designed for artists and commissioners, this session will provide a practical understanding of why contracts are critical to the successful delivery of public art projects and how they protect the interests of both artists and commissioning bodies. Chris will explain key contractual terms, intellectual property and moral rights, insurance requirements, risk management, payment schedules, warranties, and the legal obligations artists must meet when entering into public art commission agreements. Through real-world examples and expert guidance, participants will gain the knowledge and confidence needed to navigate contracts, understand their responsibilities, and make informed decisions throughout the commissioning process. This webinar is an invaluable resource for anyone involved in public art contracting - commissioners & artists.
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Global public art fabricator UAP explore the critical role fabricators play in transforming artistic concepts into completed public artworks. Drawing on decades of experience delivering complex public art projects around the world, UAP will provide a behind-the-scenes look at the collaborative relationship between artists, fabricators, engineers, and project teams. Participants will learn how artists' ideas are developed into buildable solutions through technical design, material selection, prototyping, engineering, fabrication, logistics, and installation. Through case studies of major public artworks, the session will demonstrate how creative vision and technical expertise come together to realise ambitious artworks in the public realm. Ideal for artists, curators, commissioners, and design professionals, this webinar offers valuable insights into the processes, partnerships, and innovation that underpin successful public art delivery.
2026 presenting partners
chris chow
Chris Chow is the founder and Managing Partner of Creative Lawyers. He specialises in advising clients on contractual, commercial and intellectual property matters in the entertainment and creative industries. Chris has spent his entire career working with clients involved in music, film, TV, games/software, content and otherwise creative endeavours, helping them achieve practical solutions, protect their rights and assist in dispute resolution. Chris founded the firm in 2012, and it has since become a one-stop-shop for clients in the entertainment and creative industries. Having once been an opera singer and musician himself, Chris gets creatives and they get him. Chris likes to think of it this way: he works in the entertainment & creative industries as a lawyer, rather than being a lawyer who has clients in the entertainment and creative industries – it’s a subtle, but important distinction.
Susie Quinton
Susie is a registered landscape architect with 14+ years of experience working across Australia on complex public realm, tourism, green infrastructure and civic scale projects. As an integral member of the Melbourne team, she brings a sense of enthusiasm to her leadership role, collaborating with teams across locations to deliver impact.
Susie is passionate about the natural and urban realm, and collaborating with clients to transform their aspirations into exceptional places people love. Most recently, she has brought this passion and expertise to projects including the Melbourne Arts Precinct Transformation, PPP’s and the award-winning Wangaratta Station Railway Precinct.
Beyond projects, Susie advocates for industry change to support gender equity in design disciplines via her involvement in the Hassell WomenIN_ Group and her continued efforts in mentoring both through Hassell and the Australian Institutes of Landscape Architects (AILA).
Projects highlights to date include - Melbourne Arts Precinct Transformation, Melbourne; Wangaratta Station Railways Precinct, Wangaratta; Adelaide Airport Terminal Expansion Public Realm & Forecourt, Adelaide; Harold Park Precinct Three, Sydney; Roche Workplace, Sydney; Narnungga Park 25 Project, Adelaide; Summer Hill Flour Mill Precinct, Sydney; Edmondson Park Town Centre Public Realm & Residential Precinct, Sydney and Melbourne Metro Rail, State Library Precinct, Melbourne.
Elishia Whitchurch
Elishia Whitchurch joined UAP in 2007 and brings over 15 years of experience collaborating with artists and creatives on a wide range of projects across diverse budgets, materials, and contexts. Her work spans both public and private realms globally, where she plays a key role in helping artists deliver ambitious and meaningful outcomes.
Elishia was pivotal in establishing & managing UAP’s design studio in Shanghai, where she lived with her family for five years. Upon returning to Brisbane, she led the local design team for three years, continuing to shape the studio’s creative direction and project delivery.
In her current role as Principal, Elishia partners closely with artists and clients to deliver successful, impactful works. She has delivered a range of significant works both in Australia and internationally.
Elishia holds a Bachelor of Product Design from Griffith University’s Queensland College of Art.
Owen Craven
Owen Craven brings over 20 years of expertise in the visual arts sector to his role as a contributor to the Public Art Mentorship Program. As Director at UAP, he drives strategic growth and creates transformative opportunities in public art by fostering innovative partnerships that connect visionary artists with platforms to enhance public spaces and cultural landscapes.
During his nine years as Managing Principal and Senior Curator at Urban Arts Projects (UAP), he led Curatorial, Design, and Business Development teams across Australia and the Middle East. Under his leadership, UAP expanded from its Brisbane headquarters to establish successful studios in Sydney and Melbourne while developing a thriving consultancy practice.
His previous role as Managing Director at Ames Yavuz provided valuable insights into curatorial programming and exhibition development, further enriching his comprehensive approach to public art projects.
Victoria Jones
Victoria has worked in the creative industries in the UK and Australia for over 20 years. She has led the commissioning of over 100 site specific art commissions, managed large art collections, devised participatory programs, curated multiple exhibition spaces, programmed regular events and performances etc and developed the required creative strategies to support these. Victoria has extensive experience of working within complex environments with diverse teams, having led creative projects for Transport for London, the National Health Service, Melbourne Metro Tunnel & the Level Crossing Removal Project.
Victoria is a firm believer in the power of collaboration and has brokered partnerships with some amazing organisations including Amnesty International, The British Museum, Arts Centre Melbourne, Ausdance, Central Saint Martins, London Transport Museum, The British Library and The Royal Ballet amongst others.
Victoria’s work has received awards & accolades, including the International Academy for Design & Health, the Building Better Healthcare Awards, the Institute of Medical Illustrators Awards and the Royal Society for Public Health.
Victoria enjoys creating new projects and programs from scratch including - the Creative Communities program for London Underground, GO Create! at Great Ormond Street Hospital and the ARCH creative program for Royal Children’s Hospital.
dan elborne
Dan Elborne is an Australian visual artist currently practicing in Naarm/Melbourne. His primary working material is clay, which is utilized for long-form installation-based projects and sculptural series’. Across various modes of practice, Elborne builds work on intersecting foundations of memory, time, labour and materiality.
Dan secured his first public art commission in 2025 with T Projects. He was elcted to create The Pillar, for the Frankston Hospital Redevelopment now known as Peninsula University Hospital. He was then commissioned to deliver another major public artwork for the City of Casey, working with 600+ pupils at Turrun Primary School.
Dan has exhibited extensively in Australia; including gallery, institution and museum shows across Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, the Australian Capital Territory and Tasmania. Internationally, Elborne has participated in a number of artist residencies in France, Denmark, Iceland and Japan, as well as exhibitions in London, Helsinki, Sweden, Copenhagen and Philadelphia. His work has also been published and is part of both public and private collections across the globe.
Between 2011 and 2014, Elborne completed a Bachelor of Creative Arts (majoring in visual art) with first class Honours through the University of Southern Queensland (UniSQ). Between 2016 and 2019, he completed a Doctorate of Philosophy (PhD) through UniSQ, which focussed on the role, relevance and responsibility of contemporary art in representing atrocities and collective trauma.
Changes for 2026…
I originally created the Public Art Mentoring Program specifically for artists after seeing many struggle with large scale major infrastructure public art commissions. I recognised that many of these challenges came from the gap between artists’ expectations and the realities of how these commissions often play out.
After running the program for three years, I am now adjusting the original format and intended audience to offer greater flexibility and reach more people.
This year, the program will be condensed from nine sessions to five, delivered entirely online, with recordings available afterwards to improve flexibility and affordability.
Because there is currently no formal training or industry regulation for public art, we are expanding the program to support a broader range of industry participants.
This includes anyone interested in learning more about public art, such as commissioners, curators, design teams and local councils, while continuing to offer discounted fees for artists.
I have been commissioning public art for over 20 years and I wish I knew then what I know now… so it’s time to share the knowledge!
Victoria Jones, T Projects
Past Participant’s Feedback
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T Projects Public Art Mentoring program brought together world class experts including curators, landscape architects, engineers, fabricators and legal, addressing the core issues of planning, development, and delivery of Public Art projects. Together they demystified the complex processes involved in undertaking successful projects. The PAM program has readied me with invaluable insights, knowledge, tools and the confidence to take on greater challenges and more ambitious projects."
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"Having been active as a professional artist for several years, I came away from each session with fresh insights and in-depth notes for future reference. The program gave me a sense of empowerment as well as valuable connections to a large variety professional services. Victoria was and continues to be incredibly generous with her time and support and I am very grateful I was selected to participate. Without hesitation, I highly recommend this program. "
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"I thoroughly enjoyed it and have found lots of inspiration and new bits of knowledge to take away from every session. I really appreciate your honesty and generosity in sharing so much of your amazing experience. The sessions were super informative, bringing in a generous selection of guest speakers covering each stage of the process, and presented in a clear and enjoyable way."
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"The Public Art Mentoring program provided an engaging and comprehensive overview of the entire process of devising, developing, and realising quality public art projects. With its emphasis on collaboration and open-mindedness, it brilliantly illustrated how to effectively engage all stakeholders in matters of artistic vision and community connection. A thoroughly rewarding and empowering experience which I would recommend to anyone interested in pursuing a career in public art."
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"All the presenters in the pilot program were so engaging and incredibly informative, detailing every step of the process from commissioning right through to installation and maintenance, giving me much more insight into what had until now been a somewhat mysterious practice. I have become really inspired by the collaborative nature of public art, meaning that the realm of creative possibilities is so much more expansive than when working alone in the studio. "
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"I cannot overstate the wealth of insight and knowledge that I gained from a variety of engaging professionals. Attending the public art mentoring sessions has given me the knowledge to approach any public art opportunity with confidence and the believe that I am aware of the different steps necessary for a positive outcome. These sessions were an opportunity to ask many questions as well as connecting with artists and professionals in the field. I can not thank Victoria enough for taking the time and energy required in organising this program."
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"The T Projects program was a fabulous opportunity, and I cannot recommend it highly enough. The expertise of the speakers involved, and the range of topics covered in a relatively short period of time were incredibly beneficial. It catered to artists like myself, with limited or no public art experience, but would also benefit the most experienced practitioner. The ability to make contacts and compile resource lists, message questions during and after sessions, and meet most of the presenters/artists in person at the end of the program was a huge bonus!"
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"I’m so grateful to have had access to all the expertise, knowledge, tips and guidance from T Projects and the incredible selection of high-level industry experts. I’m super charged to secure my next public art project so I can implement my learnings from the Public Art Mentoring Pilot Program. Participating improves my capacity to deliver successful public art commissions for future. Thanks T Projects, for supporting my practice, so great to be involved."