Government Art and Cultural Heritage Collections
Government agencies across the State display a range of Western Australian artworks and moveable cultural heritage items. These pieces brighten and revitalise public spaces and showcase original, local and emerging talent.
These artworks support the Western Australian creative industries and the State Government’s Buy WA Art and Craft policy which acknowledges the professional and ethical purchasing, display and management of Western Australia’s cultural assets.
These artworks form part of the State Government’s Art and Cultural Heritage Collections with each purchasing agency in full ownership of and responsible for the art work in the following ways:
- responsible purchasing and procurement of Western Australian artworks;
- responsible exhibiting, installation and display of artworks;
- responsible maintenance, storage and transit of artworks;
- responsible valuations of artworks; and
- responsible sale or lease of artworks.
The Department of Culture and the Arts advocates for other Government agencies to take part in the responsible collection of Western Australian artworks and cultural heritage items and leads by example with its own Art Acquisition Policy and Committee. It also enjoys the privilege of showcasing artworks through the City of Fremantle Partnership.
The Department recommends that agencies which have purchased artworks contract professional art consultants, curators and maintenance or conservation experts if these services are required. These contracts are to be sought in line with the State’s procurement guidelines.
In addition, legislation under the Financial Management Act 2006 requires each government agency to record and manage assets (including art works) independently.
