Spaces offered for emerging talent

APPLICATIONS are now open for the Art Gallery of Ballarat’s 2023 Backspace exhibition program.

Set to feature works by emerging artists, the program is now in its 10th year and gallery director Louise Tegart said it offers an opportunity for artists to develop their careers.

“We provide them with a taster of what it’s like to display in a public gallery, and we give them support with marketing and promotion,” she said.

“We’re looking at people in their first five to 10 years who’ve maybe had a few exhibitions locally, but for whom this is their first foray into a professional setting.

“We want to get their work out there and get them thinking about what they need to do to progress further.”

Last year’s gallery received about 90 applications for nine spots on the 2022 Backspace roster, and a similar number of places will be available for 2023’s openings.

An external judge will be recruited to assess the works alongside the gallery’s staff, who will evaluate the works based on their quality and theme.

Although there are no set requirements for an exhibition, favour will be given towards works with a connection to community events like NAIDOC Week or Harmony Fest.

Successful applicants for 2023 will be announced in June and Ms Tegart said she sees Backspace as an extension of the gallery’s support for the arts community.

“Right from our Early Start program, which is for little kids aged two and onwards, to everything else in our yearly showings, we’re about providing pathways for artists,” she said.

“We’ve had people that have displayed at Backspace that have gone on to be shown in other regional galleries or they’ve gone on to have ongoing careers.

“It’s about providing lifelong learning and lifelong opportunities so this exhibition really fits that trajectory.”

Applications close at 5pm on Sunday, 8 May, and artists can submit via the gallery’s website.