Call for Artists: Golden Spaces 2026 Summer Exhibition

Artists from across Golden Plains Shire and surrounding regions are invited to exhibit their artworks in the Golden Spaces 2026 Summer Exhibition, with expressions of interest (EOI) now open. Golden Spaces is a free, community-based program offering group art exhibitions across three locations in Victoria, Australia: the Bannockburn Cultural Centre, The Well at Smythesdale and the Golden Plains Civic Centre.

The initiative celebrates and promotes the talent of artists from across the Shire and surrounding regions, increases community access to the arts in a local setting, and provides professional development opportunities for both emerging and established artists. The 2026 Summer Exhibition marks the seventh exhibition in the series. Golden Spaces began as a pilot program in 2023, answering a call from the creative community for free and accessible exhibition programs and spaces in the Shire, and each year it has shown more than 40 artists and around 60 artworks.

Golden Plains Shire Mayor Cr Owen Sharkey praised the program and the opportunities it has provided to regional artists, encouraging the artistic community to apply and help make this the biggest exhibition yet. Expressions of interest are open until 5 p.m. on Monday, August 31, 2026, and can be completed at goldenplains.vic.gov.au/golden-spaces. At the conclusion of the EOI period, successful artists will be notified, and the 2026 Summer Exhibition will launch at the Twilight Market in December 2026, then remain on display for 12 months, rotating between the three venues.