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Applications to exhibit with us open 1 July 2024. 

The Northern Rivers Community Gallery (NRCG) welcomes exhibition proposals from artists, designers, curators, community and cultural groups in all art forms that display innovative ideas and approaches to contemporary arts practice. We value socially engaged, research-based, and experimental projects that will captivate and challenge our audiences.⁠ We strongly encourage applications from First Nations artists, artists from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, Deaf and Disabled artists and LGBTQIA+ artists.⁠ 

The Northern Rivers Community Gallery (NRCG) is housed in a heritage building, built in 1927 as the original Ballina Municipal Council Chambers. Our facility features four professional exhibition spaces with the ability to present a diverse exhibition program. NRCG works with both emerging and established artists to support professional development opportunities.

Applications are accepted only during an exhibition call out period. Applications must be received by the submission deadline to be considered. As of 1 July 2023, there will be no exhibitor fees for exhibitions with NRCG, however, the gallery retains a 40% commission on sold work. 


KEY DATES 2024 

APPLICATIONS OPEN  |  1 July 2024

CLOSING DATE |   31 August 2024

For further information or enquiries contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or phone the Gallery on 6681 0530 

 

 


 


Virtual 3D scan of the Gallery spaces

 

Exhibition applications must include the following:

  1. A completed exhibition application form
  2. Exhibition rationale - limited to one A4 page
  3. Curriculum Vitae - limited to one A4 page for solo artist or three A4 pages for an artist group
  4. Up to 5 high resolution digital images (300dpi, 1-2MB) of recent work by each artist. Images may be provided on disc, via email or in hardcopy (applications supplied without visual material included will not be assessed)
  5. If exhibition proposed is to raise funds for a not-for-profit organisation, a fundraising outline must be attached detailing who / what the fundraising is for and how the funds will be raised

Selection is based on five key criteria:

  1. Clarity: Clear and cohesive exhibition rationale
  2. Innovation: High level of aesthetic values and understanding
  3. Quality: Examples of work that demonstrate experience in producing safe, high quality artworks to maintain public gallery standards
  4. Curatorial: Relevance to other exhibitions in adjoining spaces or wider Gallery programming
  5. Diversity: Preference will be given to applicants who have not exhibited within the previous twelve month period

Services included:

  • layout and installation of the exhibition
  • curatorial advice and support
  • management of artwork sales
  • use of plinths and up to 2 x digital projectors with 2 channel Audio
  • vinyl signage, artwork labels and room didactic panels
  • printed exhibition flyers
  • digital e-flyers
  • promotion of the exhibition and a launch event
  • supervision of the exhibition during gallery hours

All exhibitions run for a period of 8 weeks.

Note: Artists are not required to pay exhibition hire fees from July 2023 onwards, as part of Ballina Shire Council's new fees and charges structure. 

Ballina Gallery Floor Plan Full Gallery

Northern Rivers Community Gallery (NRCG) welcomes exhibition proposals from artists, designers, curators, community and cultural groups in all art forms including but not limited to: visual arts, sculpture, craft, design, digital media, performance, installation/site-specific works and cultural heritage that display innovative ideas and approaches to contemporary art practice.

NRCG presents innovative projects from emerging, mid-career and established artists. Our facility features four professional exhibition spaces with the ability to support diverse creative outputs. We strongly encourage applications from First Nations artists, artists from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, Deaf and Disabled artists and LGBTQIA+ artists.⁠

NRCG seeks to support a broad range of projects and approaches to contemporary art practice. We particularly value socially-engaged, research-based, and experimental projects that will captivate and challenge our audiences.⁠

Applications are usually assessed once a year for the following financial year exhibition period. A Gallery Program panel will consider all applications received by the due date. All applicants will be advised in writing as to the outcome of their application.

For further enquiries contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 BEFORE APPLYING - GENERAL INFORMATION

1. Services provided to the exhibitor for the duration of the exhibition include: supervision of the exhibition during gallery hours, layout and installation of the exhibition, management of artwork sales, use of plinths, up to 2 x digital projectors with 2 channel Audio, vinyl signage for the title of the exhibition, artwork labels and room didactic panels, printed exhibition flyers, digital e-flyers, promotion of the exhibition and a launch event.

2. Once accepting an offer to exhibit at the Gallery, exhibitors must make every effort to honour the specified dates. An exhibitor must provide at least six months’ notice to cancel an exhibition. Any cancellations within six months of the commencement date of the exhibition will incur a cancellation fee.

4. The Gallery retains a 40% commission on all artwork, commissions, orders and shop stock sales made during the exhibition period. From 1 July 2023, Gallery commissions will be increased to 40%. 

5. A minimum of 80% of the items within any exhibition must be available for sale.

6. Exhibitors are responsible for ensuring all artworks are delivered ready to be installed and for collecting and deinstalling their artwork at the close of the exhibition.

7. As the Gallery is housed in a heritage listed building holes or hooks cannot be placed in the structural walls or the ceiling. The Gallery has some contemporary walls in Gallery spaces 2 and 4 on which very light works can be pinned (eg works on paper).

8. The Gallery utilises a Victorian hanging system (nylon cords from picture rail that hooks onto D-rings). Hanging works must be suitably framed with D-rings secured 5cm from the top of the frame. Hanging works must not exceed 1.9m high to allow access to the building or be more than 8kgs in weight.

9. For group exhibitions consisting of five (5) or more participating members the following guidelines are applicable:

  • Payment for Gallery consignment sales will be paid directly to the member organisation to manage individual member payments independently of the Gallery. An itemised consignment sales listing will be provided to the member organisation at the end of the exhibition period.
  • Artist Group member organisations will be required to provide an ABN number and bank account details to Ballina Shire Council (BSC) to process payment for all consignment sales made during the exhibition.
  • One or two members are to be nominated as primary contacts with the Gallery Coordinator, to facilitate the exhibition requirements.

10. Public programs, including artist’s talks or education programs can be developed by the Gallery to run alongside exhibitions and are at the discretion of the Gallery. Exhibitors are not permitted to develop public programs for NRCG hosted exhibitions independent of the Gallery.

11. The Gallery Coordinator has the right to reject the installation of any artwork considered not to be of Gallery standards, be unsafe or inappropriate for display.

12. Visitors to the Gallery are permitted to take photographs with hand-held devices for personal use only. Use of tripod, flash and additional lighting is prohibited. Images photographed under this policy cannot be reproduced or used commercially.

13. While all due care will be taken with supplied items, Northern Rivers Community Gallery is not responsible for loss, theft or damage. Suppliers are responsible for their own insurance cover of their exhibition content while on display at the Gallery and in transit.

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