Civic Square, Canberra

Civic Square is a significant cultural and governmental hub, housing key institutions such as the Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly, Canberra Museum and Gallery, Civic Library, and Canberra Theatre. It also hosts various cultural organizations, including the Canberra division of the National Trust of Australia. Designed by Yuncken Freeman architects and completed in 1961, Civic Square is positioned along a primary axis in Walter Burley Griffin's design for Canberra, linking City Hill and Mount Ainslie. Griffin envisioned the square as the "heart of the city," a vision that has been realized over the decades.

The Canberra Theatre, a cornerstone of Civic Square, opened its doors in June 1965 with a performance of Swan Lake by the Australian Ballet. The Playhouse, originally built alongside the theatre in 1965, was demolished and rebuilt in 1998, further modernizing the precinct. The connection between the Theatre and Playhouse buildings now includes the Civic Library, as well as the theatre's bar and administrative areas, making it a central point for cultural and social activities in Canberra.

A prominent feature of Civic Square is the "Ethos" sculpture by Tom Bass, commissioned by the National Capital Development Commission in 1959 and unveiled in 1961. This sculpture, which Bass considered his most important civic work, symbolizes the spirit of the Canberra community. The figure is robed in a fabric embossed with emblems representing the community, and it stands on a six-sided saucer that reflects the hexagonal plan of Civic Square. The sculpture's bursting sun represents culture and enlightenment, aligning with Canberra's role as a center of education, research, and diplomacy.

Throughout the 1960s and 70s, the "Ethos" sculpture was frequently featured in tourism images, underscoring its importance as an emblem of Canberra's identity.