Local artists give Gold Coast a spray
Gold Coast Council is calling for local artists to add even more colour to the Glitter Strip with its popular public initiative.
To reduce graffiti and vandalism, Gold Coast Council has extended its Artbox project – promising to pay even more local artists to design and paint street art for the metal signal boxes at traffic interchanges.
The initiative was already showing signs of reducing vandalism while transforming neighbourhoods and supporting local artists by showcasing selected artworks across the coast.
Traffic signal boxes on the Gold Coast are often targeted with graffiti due to their visible locations at major intersections, according to the council.
Artbox project is part of the council’s graffiti prevention strategy, offering a contribution of $550 per artwork to successful artists.
The Gold Coast council said it was encouraging artists, community groups and schools to get involved for the chance to have their work covering boxes using high-quality laminate.
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Gold Coast Acting Mayor Mark Hammel said since the project was first introduced in 2008, it has led to the creation of more than 190 artworks across the Gold Coast.
“The City invests approximately $15,000 into the Artbox program annually, with the aim to install artwork to at least 14 locations across the Gold Coast each year,” Hammel said.
He added that by adding unique artwork to Gold Coast streets, the project takes away blank canvases for vandals and reduces the need for graffiti removal costs.
“Graffiti has a negative impact on the community, decreasing actual and perceived safety in our neighbourhoods and costs the City approximately $700,000 per year,” Hammel said.
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“Artbox has become an extremely popular incentive for local artists and gives them a platform to show their creativity while contributing to a clean and safe community.”
In a City of Gold Coast Facebook post about the project, local members of the community expressed their support for the initiative.
One commenter welcomed the project extention, saying she often takes photographs of the decorated traffic boxes.
“This is the best idea! Great initiative!”
Another commenter praised the City of Gold Coast and it’s dedication to bettering the coastal city.
“What a fantastic place to be… everywhere you go council are constantly working hard to make the Gold Coast a beautiful holiday destination.”
The Artbox 2026 project is currently open for submissions, which close on Monday March 2.
