Organizer Information
Bus Projects is an independent, not-for-profit artist-run initiative (ARI) founded in Melbourne in August 2001 by Tim O'Donoghue, Kade McDonald, David Sutton, John Karatzas, and Chris Johnson, originally operating from 117 Little Lonsdale Street as a design collective with a shared interest in art. The gallery's early exhibition spaces — the Skinny Gallery, Main Gallery, and Sound Gallery — hosted experimental and interdisciplinary work across video, sound, installation, and performance, alongside a project space for residencies and live music. The organization was incorporated as Bus Gallery Inc. in 2008 before adopting its current name, Bus Projects Inc., later that year. Since 2023, Bus Projects has operated from a stand-alone gallery space in Brunswick East, on the lands of the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people of the Kulin Nation, and is now marking its 25th anniversary in 2026 as one of the longest-running ARIs in Melbourne.
Title & Description
Bus Projects 2027 Open Call — Artistic Program
Bus Projects invites artists, curators, collectives, and creatives to submit proposals for its 2026 artistic program, seeking bold, rigorous, and experimental ideas for exhibitions, public programs, performances, and related projects. As the organization marks its 25th anniversary in 2026, the call reflects a renewed commitment to its founding values of experimentation, self-determined practice, and artist-led production. The 2026 program will consist of 11 exhibitions selected from the open call, presented across two exhibiting streams — Gallery 1 and Project Space — with two of the eleven exhibitions dedicated to marking the 25th anniversary, including the annual fundraiser exhibition.
Categories
- Visual Arts
- Curatorial
- Performance
- Sound/Music
- Multimedia
- Interdisciplinary Arts
- Exhibition
Eligibility
- Open to artists and curators at all stages of their careers
- Open to solo and group exhibitions/projects
- Open to creatives who have not previously shown with Bus Projects
- Bus Projects specifically welcomes applications from artists from historically underrepresented or structurally excluded communities
- Applicants may apply via non-written formats (e.g. video/audio) by contacting the Gallery Manager
Program Benefits & Awards
- A 3-week exhibition in one or both gallery spaces
- Artist fees in line with industry standards: Gallery 1 pays $1,150 plus 12% superannuation (NAVA minimum) to the exhibitor(s); Project Space pays a $500 project fee plus 12% superannuation (NAVA minimum)
- Installation and de-installation assistance
- Access to limited technical equipment (AV gear, media players, projectors, screens)
- Marketing support via website, email, and social media
- A public event (opening, closing, or artist talk)
- Project support including curatorial input, promotion, and letters of support for funding applications
Application Fee
None
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 4 October 2026
- Drop-in Information Session: 19 September 2026
- Notifications: 4–6 weeks after the application deadline
Location
Bus Projects, Ground Floor, 7 Little Miller Street, Brunswick East, VIC 3057, Australia
Additional Details
- Gallery 1 measures 6.7 x 5.6m; Gallery 2 (Project Space) measures 2.3 x 5.6m; ceiling height is 3.4m with 3m-high walls; some walls have brick backing, limiting drilling
- A downloadable floor plan and equipment register are available via the Bus Projects website
- Applications are peer-reviewed by the Artist Committee and Bus Projects staff, based on concept strength and clarity, artistic merit and risk-taking, feasibility within gallery constraints, alignment with Bus Projects' curatorial vision, and contribution to diversity of practices and perspectives
- Selected artists are expected to collaborate with the Bus Projects team on project development, provide timely text/images for marketing, be present for install/de-install (unless otherwise agreed), and follow OHS and safety protocols
- The venue is a 2-minute walk from the 96 tram (Stop 20), with ground-floor entry (some uneven footpaths), entry widths of 79cm (Front/Gallery 2) and 81cm (Gallery 1), a 68cm toilet entry, an accessible gender-neutral toilet on-site, and Auslan interpretation available on request for public programs and events; further detail is available in Bus Projects' Access Document & Visual Story
- Applicants with access needs or those wishing to apply via non-written formats can contact Kyle McIntyre, Gallery Manager, at kyle@busprojects.org.au