Local artists remain in focus for Ipswich Community Gallery exhibition

Published on 22 September 2025

Ipswich artists will have further opportunities to exhibit their works in one of city’s most beloved arts spaces, the Ipswich Community Gallery.

Ipswich City Council Economic and Cultural Development Committee Chairperson Councillor Pye Augustine said Ipswich Community Gallery is calling for expressions of interest for 2026-2027.

“The council-owned Ipswich Community Gallery in d'Arcy Doyle Place is an important piece of our city’s arts scene as a space showcasing local and emerging artists,” Cr Augustine said.

“The gallery will dedicate at least 70 per cent of exhibition slots for March 2026 to February 2027 to local creatives.

“There will be 14 exhibition slots available during this period and applications will be assessed against a selection criteria focusing on quality, innovation, relevance, feasibility and diversity.

“Applications are open to all artists, however the selection panel will give preference to those who can show the relevance of their work to our local communities.

“The criteria, established through engagement with the Ipswich Arts Advisory Group, ensures the expression-of-interest process is merit-based and favours exhibitions that will resonate with the people of Ipswich.

“This highlights the gallery’s strong commitment to Ipswich art, with 12 of the 14 artists or arts groups to exhibit in the previous period having a direct connection to the city.”

Cr Augustine said council continues to support the growth of the local arts sector, with the 2025-2026 Budget including more than $7.5 million in funding for arts and cultural services, up from more than $6.6 million the previous year.

“Having a strong arts sector helps to enrich Ipswich as a vibrant and connected city and council institutions such as Ipswich Community Gallery and Ipswich Art Gallery are central to this,” she said.

“Council-run initiatives such as SPARK Festival, the Ipswich Art Awards, Ipswich Art Workshop, Articulate workshops, the Creators’ Summit and public art opportunities are also vital to the Ipswich arts scene.”

The Expression of Interest period will remain open to 20 October, 2025. For more information, visit the Ipswich Community Gallery expression of interest webpage.