About West Space

West Space is a leading independent, non-profit contemporary arts organisation.

West Space is responsive to the evolving needs of artists, with rigorous programming that reflects the breadth of artistic practice in Australia and the complexities of our times.

West Space cultivates a personalised approach to the experience of contemporary art. This is where enduring relationships to people, art and ideas can begin.

Steven Rhall, ‘Big Pharmakon’, 2021, West Space, Collingwood Yards, Wurundjeri Country. Photography by Janelle Low.

Programs

West Space Gallery

Our main space, showcasing experimental solo, collaborative and curatorial projects.

West Space Window

Our micro-project space, on the facade of the gallery.

West Space Offsite

Our digital platform, publishing artist-led content and writing in support of our artistic program.

West Space Studio

Our fully subsidised studio, offering residencies above our gallery and office.

Three large projection screens displaying scenes of people sitting around a table weaving, with a shadowy black silhouette running horizontally across the wall. The room has wooden flooring and several black bean bags positioned in front of the projections.
Gabi Briggs, 'ARKAN & IRBELA', 2024, installation view, West Space, Collingwood Yards. Photography by Janelle Low.

Values

First Nations First

West Space operates on Wurundjeri Country, in a nation with an Aboriginal past, present, and future. First Nations voices are embed across our governance, artistic program and discussions.

Creativity

West Space empowers underrepresented artists, encouraging experimentation, risk-taking and growth.

We support practice that is conceptually rigorous, ambitious, socially and politically engaged, self-reflexive about the role of art in society, and introduces new ideas or ways of thinking.

Community

West Space creates space for voices across culture, class, gender, and ability. We connect across the nation and beyond.

West Space listens and responds to the evolving needs and ideas of artists. We advocate for artists and arts professionals, mentor early career creatives and lead conversations.

Hospitality & Accessibility

West Space strives to be open and welcoming. With an understanding that art is for everyone, we contextualise works of art, and communicate complex ideas clearly.

Artist HOSSEI's audio-visual artwork THUNDERBLOOM. Three screens glow with the projected images of performers, bright backgorund colours and captioned lyrics.
HOSSEI, 'THUNDERBLOOM', 2023, West Space, Collingwood Yards. Photography by Janelle Low.

Statement of solidarity

West Space stands for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza. Artists and allies are speaking truth to power, emboldening their audiences. Artists: we see you. We recognise and support the important work that you are doing — and you are not alone.

1993 → 2025

West Space was founded by artists in 1993, in the western suburb of Footscray. West Space was of the few artist-run spaces in Naarm/Melbourne presenting a critically engaged, multidisciplinary program, accessible through peer-assessed applications. The founding co-Directors were Brett Jones and Sarah Stubbs.

In 2000, West Space relocated to Anthony Street in the CBD, and in 2005, formed a Board with the strategic skills to steer and grow the organisation.

In 2011, West Space moved to a site spanning five exhibition spaces on Bourke Street. In 2014, we began actively commissioning new work. In 2017, we introduced NAVA-rated fees for all exhibiting artists. As one of the few organisations our size to take this landmark and critical step, West Space is recognised as an exemplary model for best practice.

In 2020, West Space moved to the inner-north, to a single space in multi-arts precinct Collingwood Yards, alongside fellow creatives, not-for-profit organisations and social enterprises.

Audiences viewing Akil Ahamat, 'Extinguishing Hope', 2024, West Space, Collingwood Yards. Photography by Janelle Low.

Here, our focus is on ambitious projects with long incubation periods by artists at all stages in their careers. This is exemplified by the West Space Commission, offering 12-18 months of support across the development, delivery, and communication of new work.

In 2023, West Space launched our Studio program, offering short-term residencies for local artists and international visiting artists among the cohort of studio artists in Collingwood Yards.

West Space's current program involves five major projects in our main space each year, activated by performances, discussion and smaller-scale works in-person and online. We largely program by invitation, with a selection of Commissions, Windows and Studio residencies accessible via open-call.

Today, West Space combines the flexibility and creative freedom of an artist-run initiative, with the professional infrastructure and curatorial support of a larger public institution. This affords us a unique position - with the ability to act as a conduit across the arts ecology, connecting national and intergenerational peers and concerns.

Rosie Isaac, Archie Barry, Joshua Pether, Brian Fuata, and Helen Grogan at the 'Stranger than fiction' Symposium, 2024. Photography by Machiko Abe.