THE ACT government is on the hunt for local graffiti artists, as five sites in South Canberra are set to be primed for new legal graffiti works. 

The sites are located at the Calwell stormwater drain under Tharwa Drive, the Narooma Street underpass at Isabella Plains, the old toilet block at Chifley Oval near Childe Place and the old toilet block at Jerrabomberra Oval, Narrabundah. The legal site at the underpass from Waramanga to Chifley under the Tuggeranong Parkway will receive a partial paint out to remove excess tags.

Minister for Territory and Municipal Services Shane Rattenbury says legal graffiti sites provide an opportunity for artists to improve their skills and develop street art that can be appreciated by others in the community without engaging in antisocial or criminal activity.

“The sites aim to divert people away from illegally placing graffiti on public and private assets, and towards productive pursuits such as legal street art,” Mr Rattenbury says.

The ACT Government currently manages 26 legal graffiti art sites across Canberra which are well used by the public, with sites usually located at stormwater drains, the walls of toilet blocks and underpasses and are signposted as a legal site.

“The area around legal sites must be kept clean and when full, they are routinely painted out to provide a blank canvas for new art,” says Mr Rattenbury.

“Legal graffiti sites aim to change the attitudes and behaviours of illegal graffitists through valuing their skills and encouraging self-improvement. Offensive graffiti including racist, violent or sexist work will not be tolerated and will be removed.”

Graffitists can approach TAMS to enquire about new sites to be added to the list. All proposed sites are thoroughly reviewed by TAMS prior to determine if they are appropriate.

Information on legal graffiti sites in Canberra, and their conditions of use can be found atwww.tams.act.gov.au