Exhibition Applications

Applications

Umbrella invites applications from established, mid-career and emerging contemporary visual artists and curators seeking to present new and original work in a professional gallery environment. There are roughly three sizes of exhibition spaces for applications: a large space, a medium space, and small spaces including The Vault. Different terms and conditions apply for the use of each space. More information can be found in the exhibitions floorplans document below, which includes the floor-to-ceiling wall in the back of the space, sponsored by Hurst Construction in 2022. Applicants can otherwise get a feel for the ground level (prior to the new wall) by viewing previous exhibitions here. Please read all of the below information, deadlines and the associated documents before applying.

Application Assessment

Exhibition applications are usually assessed twice a year by Umbrella's Exhibition Selection Advisory Panel, however applications are accepted at any time. When assessing applications, the panel primarily considers: the conceptual and aesthetic innovation and professional gallery standard of the proposed exhibitions; and whether the artworks will extend visitors knowledge and appreciation of contemporary visual arts. Public program opportunities are also considered however from 2025 will no longer form part of the assessment weighting. Umbrella's program is guided by four pillars: excellence, innovation, critical engagement and community. The panel also embraces equity and diversity, with a preference for accepting proposals from artists who have not exhibited at Umbrella within the previous two years. The panel may rate applications lower if: the exhibition is significantly motivated by commercial interests / outcomes or the exhibition is very similar to previous work (or the same work) exhibited either in Umbrella or elsewhere locally. Applications will also be assessed according to whether Umbrella is deemed the most suitable local or regional venue for the work. 

Successful applicants receive an exhibition agreement letter detailing their exhibition arrangements and a consignment agreement for the works they will exhibit. Template forms of these (and associated documents) are provided below for reference. Applicants and exhibitors must refer to and adhere to the guidelines within these documents and the policies listed on this page.  

Application Deadlines

Umbrella strongly encourages proposals from emerging artists, First Nations artists, culturally and linguistically diverse artists and artists with lived experience of disability.  Should you require support or an alternate proposal method to meet your needs please contact us. If you are a non-Indigenous artist and your proposed artworks for exhibition containing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander subject matter you will need to explain your process for obtaining permission to use Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property.  Excellent resources to support you in this can be found here.
- Applications are accepted at any time, however the next assessment panel will meet in mid 2025. To have your application assessed in this round, ensure you submit by midnight Sunday 20 April 2025. Applications received after this date will be assessed in the following round (likely to be September 2025). 
- Applications will predominantly be considered for 2026 onwards. 

Artist Fee & Commission Policies
- Umbrella will pay exhibition fees to artists who are successful through this application process, and applicable artist fees will be outlined in agreements with artists. We also aspire to implement the artist fee recommendations outlined by the National Association of Visual Arts (NAVA). We acknowledge the many payment tiers and provisions within their recommendations. When allocating artist fees, the exhibition committee therefore considers several elements of the proposals including the career level of the artist/s, the scale of the exhibition and whether the exhibited works are new and / or will be for sale.
- For group exhibitions, any artist fee payable will be paid to a group representative, who must split the payment equally with the remaining artist/s. 
- Umbrella takes a 40% commission on exhibition sales. Please see reference agreement templates below for further details.

Membership Policies
- Individual applicants must be members to apply and also to exhibit.  To become a member, click here.
- For group exhibitions when applicants are applying independently from an organisation, all exhibitors must be Umbrella members at the time of the exhibition. At the time of application, the group representative must be an Umbrella member.
- For group exhibitions when applicants are representing an organisation, the organisation must be an Umbrella Organisational Member ($250 per year) at the time of application and of the exhibition. Please contact [email protected] to organise payment for this fee.
- For group exhibitions when applicants are representing a Not For Profit organisation or organisation in partnership with Umbrella, lesser fees may be payable. If applicable, please contact [email protected] to discuss.

Other tips
- Firstly, ensure you draft your application in a Word Document. This will ensure that you have it as a back up if your computer or technology with the online form glitches.
- Ensure all fields of the form marked with * are completed - these are mandatory fields and your application will not submit without them. 
- Proofread your application and get a colleague or friend to read through it. Does it make sense to them?
- Include high quality photographs of your artworks. Consider hiring a professional photographer. Even if you are not successful in your application, you will have these photos to use and promote your artwork.
- One-on-one consultations can also be booked with Umbrella's Director or Gallery Manager depending on their availability. These can help artists to hone and improve their applications prior to submitting. Umbrella members: 30mins for $30 or 1hr for $60 // Non-members 30mins for $40 or 1hr for $80. To become a member, click here.   
- Umbrella also holds annual Creative Industries Sessions on topics such as Social Media for Artists; Writing Art Texts and Exhibition Applications; Photography for Artists; and Websites for Artists for those who are interested in applying to exhibit at Umbrella or elsewhere or promoting artwork online. Keep an eye on Umbrella's Public Programs for upcoming sessions.  

Exhibition Applications

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Ensure you draft your application in a Word Document. This will ensure that you have it as a back up if your computer or technology with the online form glitches.