Open Space: Open Call 2026

About this call

Open Space is a program at Newcastle Art Gallery in Newcastle, Australia, for artists with connections to the Hunter region to create an experimental body of work within the gallery. Each project runs for three months in Gallery 10, a 100 sqm first floor space with floor to ceiling windows, and might take the form of an open studio, an iterative installation, a research space or something unexpected. The gallery looks for projects that bring life to the space, consider audience engagement and show exchange between artists, art and visitors. Selected artists receive an artist fee, a materials contribution and support from gallery staff with curatorial guidance, installation, interpretive signage, documentation and promotion. This call is for the exhibition periods October 2027 to January 2028, February to May 2028, and May to September 2028.

Who can apply

• Limited by country or region
• Medium: Installation / Mixed Media
• Entry fee: See official site
• For artists with connections to the Hunter region; collectives and groups may apply. Submit one PDF with your name in the file title containing a concept proposal of up to 2 A4 pages (11pt font) answering what you want to make, how you would work with or within the gallery space, how the project is an experiment within your practice and how it might engage visitors, an artist CV of up to 2 pages, and up to 10 images of relevant previous work or one link to up to 5 minutes of video. A fully realised project plan is not required. Indicate which exhibition periods suit your project (more than one may be selected): October 2027 to January 2028, February to May 2028, or May to September 2028. Projects must be installable safely in 5 working days by two gallery staff with the artist, and should not affect temperature or humidity, attract pests or encourage mould, use organic materials that deteriorate, create particles or dust, need substantial rigging or engineering, or need continuous supervision for audiences. Projects must also accommodate Gallery 10's architecture (100 sqm, 4.15m walls, floor to ceiling windows, an opening balcony door). The fee is paid in stages: 50% of the artist fee with superannuation, then the materials contribution, then the balance. Artists are notified of the outcome on 9 December 2026.