Newtown ArtSeat - Information for applicants

The guidelines for the 2025/2026 round will be published in the coming weeks

To be eligible to apply, applicants must be over 18 years of age and have the necessary skills and capacity to deliver their project. The Newtown ArtSeat will be curated to include at least one work per year by artists living or working in the Inner West Council local government area. Projects that have received funding from other sources will be considered.

There will be a minimum of three exhibitions displayed over a 12 month period starting on Wednesday, 4 February 2026.

Inner West Council will:

• Provide each successful applicant with a letter of offer that will outline exhibition dates, terms and conditions and responsibilities of all parties
• Make available the Newtown ArtSeat display unit in a clean condition
• Maintain the lights in the display unit so that they are in good working order
• Be responsible for the printing of the image to the required dimensions
• Be responsible for the installation of the image
• Promote the installation on the Council website

Successful applicants will:

• Consult with the delegated Council Officer concerning the selection of ideas, subjects, concepts and themes
  Consultation can be face to face, meetings, telephone conversations and/or email
• Provide an Artist/s statement for the purposes of marketing and as an historical record of the project

The Panel
The selection panel will consist of at least one of each of the following – artists, curators and Council staff.

Selection criteria
Priority will be given to quality, contemporary proposals. Exhibitions and/or displays with thematic directions that examine topical and local issues will be favourably considered.

Submissions should demonstrate artistic merit, skill, innovation and capacity to enhance the public space.

A link to local community events is encouraged. Some of the events that have cultural significance to the local community are - Art Month Sydney, Refugee Week, Mardi Gras, Sydney Fringe Festival, NAIDOC and Head-On.

NOTE: The Newtown ArtSeat is not to be used for the display of advertisements

Please read the information above before submitting your application. If you have any questions or you are unable to complete the application form online please contact Hannah Rouse via email hannah.rouse@innerwest.nsw.gov.au or phone, 9392 5307 (Monday - Friday). Or contact Raffaela Cavadini, raffaela.cavadini@innerwest.nsw.gov.au, 9335 2293.

Applications close:  3pm Monday, 1 September 2025

Application portal coming soon