Blindside ONLINE INFORMATION SESSION LINK BELOW

(13/08 @ 6:30PM):

Blindside invites applications for the 2025 Exhibition Program.

Applications close 11:59pm Sunday 1st September.

Overview

Blindside was founded for multi-generational local and interstate artists, writers and curators, to engage in critical dialogue and exchange. Predominantly our programming is shaped by our creative community’s proposals. Alongside the Open Call, we’ve also consistently expanded with new initiatives, projects and collaborations, shaping Melbourne’s arts ecosystem and drawing diverse audiences to the municipality.

2025 is no different, as we continue our commitment in supporting high-quality work through experimentation and risk-taking, alongside fostering strong partnerships and collaborative projects.

For our 2025 annual Open Call, Blindside wishes to invite applications that emphasise creative development and experimentation. Artists at any stage of their career are welcome to apply with proposals that explore new dialogues in our contemporary arts ecology.

In recent times, artists are collaborating more often, producing ephemeral projects and emphasising public intervention/engagement within the gallery space.

Proposals from artists, curators, collectives or collaborators to present solo or group exhibitions, as well as events, performances, screenings and ephemeral projects are strongly encouraged.

Gallery Exhibition (4-weeks): This proposal is suggested for emerging, mid-career and established artists, curators, collectives or collaborators interested in presenting solo or group exhibitions. Public programming is welcomed during this period.

Gallery Activation (1-10 days): Transitioning from the conventional 4 week gallery rotation model, Gallery Activations allow for projects with varied timelines within a 10 day period and the context of Blindside. This proposal stream is suitable for those interested in experimentation, ephemeral projects, collaborative praxis, and/or performative works. Filmmakers, performers, research-based practitioners are encouraged to apply.

Applicants are invited to use Blindside's gallery space as they see fit: whether that be for a short-term residency, open studio or a workshop space; a one-night film screening, a series of performances.

The proposed activations will need to have a public-facing outcome during its allocated period (i.e. a launch, performance, open studio or otherwise).

Successful applications will receive:

- An allocated 4-week or an allocation slot within a 2-week period in one (or both) of our galleries.

- A project fee for one, or both spaces, the amount of which will be determined.

- Onsite technical assistance for your installation.

- Staff to invigilate the gallery space (Wednesday to Saturday), opening night and public programs.

- Promotional support through the Blindside website, e-invitations and social media promotion.

- Support letters for grant applications for exhibition funding.

- Curatorial and professional development advice.

- Assistance connecting exhibiting artists with writers and curators.

Blindside is an inclusive space that supports a thriving arts community of emerging and established artists, writers and curators of any age, background or culture. Blindside accepts proposals from local, interstate and international practitioners from any field of creative endeavour that span either one or both gallery spaces.

Blindside is committed to supporting artists to see their ideas from concept through to fruition. We encourage applications in all formats, whether it be an ambitious solo project across both spaces, shorter performance or public program series, group or collaborative exhibitions, or solo single gallery projects.

Thanks to generous support from the City of Melbourne, Creative Australia, and Patagorang Foundation, as well as the artists, sponsors and patrons who have supported Blindside through our fundraising initiatives, we are thrilled that Blindside will continue as a FREE space to exhibit in 2025.

In 2025, Blindside will offer a project fees for successful applicants, the amount of which will be determined by funding outcomes.

As a not-for-profit organisation Blindside takes no commission from the sale of any artworks and will not display prices/sale stickers alongside works in the exhibition.

Blindside is committed to supporting artists to see their ideas from concept through to fruition. We encourage applications in all formats, whether it be an ambitious solo project across both spaces, shorter performance or public program series, group or collaborative exhibitions, or solo single gallery projects.

If you are unsure about your project and whether it is feasible in our gallery, please get in touch by email via info@blindside.org.au.

Application processes can be daunting and may not be accessible to everybody. Blindside offers advice regarding application development and is open to alternative ways of applying (i.e. video applications upon request). Plus, if you are unsure about whether your proposal fits into either application stream, please get in touch by email to info@blindside.org.au.

Blindside will host an Open Call Information Session on Tuesday 13th August at 6:30pm.Please register via the eventbrite link.

Fees

Thanks to generous support from the City of Melbourne, Creative Australia, and Patagorang Foundation, as well as the artists, sponsors and patrons who have supported Blindside through our fundraising initiatives, we are thrilled that Blindside will continue as a FREE space to exhibit in 2025.

In 2025, Blindside will offer a project fees for successful applicants, the amount of which will be determined by funding outcomes.

As a not-for-profit organisation Blindside takes no commission from the sale of any artworks and will not display prices/sale stickers alongside works in the exhibition.

Support Material

Blindside only accepts support material as an online weblink. Please provide us with ONE link, that will share us into a folder containing ALL your support material. Please refer to our SUPPORT MATERIAL GUIDE for information on how to upload your support material. Please adhere to our word limits.

Please provide ONE link to a folder containing ALL your support material and set sharing permissions to ANYONE WITH THE LINK CAN VIEW.

Send this link to a friend and ask if they are able to access your support material BEFORE submitting your application.

Blindside prefers your support material to be uploaded via Google Drive.

Please provide the following in your folder of support material:

A one page CV or brief bio for each participating practitioner.

- A document that contains a list or description of each of your linked support material.

- An indicative (hero) image that relates to your exhibition, project or your practice for promotional use.

- Up to 6 images.* Please note that all submitted images may be used for promoting the project (if successful). Please ensure you indicate whether the work is the actual work to be exhibited, or examples of past work.

- Optional: Audio Visual Material
If you need to upload a weblink to audio visual material hosted on an external site such as Vimeo or Soundcloud, please provide this link/s in your support material list / description document.
* If your proposal contains both still and moving images please restrict to 3 images and 3 minutes of sound/video.

- Optional: 3D mockup/floorplan
If your application includes an installation plan, we suggest submitting a 3D mock-up/layout to assist Blindside's submission panel with visualising your project. Blindside recommends Sketch Up.

Please see the application form for more information on file naming, accepted file formats and sharing permissions.