A push to find a new piece of public art for Dunedin’s Octagon is taking longer than expected, after ‘‘time constraints’’ led to the deadline for proposals being extended, the Dunedin City Council says.
The council announced in October it was seeking proposals from artists in Dunedin and across New Zealand to add a new piece of public art to the Octagon, for which the successful candidate would be paid $65,000.
Submissions closed on December 1 and it had been expected a shortlist of three projects would be finalised by December 20.
The successful proposal was selected by a panel comprising representatives from mana whenua, the arts community and council staff.
However, DCC Ara Toi relationship adviser council initiatives Lisa Wilkie this week confirmed the process had been delayed.
The council had received 22 proposals, of which over half came from Dunedin or Otago, while others had come from further afield, including from overseas, she said.
The need for appropriate mana whenua representation on the panel meant the shortlist was now not expected to be finalised until mid-February, she said.
Those who made the shortlist would be asked to develop a more detailed proposal.
