Expressions of Interest for the 2027 Judy Wheeler Commission are now open.
What is the Judy Wheeler Commission?
The Judy Wheeler Commission is a 10-year site-specific commissioning program established in memory of the late Judy Wheeler, generously supported by the Simpson Family.
Awarded annually, the Judy Wheeler Commission supports new artwork commissions by Australia-based artists that respond physically or conceptually to the architecture and history of PICA’s building and its site.
Artists are encouraged to match PICA’s spirit of risk and experimentation, addressing spaces that PICA’s visitors move through when visiting the building, including its entrance lobby, foyer, stairwells and balcony mezzanine. Watch a video walkthrough of the building here.
Each commission is installed for up to a one-year period.
Valued at $30,000, the recipient of the Judy Wheeler Commission will receive:
- $10,000 artist fee (including superannuation)
- $10,000 towards development and production expenses
- Contribution towards travel expenses (airfares, accommodation, honorarium)
- Presentation as part of PICA’s 2027 program
- Curatorial and install support from PICA’s team
Who Can Apply
Entering its fifth year, the Judy Wheeler Commission invites all Australia-based artists who are age 18+ to apply. Artists can be at any stage of their career (i.e. from emerging to established) and working in mediums that might include, but not be limited to, painting, sculpture, sound and video.
All applicants are encouraged to read the following guidelines and include reference to any potential cultural partnerships or consultation they would like to undertake as part of their commission within their application.
Applicants must be available to travel to Boorloo (Perth) to install their work and participate in public program events in early February 2027.
All eligible applications will be assessed by the 2027 Judy Wheeler Commission selection panel, which brings together artists, curators and creative leaders with experience in site-responsive and experimental practice:
- Alix Beattie, Senior Curator, ECU
- Ilona McGuire, Kungarakan and Noongar Artist
- Georgia Hayward, Curator, PICA
Selection Criteria
Applications must address some or all of the objectives of the Judy Wheeler Commission, which are to support works that:
- Are accessible, high-quality and celebrate the breadth and inventiveness of contemporary arts practice in Australia;
- Respond to or challenge the architecture and history of PICA’s building and site;
- Spark curiosity and expand the relevance and reach of contemporary arts experiences;
- Activate the spaces through which visitors enter and move through PICA; and
- Support the careers of artists that reflect the diversity of Australian society.
The proposed artwork must be appropriate to be installed within the PICA building and be deliverable within the timelines and budget set out.
Access
At PICA, access is a core part of professional working conditions. Creative practioners come from many lived experiences and identities, and we are committed to making our programs and application process as accessible as possible.
Applicants are welcome to share any access requirements that would support them to apply or participate in our programs. Access requirements may relate to physical, sensory, communication or process-related access needs, including support around time pressure, deadlines or information processing. Applicants are not required to disclose diagnoses or medical details.
Access conversations are voluntary, practioner-led and separate from selection. Any access information shared is kept separate from assessment and is only shared with staff responsible for coordinating access to remove barriers. Sharing access requirements will not affect artistic assessment.
If you would like to discuss your access needs please contact PICA’s Exhibition Manager, Lizzy Doepel on (08) 9228 6300 or elizabeth.doepel@pica.org.au
How to Submit an Application
Artists are invited to submit an application by completing the forms below. We recommend preparing your responses in a separate document first, then copying them into the form before submitting, as the form cannot be saved partway through.
If you prefer, you may complete your application using the downloadable Word document template linked below instead of the online form. Once completed, please submit your application via email to PICA’s Exhibitions Manager, Lizzy Doepel at elizabeth.doepel@pica.org.au ensuring all required sections are filled out and any supporting materials are included. Emailed applications must be received by the closing date and time to be considered.
Applications close Monday 8 June @ 11.59pm AWST.
Register for an Online Meeting
Interested artists are encouraged to register for an online meeting in mid-May to discuss their proposal. This will be an opportunity to meet with PICA’s Exhibitions Manager, Lizzy Doepel, to discuss your application and any questions before submitting. These meetings will take place online on Monday 18 May 2–5pm (AWST) and Tuesday 19 May 10am– 12:30pm (AWST). To register for a 20-minute online meeting, please use the online booking form below.
Key Dates
| Applications Open | 4 May 2026 12pm AWST |
| Online Information Meetings | 18 and 19 May 2026 |
| Applications Close | 8 June 2026 11.59pm AWST |
| Applicant Notification | 26 June 2026 |
| Artwork Development & Production | July – December 2026 |
| Artwork Installation | January – February 2027 |
Application Support
For any questions or if you need to submit your application in a format different to the form provided, please contact Lizzy Doepel on (08) 9228 6300 or elizabeth.doepel@pica.org.au
If you are unexpectedly unwell or experience some other kind of last-minute interruption that means you will not be able to meet this deadline and require a few additional days, please get in touch with us prior to the closing time to discuss.
Further Facts and FAQ’s
Where can I access more information on the PICA building and site?
Images, floor plans and information on the history of the PICA building and site can be found on PICA’s Dropbox.
Who were the previous recipients?
Can a collective of artists apply?
Yes, however the artist fee will remain $10,000 and will need to be distributed among the collective members.
Do I have to be based in WA to apply?
You do not need to be based in WA to apply. Applications are open to artists based in all states and territories across Australia.
What should my application include?
The following items need to be submitted via the online expression of interest form to apply for the Judy Wheeler Commission:
- Artwork proposal addressing:
– Artwork concept and materials;
– Proposed PICA location for the artwork;
– How the artwork responds to the objectives of the 2025 Judy Wheeler Commission
– Any cultural consultation or partnerships you’d like to undertake in the realisation of your work. - Budget
- Timeline with key milestones
- Artist CV (written, max 2 x A4 pages)
- Visual presentation of proposed artwork (drawings or similar, max 5 images)
- Examples of relevant existing artworks (max 5 images)
Please note that PICA may request additional information or clarification from the applicant if shortlisted.
Is it possible to submit my application in an alternative format?
Yes, please contact PICA’s Exhibitions Manager, Lizzy Doepel elizabeth.doepel@pica.org.au if you require further information.
Can I submit more than one proposal?
Only 1 submission per individual artist will be accepted. An artist can however submit an additional application as part of an artist collective.
Can the proposed work have been previously presented?
No, the proposed work must be new and made specifically for the Judy Wheeler Commission and PICA site.
Which spaces in PICA are available for proposed commission works?
All spaces in the PICA building excluding galleries, studios and administration spaces are available for artists to consider in their proposal. This includes the stairwells, hallways, mezzanine balcony and windows.
Do I have to select one PICA space for my proposal?
No, you can propose to use multiple areas of the PICA building, excluding gallery spaces.
If I am unsuccessful in my application, can I get feedback on my submission?
Due to the high volume of applications received, we are unable to provide feedback to each applicant. We do, however, encourage you to maintain a relationship with PICA and apply again in the future.
Are applications going to open every year, or are you programming all the works for the next 10 years this year?
Don’t worry! We are excited to see what future artists have to offer. Applications are open every year.
