The annual Northern Rivers Community Gallery creative program for 2026 promises to deliver an exciting and inspiring year, with a dynamic mix of interdisciplinary and experimental contemporary exhibitions featuring local, regional and national artists.
Our Gallery Coordinator, Imbi Davidson, leads a dedicated team of staff and wonderful volunteers. Together, they’re set to make 2026 one of the Gallery’s most vibrant years yet.
Throughout the year, the Gallery will present a first-class exhibition program showcasing leading Australian artists alongside emerging talent. It will host the Byron School of Art and Southern Cross University Graduate Awards, and continue to build an inclusive, accessible and diverse arts program.
At the same time, Ignite Studios will deliver a rich suite of public programs, including creative workshops, in-conversation series, engaging community projects, and excitingly, the launch of a new community ceramics studio and kiln firing services.
NRCG is a vital and valuable arts organisation in the Ballina Shire and is essential to supporting the community’s vibrant arts and cultural life. I look forward to seeing the 2026 program come to life.
Cr Sharon Cadwallader | Mayor Ballina Shire
ANNUAL PROGRAM 2026
NRCG CREATIVE ACTION PLAN 2021-25
NRCG’s visitation and participation is set to continue to grow, boosted by the acquisition and co-location of Ignite Studios, local population and tourism growth, and the opening of the Ballina Coast High School and performance centre across the road. Ballina township is identified in the NSW Governments Far North Coast Regional Strategy as a developing major regional centre with forecast major population growth and demographic changes.
The Gallery's Creative Action Plan was placed on public exhibition between 19 May and 16 June 2021 and adopted at Council's Ordinary Council meeting on 26 August 2021. Community feedback received from an online feedback form and stakeholder workshop provided an extensive and highly ambitious vision for the future direction of the Northern Rivers Community Gallery (NRCG) across four strategic directions.
The key themes that emerged through the consultation process align with the four strategic directions identified in the plan. A review of the plan will take place every five years to ensure alignment with emerging priorities as they evolve.
View the 2021-2025 Creative Action Plan online: