Proposals should respond to the below objectives of the Judy Wheeler Commission.

The objectives of this program is to commission works that:

• Support and facilitate artists to produce ambitious artistic projects, particularly those that reflect the diversity of our society;
• Activate the public spaces through which visitors enter and move through PICA;
• Are accessible, high-quality and celebrate the breadth and inventiveness of Australian contemporary arts practices;
• 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.

Approximately one year from installation but this may be more or less, dependent on the type of work selected and at the discretion of PICA.

This opportunity is open to all Australian based visual artists who are age 17+.

Applicants must be available to travel to Perth to install the work & participate in public program events between January 24 – February 12, 2023 (dates TBC). Travel costs for 1 artist are covered by PICA.

All artists & contractors working on the project must be fully vaccinated, unless the person is exempt in line with WA State Government requirements. Click here for information regarding PICA’s COVID-19 Safety Policies.

Yes, however the artist fee will remain $8000 and will need to be distributed among the collective members. Additionally, PICA can only support travel costs for 1 member of the collective.

You do not need to be based in WA to apply. Applications are open to artists from all states and territories, who are based in Australia. Travel costs for install period & launch covered by PICA. 

Applications are open from Monday 4 April until 5pm Sunday 29 May, 2022

Applications are submitted through the PICA website on the application page here.

Before applying review all information in the Info Pack and FAQs.

The following items need to be submitted to apply for the Judy Wheeler Commission:

• Artist CV (Max 2 x A4 pages)
• Artwork proposal (Max 2 x A4 pages) addressing:
  • Artwork concept & medium
  • Proposed PICA space/s
  • Key production milestones
  • How the project responds to the objectives of the Judy Wheeler Commission
• Visual presentation of proposed artwork (drawing or similar) (Max 5 images)
• Examples of relevant previous work (Max 5 images)

Please note that PICA may request additional information or clarification from the applicant if shortlisted.

Yes, please contact exhibitions@pica.org.au to arrange an accessible method of submission. 

There will be no opportunities for formal draft application review but bring all of your questions to the online information sessions on April 21 and May 6. If you’re unable to attend these sessions you can contact exhibitions@pica.org.au for further support. 

Only 1 submission per individual artist will be accepted. An artist can however submit an additional application as part of an artist collective.

Applicants who are not successful in the first year can choose to have their proposal considered in the following two years. 

Yes, if there are additional paid creatives and or you are actively working with members of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community to develop the proposed work this should be identified in your proposal.

No, the proposed work must be new and made specifically for the PICA site. 

No, you can propose to use both the PICA entrance foyer and stairwell. View the spaces here.

Unfortunately due to the high volume of applications, we will be unable to provide feedback to each applicant. However we encourage you to maintain a relationship with PICA, and apply again in the future. 

Don’t worry! We are excited to see what future artists have to offer as contemporary art continues to evolve. Applications are open every year.

The applications will initially be reviewed against the selection criteria by a panel including:

Carol Innes 
Co-Director Danjoo Koorliny

Dr Christina Chau
Director, Engagement, Impact and Indigenous School of Media, Creative Arts and Social Inquiry, Faculty of Humanities Curtin University

José Da Silva
Director, UNSW Galleries

Sarah Wall
PICA Curator

A shortlist of 3 will be developed by the panel with the final selection to be made by PICA. 

Applications will be assessed against the criteria below:

Eligibility 
Applicants must meet eligibility requirements.

Program Objectives
Applications must address some or all of the objectives of the Judy Wheeler Commission.

Feasibility
The proposed artwork must be appropriate to be installed within the PICA Building and be delivered within the timelines and budgets set out. 

Proposals should respond to the below objectives of the Judy Wheeler Commission.

The objectives of this program is to commission works that:

• Support and facilitate artists to produce ambitious artistic projects, particularly those that reflect the diversity of our society;
• Activate the public spaces through which visitors enter and move through PICA;
• Are accessible, high-quality and celebrate the breadth and inventiveness of Australian contemporary arts practices;
• 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.

In addition to financial support, the selected recipient will be supported by the PICA exhibitions team throughout the development, fabrication, and installation of the work. During the development phase there will be regular meetings with PICA’s Curator to track the progress of the artwork. PICA’s Exhibitions Manager & Production Coordinator will provide support through the coordination and production planning of your project.

Yes, PICA will document the work, use of the photographs will be subject to approval by PICA and require all appropriate credits.

Before applying review all information in the Info Pack and FAQs.

PICA will be hosting two online information sessions on April 21 and May 6. This is the best opportunity to get your questions answered. 

If you’re unable to attend these sessions, you can contact exhibitions@pica.org.au for further support.