Arts Minister Leeanne Enoch today joined Destination Brisbane Consortium project director Simon Crooks and Star Entertainment Group CEO Matt Bekier on site to announce the art component.

Public art will feature in seven locations, including along the Brisbane River and on George Street.

“Embracing opportunities like this will help activate arts and culture experiences in this precinct and celebrate stories that will be told through the works selected,” Enoch said.

To deliver on its promise, DBC is undertaking one of the biggest art procurement programs in Queensland, offering local artists the opportunity to feature their work throughout the 7.5ha of public space.

“We are encouraging the Australian art community to get imaginative and think about how they can really put their stamp on Queensland’s largest urban development project by creating great destination pieces,” said Crooks.

“More particularly, we want to attract local contemporary and Indigenous artists. This is a multi-million-dollar commissioning process. It has the potential to provide a massive stimulus to the Queensland arts and culture sector.”

“Our aim is to make Queen’s Wharf one of Brisbane’s genuine art tourism drawcards. Clear guidelines are in place as part of the selection process to ensure a Queensland theme and flavour is also highlighted through the art works.”

Bekier said it was another way in which Queen’s Wharf, which has a major casino at its core, would “change the face of Brisbane”.

“We are creating a world-class tourism and entertainment destination in the heart of the CBD and art in all its forms will play a huge role in our offerings,” Bekier said.

A selection panel will be announced in the coming weeks, backed by a Specialist Artistic Advisory Group headed by Philip Bacon AM.

The Star Entertainment Group is the lead partner in DBC, a joint venture with Chow Tai Fook and Far East Consortium.