Apply
Applications are open for the 2026 West Space Commission Program.
Two successful artists, duos or collectives will receive support to develop a project for presentation in our main gallery space.
Submissions close 3pm, Friday 25 October. Apply here.
About West Space:
West Space is the leading independent visual arts organisation in Naarm/Melbourne's inner-north, located in multi-arts precinct Collingwood Yards.
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.
About the Commission Program:
The West Space Commission is an opportunity to develop and present new work with the guidance and mentorship of our team.
The commission provides professional pathways for early career artists, growing their capacity, networks and audiences. For mid-career artists, we support experimentation and risk-taking outside the demands of larger institutions.
Through discursive writing and programming, developed with the commissioned artist, we communicate and contextualise contemporary art to our ever-growing audiences.
Commissions are selected by our Artist Committee, comprising artists on our Board alongside a rotating cohort of creatives based across the nation.
What we offer:
- Artist fee of $5,000 (plus Superannuation);
- 6-8 week exhibition period in 2026;
- 12-18 months development, and a supportive platform for experimentation;
- An accompanying essay and public program;
- Connection to local, regional, national and international peers, industry professionals and audiences.
What we are looking for:
- Expressions of interest that are conceptually rigorous, socially and politically engaged, self-reflexive about the role of art in society, and introduce new ideas or ways of thinking to our community.
- Seeking to redress historical imbalances, we will prioritise applications from First Nations artists, culturally and linguistically diverse artists, gender diverse artists, d/Deaf artists and/or artists with lived experience of disability.
Selection criteria:
- Clear and compelling conceptual rationale;
- Consideration of West Space Values;
- Suitability for gallery size (90sqm) and scale;
- Ambition and readiness to partake in the opportunity;
- Ability to realise the project, as demonstrated by an appropriate level of experience and support material.
Recent West Space Commissions include:
Joel Sherwood Spring & Victoria Pham: TERRA: Memory + Soil (2022)
Hoang Tran Nguyen: House of Mother Tongue, House of Other Tongue (2022)
Grace Culley: Surprised face; Heart eyes (2023)
HOSSEI: THUNDERBLOOM (2023)
wani toaishara: a most beautiful experiment (2023)
Our current exhibition, Gabi Briggs: ARKAN & IRBELA (2024)
And upcoming projects by Akil Ahamat (2024), Katie West (2025) and Tina Stefanou (2025)
Access and more information:
Opportunities are selected from a short written application and examples of previous work. We also accept answers as audio or video.
For questions about the opportunity or the application contact info@westspace.org.au before 6pm, Thursday 24 October. Tech support available until submissions close.
If you have difficulty completing online forms, contact sebastian@westspace.org.au to organise an alternative presentation method.
We held an Online Info Session on Friday 11 October. If you missed it, view last year's session with West Space Curator Sebastian Henry-Jones and 2023 Commission artist Grace Culley: