Cannery Arts Centre

Opportunities

Cannery Art Awards Call Out
May
18
to 18 Oct

Cannery Art Awards Call Out

Thinking about exhibiting for the first time? Got a piece worthy of an award? Or keen to create something new for the exhibition? This is your invitation to get involved in the Cannery Art Awards!

The awards are a chance to share your work with the community, connect with other artists and be part of a vibrant regional exhibition celebrating contemporary creative practice.

With over $12,000 in prize money across multiple categories — including some exciting new awards — there are plenty of opportunities for artists working across different mediums, styles and experiences to participate.

Open to artists and creatives aged 16 years and over.

Click through for more information and to register.

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ESPERANCE SCULPTURE TRAIL | EOIs OPEN
Aug
27
to 14 Sept

ESPERANCE SCULPTURE TRAIL | EOIs OPEN

FORM is calling for visionary artists to shape a world-class cultural landmark: the Esperance Sculpture Trail. Across a region of dramatic coastline, woodland and wetland, up to 21 permanent artworks will take their place in one of Australia's most striking landscapes.

Deep Roots, Unbounded Vision

Shaped by 18 months of deep community co-design, the trail balances large-scale landmarks with intimate discoveries. Our core principle is simple: who owns the story, tells the story. Artists will work with Traditional Owners, residents and community groups so that each artwork carries lived experience.

Rooted in the curatorial themes of Edge, Future, and Resilience, this initiative aims to deliver place-responsive contemporary art across Kepa Kurl.

Opportunities

Baarndi Trail - local artists

Sixteen commissions of $25,000 to $35,000 each, excluding footings and installation. Small scale standalone works along the coastal dune path linking Castletown Quays with Bandy Creek and the marina. Open to artists who live in or can demonstrate strong links to the Shire of Esperance. Emerging and established artists both welcome.

If you have never held a public art commission over $50,000, you are an emerging artist for this project. Apply for the Baarndi Trail and FORM will guide you through the design process, with a network of designers and consultants to bring your vision to life.

Helms Arboretum, Great Ocean Trail, Lake Monjingup and Salmon Gums

Landmark or experience-based works, $400,000 to $800,000 each. Open EOI, established artists.

Esperance Jetty

An artwork in the ocean area near the jetty and shoreline, $500,000 to $900,000. Open EOI, established artists.

All sites remain subject to approvals and may not go ahead. Budgets will be confirmed once approvals are issued.

Key Dates

  • EOI Submissions Due: 5 PM AWST, Monday 14 September 2026  

  • Shortlist Notification: Monday 21 September 2026  

  • Concept Proposals Due: Mid-October 2026  

  • Contracting: Late October 2026  

ARTIST BRIEF

Ready to apply?

Bring your work to one of Western Australia's most extraordinary coastlines.
Download the full Artist Brief and submit your EOI application as a single PDF to:

Alyssa Reid
SENIOR PRODUCER
alyssa.reid@form.net.au

Apply for as many opportunities as you like, noting that each submission requires its own statement of intent.

want to chat?

Our team are happy to assist or chat you through an idea. Feel free to reach out to our Artistic Director Alex Desebrock at alex@canneryarts.com.au for advice. For assistance with your application, please reach out to Alyssa Reid, Senior Producer at FORM alyssa.reid@form.net.au


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Gallery Lighting Training
Sept
10
1:00 pm13:00

Gallery Lighting Training

Install at Sick AF, toured by Art On The Move. Photo by Grace Starcevich

Lighting Training

Are you a future exhibiting artist, keen to volunteer with us, or just have a bit of a passion for lighting? This one’s for you.

We’ve got new gallery lights and, maybe you’ve noticed, they’ve made a difference to how our exhibitions look. But getting the lighting right takes a small team of vollies who know what they’re doing.

Last year, Art on the Move trained some of our team in the basics of exhibition lighting. Now we want to share that knowledge and get a few more people confident using the system.

Come along for a relaxed, hands-on 3-hour session. We’ll run through the different lights we have, what they can do, how to install and use them safely, and then have a play lighting different artworks.

Highly recommended for exhibiting artists to understand how to light their own work, or anyone interested in joining our volunteer install team.

Thursday 10 September
1pm–4pm

Keen? Register beow.

Register



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2027 Expressions of Interest
July
6
to 16 Aug

2027 Expressions of Interest

We're interested in ideas from artists at every stage of their career, from emerging through to established practitioners, so if you're wanting to have an exhibition, workshop, artist residency, community project or something completely new, we'd love to hear about it! 

Click through for more information & to submit an EOI.

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Steve Cooke Scholarship 26/27
May
18
to 12 June

Steve Cooke Scholarship 26/27

  • Cannery Arts Centre (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

In honour of the life and spirit of Steve Cooke, a glassblower, artist, supporter of the arts, and good friend to the Cannery Arts Centre, the Steve Cooke Scholarship has been set up with the support of Debbie Warnes, Steve’s partner.

To encourage emerging artists we are giving a scholarship to our popular Art Lab series. The artist selected for the Steve Cooke Scholarship will be eligible to select and attend our massive range of Art Lab workshops from July 2026 to end of June 2027 and includes a 12 month membership to the Cannery Arts Centre. 

How to apply:  
No lengthy application forms; we want to keep the process as short and easy as possible. 
You need to give us some basic details:

  • Name

  • Age

  • Address

  • Social media handles or website links to your works (only if they relate to your application, we don’t need to know all about your private life) and 

  • Persuade us as to why you are the best applicant for the Steve Cooke Scholarship. Tell us how you will benefit from the workshops (One-page max)
    You are welcome to include an artist bio and CV but it's not crucial. 

Applications will be shortlisted by a selection panel comprising Cannery Arts Centre staff and committee with the finalist announced in early July.

Important things to note:

  • The Cannery Arts Centre Scholarship is open to people over 18 only

  • The recipient can attend as many or as few workshops as they like from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027.

  • Scholarship generally excludes artist in residence workshops/courses although is negotiable 

  • The panel’s decision is final 

  • The winner will be promoted through all our usual channels (social and print media). If you are shy that’s OK we can limit your exposure but we do want to celebrate you and your achievements!

Cannery Arts Centre staff and committee or close family members are not eligible to apply. Previous applicants are encouraged to apply.

Application due by email to admin@canneryarts.com.au or drop off in person by 12PM Friday 19th June 2026.

Any queries please contact the Cannery by email admin@canneryarts.com.au or phone 9071 3599 Tuesday - Friday 10am-4pm. 

Image by Jonty Scoble.

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Radius 8.0 - Regional Partner Program
Apr
22
to 28 July

Radius 8.0 - Regional Partner Program

  • Cannery Arts Centre (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

The Courthouse Gallery + Studio, managed by The Junction Co., is seeking emerging and early-career artists living in regional Western Australia (Goldfields–Esperance, Kimberley, Pilbara, or South West) to participate in Radius 8.0 – Regional Partner Program.

Radius 8.0 – Regional Partner Program is a launchpad initiative combining a structured mentorship program with a group exhibition. The program supports regional artists to develop their practice through guidance from experienced mentors and provides opportunities to present work in a professional gallery environment. The program supports both the development of new work and the presentation of selected works in a group exhibition.

Click through for more info.

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Install Volunteer Callout
Oct
28
to 9 Nov

Install Volunteer Callout

We’re inviting our Cannery community to be part of something special - our Install Volunteer Team for 2026!

With new gallery lighting on the way and exciting touring and local exhibitions lined up, we’re looking for a small group of passionate, capable volunteers to train and assist with exhibition installations throughout the year.

Who We’re Looking For

Are you an artist wanting to build your professional skills?
An art lover curious about what goes on behind the scenes?
Or simply someone who enjoys being hands-on and helping bring exhibitions to life?
If so - we’d love to have you on board!

Click to find out more.

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2026 Artist EOIs
May
29
to 25 July

2026 Artist EOIs

The Cannery Arts Centre wants to support artists to exhibit, develop and collaborate.

Whether it's a solo show, group exhibition, kids installation, community project, or your first go at curating — we want to hear your ideas.

With the appointment of two new Artistic Directors — Alex Desebrock (Main Gallery) and Rani Fankha (Art Room Gallery) — we’re taking a more strategic and collaborative approach to our exhibition program. We're inviting artists to talk with us, pitch ideas, and dream with us.

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STEVE COOKE SCHOLARSHIP 25/26
May
1
to 5 June

STEVE COOKE SCHOLARSHIP 25/26

This scholarship is named in honour of Steve Cooke, glassblower, artist, supporter of the arts and good friend to the Cannery Arts Centre. It has been set up with the support of Debbie Warnes, Steve’s partner. 

To encourage emerging artists we are giving a scholarship to our popular Art Lab series. The artist selected for the Steve Cooke Scholarship will be eligible to select and attend our massive range of Art Lab workshops from July 2024 to end of June 2025 and includes a 12 month membership to the Cannery Arts Centre. 

View Event →