West Space Commissions
The West Space Commission is an investment in artists and practice development. The program provides curatorial and organisational support for the development, presentation, and communication of ambitious new work in our main gallery.
What we offer
- A commission fee of $5,000 plus superannuation;
- Assistance in seeking additional funding to support the production and presentation of the work; and
- 12-18 months for the development of new work through access to the West Space team and our networks, culminating in an eight-week presentation.
West Space Commissions offer a supportive space for experimentation, mentorship, and building sector connections. Projects are shared with local, national, and international peers and professionals. We showcase work to our audiences through writing, public discussions and performance programmes.
2027 West Space Commission
Submissions for the 2027 West Space Commissions closed on 26 September. Applicants will be notified in December 2025.
Commissions are selected by our Artist Committee and artist members of our Board: Aida Azin, Alicia Frankovich, Eugenia Lim, James Nguyen, Joshua Pether, Sarah Poulgrain, Jahkarli Felicitas Romanis and Kaspar Schmidt Mumm with our curatorial team.
Watch the information session with Tahmina Maskinyar, West Space curator, and Akil Ahamat, 2024 Commission artist:
Selection Criteria
- Clear and compelling conceptual rationale;
- Consideration of West Space Values as listed on our website and these guidelines;
- Suitability for gallery size (90 square metres) and scale;
- Ambition and readiness to partake in the opportunity as demonstrated through support material;
- Conceptually rigorous artistic practice as demonstrated through support material; and
- Experience to realise the project as demonstrated through support material.
Eligibility
- The West Space Commission is open to artists living in Australia; artists living in Victoria are strongly encouraged to apply.
- Each Commission year, West Space endeavours to award at least one Commission opportunity to a First Nations artist.
- Seeking to redress historical imbalances, we will prioritise applications from First Nations artists, Culturally and Linguistically Diverse artists, and artists from d/Deaf or Disabled communities.
Looking towards 2027
Applicants were invited to reflect on the following prompts:
- What narratives are currently shaping local and global geographies?
- What artistic gestures are emerging from the margins of these contexts?
- How can artistic work become a space for listening, translation, and reimagination?
Recent Commissions
- 2026: Daisy Collier (Vic), Wassila Abboud (NSW)
- 2025: Katie West (WA), Tina Stefanou (Vic)
- 2024: Akil Ahamat (NSW), Gabi Briggs (Vic)
- 2023: HOSSEI (NSW), Grace Culley (Vic)
- 2022: Hoang Tran Nguyen (Vic), Joel Sherwood Spring (NSW) & Victoria Pham (Aus/Paris)
“There are few opportunities in Australia that offer artists the ability to transition out of the emerging phase of their career by creating a significant body of work with long development time, curatorial support and considered programming.” — Akil Ahamat
“With West Space, it’s never just a show — it’s a relationship. One that continues to grow, hold, and champion practice for the long run.
West Space gave me the freedom to be ambitious, vulnerable, and experimental. What sets West Space apart is their deep trust in artists and commitment to supporting you every step of the way, and long after the show is over. Their care and belief in work that’s risky, tender, or comes from the margins doesn’t just enable the work — it transforms it. It transforms careers." — HOSSEI
“I applied for the West Space Commission one year after graduating from art school — when I was hungry to sink my teeth into a new project.
West Space made me feel nurtured and supported, offering professional development and industry networks to realise my project. The balance of freedom and structure allowed me to grow in ways that suit the ways my mind and body works. It prepared me to take on the next phase of my career with a confident and ambitious mindset and a network of like-minded artists and arts workers.” — Grace Culley
