City Council committed to more public art in Gloucester

Gloucester City Council is set to commit itself to commissioning more public art in the city in the future.

The council’s Cabinet is set to approve steps for more public art throughout the city at its meeting on Wednesday, 11 December.

Public art is defined as permanent, semi-permanent or temporary event-based works of art presented in public areas. Art and culture play an increasingly important role in attracting people to spend time in city centres as the role of traditional retail evolves. 

Existing examples of permanent public art in Gloucester include The Candle (Wolfgang Buttress) and St Kyneburgh’s Tower and Wall (Tom Price) which were installed in 2010 and 2011 respectively. 
As part of its commitment to public art, the city council will build provision for public art into future Section 106 agreements, which are payments to fund infrastructure by companies that deliver new housing developments. It will ringfence a percentage of future capital development projects to commissioning public art.

A new framework will be developed, working collaboratively with communities and local artists, to ensure that the most suitable public sites for art are used and that residents have a say in future public art that the council commissions.

In June 2025, a new temporary Moomin-inspired public artwork produced by Gloucester Guildhall will go on display at Gloucester Docks. You look as though you might be a relation by Dana Olerescu will be presented as part of a national programme for Refugee Week led by Counterpoints Arts in partnership with Moomin 80. The Moomin 80 programme marks the 80th anniversary of the publication of the first Moomin story, ‘The Moomin and the Great Flood’, drawing a connection with the experiences of refugees.

Cllr Caroline Courtney, Cabinet member responsible for Culture and Leisure at Gloucester City Council, said: “I am delighted that we will continue to support public art in our city.

“Previous public art pieces in Gloucester have been powerful ways to deliver important messages and helped to convey our city’s unique identity. As shown by the powerful Knife Angel sculpture that visited Gloucester in 2023, great public art can serve as a focal point for community and conversation. It can shine a light on issues or reflect what it’s like to live in a place.

“I am looking forward to the Moomins 80 commission in 2025 and many future works going forward.”