Goolugatup Heathcote nagolik Bibbulmen Nyungar ally-maga milgebar gardukung naga boordjar-il narnga allidja yugow yeye wer ali kaanya Whadjack Nyungar wer netingar quadja wer burdik  ∞  Goolugatup Heathcote nagolik Bibbulmen Nyungar ally-maga milgebar gardukung naga boordjar-il narnga allidja yugow yeye wer ali kaanya Whadjack Nyungar wer netingar quadja wer burdik  ∞  Goolugatup Heathcote nagolik Bibbulmen Nyungar ally-maga milgebar gardukung naga boordjar-il narnga allidja yugow yeye wer ali kaanya Whadjack Nyungar wer netingar quadja wer burdik ∞

Melville Contemporary is an art commissioning program for experimental art. In 2025 it awards commissions to six Western Australian artists to produce exploratory new work for group exhibition at Goolugatup Heathcote.

Our artists in 2025 are Amy Perejuan-Capone, Andrew Varano, Bennett Miller, Brighde O'Hara, Bryce Olsen, and Pip Lewi.

In the 2023 edition, our finalists were Akira Akira, Dan Bourke, Jess Day, Natsumi de Dianous, Tom Mùller, and Mei Saraswati. Melville Contemporary is a biennale program presented by the City of Melville and Goolugatup Heathcote, first held in 2021.

Key info

What

Melville Contemporary is a biennial commissioning program open to professional artists based in WA. Artists are commissioned to create new artwork/s for a group exhibition, in any artform or materials. The commission is non-acquisitive.

Why

The prize supports ambitious practice from WA contemporary artists by providing a paid opportunity to make and present experimental work to the public. We are particularly interested in work that is exploratory – where artists try new things or work in unusual ways or ideas.

How

Artists are selected from a public callout – it is free and easy to apply – simply upload a concise CV, link to artist website and to socials. Applications are checked against selection criteria, and then passed to a judging panel who select six winners based on their previous arts practice. These winners are commissioned to produce new work for a group exhibition at Goolugatup in September 2025.

Each artist is provided a $3,000 commissioning fee. Artists are also supported with curatorial assistance, promo, install, sales support, photographic documentation. At the exhibition opening, one artist is selected to receive an invitation to exhibit solo in 2026-27, an opportunity with $3,000 additional artist fees and a free residency.

Who

This prize is only open to professional contemporary artists – those with recognised exhibition history and/or relevant formal education. Artists must be Australian citizens or permanent residents and be based in WA  or consider it home.

When

Applications open 6 May 2024 – 2 1 June 2024, and finalists are notified 2-4 weeks following. Exhibition scheduled 20 September – 2 November 2025 (TBC close date)

Where

Galleries 1 & 2 at Goolugatup Heathcote, 58-60 Duncraig Rd, Applecross WA 6153.

Goolugatup Heathcote is a cultural precinct overlooking the river in Applecross, WA. The heritage site is home to thriving cultural and recreational activities including a contemporary art gallery, museum, restaurant, artist studios, public markets and events, and creative small businesses.

The Gallery presents an annual program of contemporary art exhibitions across three gallery spaces. It also hosts an art prize each year, alternatively the Digital Art Prize and the Melville Contemporary Prize. Late each year, it presents a major exhibition as part of Tilt – a significant site-responsive commission.