Enhanced exhibition opportunities for regional artists

A NEW dedicated Backspace Gallery has been opened on the corner of Mair and Camp streets.

Backspace provides an opportunity for early-career artists in Ballarat and surrounding areas to showcase their work.

Art Gallery of Ballarat staff work closely with artists to mentor and support their professional practice.

The new space will ensure the program can continue while the Art Gallery of Ballarat is closed throughout 2025 for interior upgrades.

Backspace Gallery will remain permanently.

Committing to a new location was supported by community engagement and a survey that assessed past exhibiting artists’ satisfaction with the Backspace program.

The results were overwhelmingly positive, with 100 per cent of respondents saying they felt supported during their exhibition experience.

Additionally, exhibiting artists surveyed said the program helped them to gain further exposure, develop their practice, achieve new commissions and build confidence.

Art Gallery of Ballarat director Louise Tegart said the permanent location provided more space and a vibrant street frontage that would attract new audiences.

“A permanent location for our Backspace Gallery allows us to give early-career local artists an enhanced gallery exhibition experience,” she said.

“We are also pleased that this space will be the dedicated home of Backspace artists when the Art Gallery of Ballarat reopens in 2026.

“This program has been invaluable to artists located in Ballarat and the surrounding region and is an important part of the Art Gallery of Ballarat’s remit.

“With a permanent location, we look forward strengthening each artist’s visibility while also delivering a strong professional development experience.”

City of Ballarat mayor Cr Tracey Hargreaves said Ballarat has a thriving arts culture and initiatives delivered by the Art Gallery of Ballarat help artists build careers, in turn enhancing employment prospects.

“The City of Ballarat is home to so many creative people,” she said.

“We are pleased to see the Art Gallery of Ballarat working to provide practical and professional outcomes for artists who are an integral part of Ballarat’s creative fabric.”

The first exhibition in the new Backspace Gallery, Next Gen 2025, opened on 15 March.

Backspace Gallery is located at 43 Mair Street, Ballarat and will be open seven days, 10am to 5pm. Visit artgalleryofballarat.com.au .