Grafton Regional Gallery, established in 1988, serves as the principal public art museum for the Clarence Valley in northern New South Wales. From its home in the historic 1880s courthouse on Fitzroy Street, the gallery has built a program that balances touring exhibitions of national significance with a committed focus on the artistic life of the region. Its founding ethos rests on the belief that a regional gallery should be both a custodian of cultural memory and a catalyst for contemporary practice, and this dual mandate continues to shape its acquisitions, exhibitions, and public programming. Over three decades, the gallery has assembled a collection of over 2,000 works, with particular strengths in Australian printmaking, landscape, and Indigenous art from the Bundjalung and Gumbaynggirr nations. It maintains a steady schedule of solo and group exhibitions, often developed through open calls that invite artists to propose projects responsive to the gallery’s spaces and communities. The institution’s mission is to foster meaningful encounters with art through accessible, thoughtfully curated presentations that reflect both local concerns and broader art-historical conversations.
Artist opportunities
3 listed
Working with the gallery
Artists considering an exhibition proposal should first review the gallery’s current program and collection strengths to ensure alignment. Proposals are assessed by a curatorial panel, typically twice yearly, and should include a clear concept, a selection of recent work, and a practical installation plan. The gallery prioritizes projects that engage with its regional context, though this is not exclusive. Given limited staff and resources, applicants are advised to be concise, demonstrate awareness of the gallery’s physical spaces, and allow ample lead time—at least six to twelve months before a proposed exhibition date. It is also wise to contact the gallery in advance to discuss feasibility and to confirm any specific requirements for installation or public programs.