Opportunities
Heidi Kenyon, From little things… (installation detail), 2018. Photograph Grant Hancock.
Guildhouse is all about connecting creatives with opportunities.
We share a variety of opportunities on offer through our partner organisations and the wider industry. In this section you can explore a variety of Art Prizes, Commissions, Proposals, Call Outs, Residencies, Mentorships, Career Development, Grants and Funding opportunities.
The opportunities listed here are independent from Guildhouse. Please follow the links or contact information provided for further information.
Grants & Funding
CreateSA Funding and Grants
The Government of South Australia is committed to supporting the state’s arts, culture and creative industries.
Investment and support is available through a range of grants, funding and initiatives provided through CreateSA.
February 2026 Funding Round:
Closing 2 February 2026
Creative Australia Investment and Development Opportunities
Creative Australia offers a range of funding opportunities including Arts Projects for individuals, Groups or Organisations. Visit the website for further details and funding round dates.
City of Adelaide Quick Response Grants
Quick Response Grants are for a maximum of $5,000. Applications must be submitted at least 6 weeks before the project start date.
Examples of Quick Response Grants projects include – Accessible and low-cost performances, exhibitions, cultural events, festivals, concerts, public artworks.
Ripple Effect Mirco-grants
Ripple Grants fund transformational projects that build and shape communities at local scale. The process is competitive, with an emphasis on projects that are clear, achievable and have impact.
Micro-grants of $1500 are awarded to a different project every second month, as decided by our incredible group of donors based on the applications received over the previous 8 weeks.
Ian Potter Cultural Trust Emerging Artist Grants
The Ian Potter Cultural Trust runs three Funding Rounds per year to support emerging Australian artists to undertake professional development opportunities to gain experience, develop networks and learn skills from leaders in their field.
Now open: closing 20 January 2026
Regional Arts Australia Fund
The Regional Arts Fund provides open, competitive grants through two streams: Project Grants and Quick Response Grants.
Quick Response Grants are delivered monthly from February to November. Each round opens on the first day of the month and closes on the last day of the month.
Carclew Grants & Funding
Carclew is Australia’s largest multi-artform cultural institution dedicated to children and young people.
Carclew offers:
- Fellowships
- Project and Development Grants for Individuals
- Project and Development Grants for Organisations
- Capacity Building Grants for Organisations
Carclew Grants & Funding
Helpmann Academy offers a range of grants, fellowships, commissions, residencies and more to support and empower eligible emerging creatives when you graduate.
Country Arts SA Grants
Grants are available to support arts and cultural activities in regional South Australia that are sustainable, have long term cultural, economic and social benefits, develop partnerships and cultural networks and provide skills development opportunities.
Round Two 2025/26: Opens 2 February 2026 and closes 16 March 2026
City of Port Adelaide Enfield Grants
Whether you’re kickstarting a cultural project, an environmental initiative or a local event, these grants empower your group to make a lasting impact and foster stronger community bonds.
The Independent Arts Foundation
The IAF is a registered charity managed entirely by volunteers. Its role is to support the development of the arts in South Australia by contributing grants to individuals or groups who are in the early stages of their artistic journey and wish to develop their work, locally, interstate and overseas, particularly emerging artists of any age who may be writers, actors, performers and musicians, or projects that benefit emerging artists.
Round 1 2026: Opening 1 March, closing 1 May
Round 2 2026: Opening 1 August, closing 1 October
Nexus 40 for 40 quick response grant
This grant, of up to $1000, is available to support First Nations artists and those who identify as being culturally and racially marginalised or culturally and linguistically diverse, based in South Australia.
Open to all eligible artists, this grant can be used to access small project or professional arts development and training opportunities that arise at short notice, or that fall outside the scope of other funding opportunities from funding bodies such as Arts South Australia.
Gordon Darling Foundation Grants
The Gordon Darling Foundation is a perpetual public charitable trust, established in 1991 to “support Australia-wide, activities of importance in the Visual Arts.”
The Foundation can only provide funding to Public Institutions in Australia. Applicant organisations must have Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) status.
Individuals wishing to apply for funding for projects must partner with a Public Institution which then takes on responsibility for the project.
City of Charles Sturt Arts Fund
Applications are invited from artists and arts organisations to support the development and delivery of NEW creative initiatives within the City of Charles Sturt.
Career Development
Including public art EOIs, exhibition call outs, residencies, mentorships, fellowships and more career development opportunities.
Palmerston Square Reserve Public Art EOI (Perth)
The Town of Bassendean is seeking expressions of interest from experienced artists, either individually or in teams, to design, fabricate, and install artwork at Palmerston Square Reserve. The artwork should enhance its surroundings and reflect the community or history of the area. Materials should be durable, weather-proof, and should not require excessive maintenance.
Closing 12 January 2026
SWELL Sculpture Festival 2026 Call for Entries
Artists are invited to be creatively brave, bold and daring when applying to be a part of SWELL 2026, Queensland’s largest outdoor sculpture exhibition taking place at Currumbin Beach on the Gold Coast.
SWELL is a ten-day manifestation of concepts and visual commentary, and presents small, medium and large-scale sculpture, installations, and digital works as a FREE outdoor gallery at Currumbin Beach, 11 – 20 September 2026.
Closing 31 January 2026
Warehouse Studio - Artist Studio Space
Warehouse studio collective have a rare opportunity for a new artist to join the studio. Artists working in any medium are welcome.
See the space by appointment by contacting Rebecca at rhartmankearns@hotmail.com
Artist Call Out: The Bloom exhibition
The Bloom is a powerful new exhibition responding to the devastating algal bloom event that has impacted South Australia’s coastline and the communities who enjoy it.
Artists are encouraged to explore themes of renewal, environmental awareness, and collective action through their work.
In 2026, The Bloom exhibition will feature three elements: Photography, Visual Arts and Written Word.
Closing 5 January 2025
Exhibit with Gallery 1855 in 2026
Gallery 1855 supports South Australian and locally based artists, craftspeople to present their work in a professional environment.
Various closing dates in 2025.
Red Gallery 2026 Exhibition Call Out
Red Gallery’s 2026 program is open for artist submissions! We invite artists living in Australia to join the conversation about exhibiting as part of our curated collection next year.
Closing 31 December 2025
T Projects Public Art Weekly Webinar Program
T Projects are delighted to announce a pilot program of professional development weekly webinars for 2026. This pilot program features weekly webinars breaking down all aspects of public art commissioning, exploring everything artists need to consider to develop their careers and creative practice.
Sessions February – April 2026
Applications open for ceramics exhibition
CONTINUUM: The Australian Ceramics Association Members’ Exhibition 2026, in partnership with Noosa Regional Gallery QLD.
Closing 19 January 2026
IGNITION SA Workshops for Creatives
IGNITION SA is a new program of learning opportunities, mentoring, resources, and online experiences designed to enhance the professional development and wellbeing of South Australia’s creative professionals.
Workshops for Creatives: Various dates 2025/26
Mentors EOI now open
THRF Video and Moving Image Program
Expressions of interest are welcomed throughout the year from artists wishing to participate in the THRF Group – Creative Health Video and Moving Image Program. Viewed via our website, this Program showcases artists working in the medium of Video and Moving Image Art.
Blue Studio Residency
Blue Studio Residency is open to local, Australian and International ceramic artists of all skill levels. Proposals are welcome throughout the year and each season has its own creative possibilities.
The Adelaide Fringe / fab Studio Residency
This residency will provide two visual artists with rent-free studio space and support from June 2026. Designed to foster experimentation, connection and sustained creative development, the residency includes access to tools, equipment, mentoring and a public outcome during Adelaide Fringe 2027. This opportunity is about providing time, space and resources to support diverse approaches to making.
Closing 18 January 2026
Northern Rivers Community Gallery Artist Residency Program
Studio space and accommodation on the NSW North Coast for a single artist to expand their practice, undertake research or develop new work. Open to creatives from all disciplines.
Closing 31 January 2026
Solar & Sun Sculpture Exhibition
Artists are invited to be part of the 2026 Solar & Sun Sculpture Exhibition, an opportunity to showcase your work in the stunning surrounds of the Australian Arid Lands Botanic Garden. Set against a breathtaking natural backdrop, the exhibition offers a powerful platform to explore environmental ideas through sculpture, connect with new audiences, and be part of a growing community of artists passionate about art and climate. $12,000 grand prize.
Closing 6 March 2026
Pocosin Arts Residencies
Located in North Carolina, USA, Pocosin Arts offers opportunities for discovery, creativity, and lifelong learning in the arts. We provide year-round craft workshops, weekly adult and youth classes, and residencies in metals and jewelry, ceramics, woodworking, drawing, painting, textiles, digital fabrication, and more.
Multiple residency opportunities available throughout 2025-26.
ANAT + MAP mima Residency & Commission
The Australian Network for Art and Technology (ANAT) and the Multi-Arts Pavilion, mima (MAP mima) are partnering to present a unique Residency and Commission opportunity for 2026.
This initiative will bring together an artist and a scientist to collaboratively develop a new immersive artwork for MAP mima’s cutting-edge 360-degree projection Cube. The project offers space, time, and resources for deep experimentation, encouraging creative and scientific perspectives to merge in unexpected and transformative ways.
Closing 15 April 2026
Natimuk Exile Residency
After its first successful year the Natimuk Exile residency is calling for applications for 2026. Come to the amazing landscape that is the Wimmera (rivers, salt-lakes, National Parks, mountains) and get your inspiration fired up. The comfortable residency cottage is the perfect place to write, draw or paint.
Closing 28 February 2026
Week-long residency at The Art House - Clare Valley
Artists are invited to spend a week as the “Artist in Residence” at the Clare Art House.
This is a fee-free opportunity. In February and March 2026 we will be offering the opportunity for individual artists, at any stage of their art career and working in any medium, to apply for a one-week residency at Clare ArtHouse. Residencies will take place over 8 weeks.
Closing 31 December 2025
Australian Antarctic Arts Fellowship
The Australian Antarctic Arts Fellowship aims to support the production of significant works of art and interpretation by professionals in the creative arts, humanities and social sciences.
The Fellowship takes the form of either a ship voyage or flight to Antarctica, Macquarie Island, or the Southern Ocean and associated logistical support, ie food, accommodation, transport and cold-weather clothing on loan.
Closing 1 February 2026
firstdraft First Peoples Curators Program
The First Peoples Curators Program supports an emerging Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander curator with new skills, professional presentation and development opportunities, and access to key industry networks.
Art Prizes
Adelaide Perry Prize for Drawing 2026
In its twenty-first year, The Perry Prize is one of the most well-regarded of its kind in Australia, with a value of $25,000, acquisitive, and a People’s Choice award of $2,000, non-acquisitive.
Closing 14 January 2026
FUSE Glass Prize
This biennial non-acquisitive prize for Australian and New Zealand glass artists is Australasia’s richest prize for glass. The winner of the FUSE Glass Prize will receive a cash prize of AU$20,000. In addition, the winner of the David Henshall Emerging Artist Prize will receive AU$5,000 cash and a professional development opportunity at JamFactory valued at a further AU$5,000.
Closing 5 March 2026
Tattersall's Landscape Art Prize
With a $30,000 acquisitive prize, artist residency award, and exhibition across three prominent Brisbane venues, this prestigious competition celebrates diverse artistic perspectives on natural scenery, urban environments and everything in between.
Closing 20 March 2026
The Homiens Art Prize
The Homiens Art Prize, which awards over $12,000 USD annually to artists, is an internationally celebrated event that elevates art careers to new heights.
Closing 30 January 2026
The Bald Archy Prize
The Bald Archy Prize, Australia’s leading satirical portrait competition, offers a $10,000 acquisitive prize and a $2,000 People’s Choice Award, celebrating wit, humour and Aussie larrikin spirit.
Closing 1 February 2026
Harden Art Prize
Enter the 2026 Harden Art Prize – a $15,000 national acquisitive landscape painting award celebrating Australia’s finest emerging artists.
Closing 1 March 2026
Glover Prize 2026
The John Glover Art Prize (Glover Prize) is an annual award for landscape paintings of Tasmania awarded by The John Glover Society Inc.
- The winner receives $80,000 plus a bronze maquette of colonial artist John Glover (1767– 1849) designed by Peter Corlett valued at $5,000.
- All other exhibited entries are eligible for the People’s Choice Award of $3,000, the Children’s Choice Award of $500, and the Hangers’ Choice Award of $500.
Closing 23 January 2026
Muswellbrook Art Prize
Calling Australian artists! The Muswellbrook Art Prize offers $70,000 across painting, works on paper and ceramics.
Closing 2 February 2026
2026 Ravenswood Australian Women's Art Prize
Celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2026, the Ravenswood Australian Women’s Art Prize is the highest-value art prize for women in Australia with $58,000 in prize money available across Professional Artist, Emerging Artist and Indigenous Emerging Artist categories – plus a People’s Choice Award and Highly Commended Awards.
Closing 11 February 2026
2026 Bayside Painting Prize
The Bayside Painting Prize is nationally recognised as Melbourne’s premier painting prize. It features a non-acquisitive Major Prize of $25,000, a $10,000 Beckett Local Prize (acquisitive), and a $1,000 People’s Choice Award.
Closing 20 February 2026
St Columba's Art Prize
Australian artists are invited to enter the St Columba’s Art Prize with over $16,000 in prizes.
Closing 3 March 2026