What

Melville Contemporary is a biennial commissioning program open to professional artists based in WA. Artists are commissioned to create new artwork/s for a group exhibition, in any artform or materials. The commission is non-acquisitive.

Why

The prize supports ambitious practice from WA contemporary artists by providing a paid opportunity to make and present experimental work to the public. We are particularly interested in work that is exploratory – where artists try new things or work in unusual ways or ideas.

How

Artists are selected from a public callout – it is free and easy to apply – simply upload a concise CV, link to artist website and to socials. Applications are checked against selection criteria, and then passed to a judging panel who select six winners based on their previous arts practice. These winners are commissioned to produce new work for a group exhibition at Goolugatup in September 2025.

Each artist is provided a $3,000 commissioning fee. Artists are also supported with curatorial assistance, promo, install, sales support, photographic documentation. At the exhibition opening, one artist is selected to receive an invitation to exhibit solo in 2026-27, an opportunity with $3,000 additional artist fees and a free residency.

Who

This prize is only open to professional contemporary artists – those with recognised exhibition history and/or relevant formal education. Artists must be Australian citizens or permanent residents and be based in WA  or consider it home.

When

Applications open 6 May 2024 – 2 1 June 2024, and finalists are notified 2-4 weeks following. Exhibition scheduled 20 September – 2 November 2025 (TBC close date)

Where

Galleries 1 & 2 at Goolugatup Heathcote, 58-60 Duncraig Rd, Applecross WA 6153.