Groundswell 2027

About this call

Groundswell is a new platform for emergent Western Australian artistic practice at Vessel, an independent, non-profit contemporary art space in the Naval Store building in Fremantle, Australia. A national curatorium of four curators and artists (Sharmila Wood, Amelia Wallin, Katie West and Josephine Skinner) will select five to seven artists for an exhibition opening in July 2027. Emergent is not defined by age or career stage: it can mean an early-career artist, an established artist moving in a new direction, or experimental and interdisciplinary approaches. The call asks for ambitious, experimental work of scale for the raw, heritage-listed warehouse. Stage 1 is an expression of interest by email; about 10 shortlisted artists are paid $200 to develop a concept proposal. Selected artists receive a $2,000 artist fee and a $3,000 production budget. The exhibition runs 10 July to 22 August 2027.

Who can apply

• Limited by country or region
• Medium: Installation / Mixed Media
• Entry fee: See official site
• Essential criterion: applicants must be based in Western Australia. Stage 1 is an expression of interest emailed to general@vesselcontemporary.org by 7 November 2026: name, pronouns (optional), where you are based in Western Australia, email, phone, an artist statement of up to 300 words, a 'Why Groundswell?' text of up to 200 words, 5 to 10 images of recent or relevant work with artist, title, year, materials and dimensions or duration, links for moving image, sound, digital or performance work (with passwords where required), and a CV of up to two pages. You do not need to propose a specific artwork at this stage. Assessed on strength of practice (30%), relevance (30%), emergence and direction (20%) and potential (20%). Indicative timetable: about 10 shortlisted artists notified 22 November 2026, concept proposals due 10 January 2027 (paid a $200 honorarium), final selection mid January 2027. Selected artists install from Monday 28 June to Wednesday 7 July 2027; opening night Friday 9 July; the exhibition is open 10 July to 22 August 2027, Wednesday to Sunday; bump-out 23 to 27 August. The building is heritage listed, not climate controlled and not dust free. Specialised technology and equipment beyond Vessel's projectors and AV must be factored into the production budget and procured through hire, purchase, sponsorship or in-kind support.