Gallery Hire

Alternating Current Art Space welcomes proposals from emerging and established artists, curators, art collectives, organisations, independent launches, and festivals. We host contemporary art practitioners working across visual art, audio, video-based, and performance works. Whether you are planning a solo show or a curated group exhibition, our five distinct gallery spaces offer flexible options to suit a wide range of artistic practices and budgets.

We hold two proposal submission rounds each year, approximately in March/April and September/October. Applications can be submitted at any time but are assessed after the closing dates. We welcome applications from interstate and overseas artists as well as local Melbourne practitioners. Our exhibition program values experimentation, creative risk-taking, and the presentation of ambitious contemporary work across all mediums.

Gallery Spaces & Pricing

Each exhibition runs for three weeks. The hire fee covers gallery use, advertising, social media promotion, mailing list announcements, staff assistance with installation and deinstallation, and gallery sitting for part of the show. All prices below are per three-week exhibition period.

What We Provide

When you exhibit at Alternating Current Art Space, the gallery takes care of a range of practical and promotional responsibilities to support your show. Our aim is to ensure that every exhibition is presented professionally and reaches the widest possible audience within the Melbourne arts community and beyond.

• Three-week exhibition period in your chosen gallery space
• Advertisement in Art Almanac and Art Guide Australia
• Social media promotion across our Facebook and Instagram channels
• Emailed invitation to our mailing list of collectors, artists, and art lovers
• Gallery staff to assist with installation and deinstallation
• Basic tools provided: ladder, hammer, nails, screws, drill, and level
• Gallery sitting for part of the exhibition period
• Set up and clean up on opening night (every Friday, 6–8 pm)
• 25% commission on all sales made during the exhibition

Artist Responsibilities

Artists and curators are expected to take an active role in the practical aspects of their exhibition. This collaborative approach is central to how artist-run initiatives operate and ensures that every exhibitor has ownership over the presentation of their work.

• Payment of gallery hire fee by the specified date
• Supply of high-quality promotional images by the due date
• Transportation of all artwork to and from the gallery
• Installation and deinstallation of work (gallery staff will assist)
• Insurance for artwork (optional but recommended)
• Any specialised equipment required for the exhibition
• Provision of an artwork list by the due date
• Gallery sitting: three shifts of three hours each during the exhibition period
• Return the gallery to its original condition after deinstallation, including patching walls, filling holes, and removing all fixings
• Repaint walls if they were painted a colour other than white for the exhibition

Tips for Your Proposal

We receive a large number of proposals each round and appreciate applications that are clear, specific, and well-presented. When preparing your submission, follow the application instructions carefully, use plain language to describe your proposed exhibition, and be specific about what visitors will see in the gallery. Send beautiful, high-quality images that represent your practice accurately. Ensure image files are not excessively large but are of sufficient resolution to assess your work.

If you are proposing an exhibition of work that has not yet been made, describe your creative process, reference relevant precedents in your practice, and include images of related previous work. We welcome ambitious proposals that push the boundaries of what a gallery exhibition can be, and we are equally open to thoughtful, considered presentations of traditional media. What matters most is that your proposal communicates a clear artistic vision and demonstrates that you have thought carefully about how your work will occupy and activate the gallery space.

Video & Projection Works

Gallery 4 is particularly well-suited to time-based and screen-based work. The room can be completely blacked out, providing an immersive environment for video projections, multi-channel installations, and light-sensitive works. If your practice involves moving image, sound, or interactive digital elements, Gallery 4 offers the technical flexibility you need. Artists working with video or projection should note this when submitting their proposal.

Contact Us

If you have questions about the gallery spaces, the application process, or any other aspect of exhibiting at Alternating Current Art Space, please do not hesitate to get in touch. You can reach us by email at [email protected] or by phone on 03 9525 2459. We are always happy to discuss your ideas and help you determine which space best suits your project.