Experienced arts project managers with proven communication and delivery skills.
We value inclusiveness, collaboration and projects that create a better world. Public Art is a perfect way to do that, and ensure these values remain in front of mind.
We want to understand the values, principles and objectives that underpin our client’s needs on each specific project. To that end, we ensure the project brief is refined to create clear communication and delivery to our clients’ expectations.
About Us
Our experience is ideally suited to helping community leaders, arts policy directors and project planners reach more successful outcomes.
Our Approach
Our goals are to ensure that:
- project outcomes align with their intent and the client vision;
- the creative concept is nurtured; and
- each project is delivered on time and to budget.
When working with APPARATUS, you can expect:
- a personal ‘hands on’ approach by experienced professionals;
- flexibility around project evolution and client needs;
- a commitment to innovation and excellence;
- end-to-end professional services from concept to delivery and beyond.
Helen Curtis, Principal
Helen directs the APPARATUS core areas of art, place and culture.
With her national perspective and local knowledge, Helen merges project management disciplines and technical expertise with the ability to translate creative concepts into actuality, ensuring that projects run smoothly, on time, to budget.
Helen’s experience working collaboratively with local government, urban designers, architects, civil and transport engineers, landscape architects and environmental consultants to resolve complex site-specific challenges is an asset to clients.
Helen utilises her broad knowledge by being able to understand the complexities and sensitivities that crop up during the course of projects.
With over fifteen years experience in the disciplines of arts management, place-making and cultural services, in both private and public practice, Helen’s expertise lies in listening to clients, a rigorous attention to detail, passion for delivery of quality projects.
Email Helen at helen@apparatus.net.au
Connect with Helen on Linked In
Associates
Apparatus operates with Helen Curtis as the Principal and is augmented by Associates, appointed on a project-by-project basis.
The Apparatus Associate team includes specialists in fine art, collection management, curatorial direction, project management, event management, public relations, graphic design, engineering and administration.
Through working in this flexible way, Apparatus is in a position to build teams that respond directly to the demands of each project.
Case Studies
We’ve been helping public and private organisations in Australia to execute arts projects that are embraced by the community.
- Canning War Memorial
- Melville Public Art Strategy
- North Perth Town Centre
- Cottesloe Foreshore
- Weld Square
CANNING WAR MEMORIAL
Client: City of Canning, WA
Scope: Public Art Curating + Project Coordination
The new Canning War Memorial and Stage Facility was commissioned to commemorate the Centenary of the Anzac Landing at Gallipoli.
Working with artist Susanna Castleden and project architect Coniglio Ainsworth Architects, APPARATUS managed the public art component of the artwork, which was fully integrated with the architectural structure and interpreted the Australian war efforts.
Constructed from concrete and clad in black and grey granite, the memorial is a quiet, significant space that poignantly remembers past armed conflicts.
Susanna Castleden’s work conceptualises a 1915 map developed by the Australian Army for the ANZAC landing at Gallipoli. Pieces sandblasted black granite read the names of sites at Gallipoli as they mark out the trench lines along the memorial pathway.
The memorial includes prose by Western Australian author David Whish-Wilson reflecting on the impact of war beyond the battlefield. It is also one of the first Australian war memorials to include mention of the frontier wars fought with Aboriginal people.
PUBLIC ART REVIEW REPORT & MELVILLE CITY CENTRE PUBLIC ART STRATEGY
Client: City of Melville, WA
Scope: Public Art Review Report and Strategy
The Melville City Centre is one of the largest centres south of the Swan River, in the Perth Metropolitan area, and is the key Activity Centre in the City of Melville.
A new planning framework for the area, the Melville City Centre Structure Plan was developed, which provides for the Activity Centre’s transition over time from a shopping complex to a sophisticated mixed use city centre.
APPARATUS was engaged to review the City of Melville’s public art processes and prepare the Melville City Centre Public Art Strategy, a public art strategy created specifically for the activity centre.
The review report involved an audit of the City of Melville’s Public Art Policy and processes and provide recommendations to the administration about future improvements.
Through the Melville City Centre Public Art Strategy, the local government authority is ensured a coordinated approach to public art in the precinct, which will improve the amenity of the city centre and maximise public art relevance to site, value for money and community benefit.
The consultancy included analysing the Melville Community Planning Scheme, the Activity Centre Structure Plan and other planning documents, engaging stakeholders relevant to the activity centre
NORTH PERTH TOWN CENTRE
Client: City of Vincent, WA
Scope: Public Art Curating + Project Coordination
The City of Vincent contracted APPARATUS to procure and project manage a public artwork for the North Perth Town Centre; an urban village close to the Perth city centre.
The inner-city site had specific issues to be congisant of, which included being aware of the need not to impinge on pedestrian passageways and access, the high volume of vehicular traffic, the strong retail commercial environment and the warren of underground services.
The resulting artwork Robotopia by artist SI Hummerston is a series of four brightly coloured and finely detailed ‘retro-bots’ located along the Fitzgerald Street spine, designed to structure and punctuate the pedestrian experience and add a playful element to the streetscape.
COTTESLOE FORESHORE REDEVELOPMENT
Client: Town of Cottesloe, WA
Scope: Public Art Strategy and Project Management
Cottesloe Beach is a Western Australian icon, recognised as the most popular beach in Perth, and a place to go for visitors to Western Australia.
APPARATUS has been employed on the CARNDO design team to undertake the public art and interpretive elements of the concept design and construction management of the Cottesloe Foreshore redevelopment.
The Town intends to redevelop the public spaces of the Cottesloe Foreshore in conjunction with the growing interest in private development. In addition, the Town desires to create a safe and vibrant public space that is sympathetic to its heritage as a place with significant social and Indigenous history.
The finished Cottesloe Foreshore will tell the stories of Cottesloe through public art, street furniture, retention of historical artefacts, inclusion of photographic scenes in the built form, and interpretive signage.
WELD SQUARE: CELEBRATING THE COOLBAROO LEAGUE
Client: City of Vincent, WA
Scope: Public Art Curating + Project Coordination
Weld Square is parkland located in the heart of inner city Northbridge, a relaxing natural space with a fascinating history.
APPARATUS was engaged by the City of Vincent to help develop a public artwork for Weld Square that celebrates the Aboriginal community.
Weld Square was, and still is, a popular meeting place for Aboriginal people. The park is close by to where the Coolbaroo League developed a strong voice for the Aboriginal community. The League started up a social club for Aboriginal peoplr holding weekly dances, set up the Coolbaroo Aboriginal shop of souvenirs and art, the first Noongar business in the city, created the first Aboriginal newspaper in WA and grew to become part of a wider movement for Aboriginal rights.
This artwork by Sandra Hill and Jenny Dawson will tell the story of how a stoic and optimistic community survived in a city which practised unofficial apartheid to develop a safe place where Aboriginal people could gather with dignity and respect, take pride in being Aboriginal, dance and have fun.
Testimonials
Recent Projects
Insightful and thorough with an incredible eye for detail, Helen will give you full confidence in the delivery of your project. She understands the brief, the critical challenges – and maps a clear way forward. Cool under pressure, Helen is highly organised and professional.
John Carey, Mayor, City of Vincent
Helen’s extensive knowledge of public art, art policy and best practice in the industry has been extremely valuable, as has her experience working with developers and multiple stakeholders. Helen’s understanding of local government process and perspective has also been a great advantage to us, along with her ‘big-picture’ thinking. Helen has a professional, personable approach to her clients and has provided excellent communication to the City of Melville and its stakeholders on this project. I would recommend working with her on future projects.
Julia Robinson-White, City of Melville
The City of Canning engaged Helen to provide advice and management of the arts component of the Community Stage War Memorial project. The professional approach throughout the project, practical advice, creative insight as well as the clear and effective communication directly contributed to the outstanding artistic outcome that will be appreciated and enjoyed by the community for decades to come.
Paul Merlo, City of Canning