Women are systematically underrepresented in public life, with their achievements and contributions historically overlooked.
This is why Our equal state, the Victorian Government’s gender equality strategy, prioritises elevating women’s achievements and supporting women artists through the Victorian Women’s Public Art Program.
The Victorian Women’s Public Art Program is funded by the Victorian Government’s Community Support Fund and run in partnership with McClelland Sculpture Park + Gallery. McClelland supports contemporary artists to develop, create and present their work, and manages a range of programs to commission artwork.
2025 commissioned artworks
In 2024, organisations were invited to apply for funding under the second round of the program. Thirteen projects were shortlisted to be part of a public engagement process. The Victorian community were invited to have their say on which stories they would most like to see honoured through art.
Six new artworks have been commissioned.
The first to be announced is Barbara Rae – the winning captain of the first women’s cricket match held in Australia in 1874.
A sculpture honouring Barbara will be created by the City of Greater Bendigo on Dja Dja Wurrung country.
Read more about Barbara Rae’s story.
Stand by for more announcements soon!
Previous grant recipients
Victorian Women's Public Art Program - First round grant recipients
Six public artworks honouring Victorian women were created with support from the Program.
Finding Her is Australia’s first interactive state-wide digital map spotlighting women’s commemorative sites. You can read about these public art projects and many more at Finding Her.
Follow along on social channels
Share the stories of inspirational Victorian women via Women Victoria and DFFH’s social media channels.
Women Victoria
- Facebook: @womenvic
- Instagram: @womenvictoria
- Twitter: @womenvictoria
Department of Families, Fairness and Housing
- Facebook: @VicGovDFFH
- Twitter: @VicGovDFFH
- LinkedIn: @VicGovDFFH
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