Artists and curators can apply for an exhibition at the Counihan Gallery or to exhibit in the annual Merri-bek Summer Show.  

Please email CounihanGallery@merri-bek.vic.gov.au or call 9389 8622 if you have questions about our application processes.

Apply for a Counihan Gallery exhibition

Applications are now closed for our 2025 exhibition program.

Applicants will be notified by the end of September regarding the outcome of their proposal.

Apply to exhibit in the Merri-bek Summer Show

Applications for the Merri-bek Summer Show are now closed.

The Merri-bek Summer Show is an annual exhibition held at the Counihan Gallery. Each year, local artists are invited to submit an artwork that explores a chosen theme.

The exhibition theme for 2024 is (Be)Longing.

The theme '(Be)Longing' invites artists to explore the interplay between belonging and longing. To long for something evokes feelings of desire, yearning or nostalgia. Artists may examine the complexities that arise when our sense of belonging is disrupted or challenged, leading to feelings of longing. Conversely, they might explore how longing can shape our sense of identity and community, our sense of what it means to belong.

Merri-bek Summer Show Awards

• Noel Counihan Commemorative Art Award

  The Counihan Gallery is pleased to present the 8th Noel Counihan Commemorative Art Award.

  The Award celebrates an artist whose work explores the exhibition theme and engages with social, political, or environmental ideas. All exhibitors in the Merri-bek Summer Show are eligible for the Award.

  The Award recipient will receive $3000 towards their professional development. Examples of how the prize may be used include: paid mentorships, courses, workshops, programs, and so on.

  This prize is generously sponsored by Merri-bek City Council. The Award is non-acquisitive.

  The Award is judged by Counihan Gallery staff, a panel member from the Merri-bek Arts Advisory Committee and an independent arts professional. The judges' decision is final.

   

• People's Choice Award

  The People's Choice Award is a cash prize of $1000.

  The People’s Choice Award is voted by visitors of the Merri-bek Summer Show. The Award recipient is announced at the end of the exhibition.

• Climate Activism Award

  This award celebrates an artist whose work engages with climate justice ideas. The prize is a $500 CERES voucher.

Merri-bek Summer Show important dates

• When do I need to apply by?

  Submit your application before Saturday 28 September, 5pm.

   

• When will I hear if my application has been accepted?

  Applicants will be notified about the outcome of their application in the middle of October 2024.

• When do I need to deliver my artwork?

  If you are accepted into the exhibition, you must deliver your completed work to the Counihan Gallery between 11am and 6pm, Wednesday 30 October or Thursday 31 October 2024.

• When is the exhibition launch?

  The Merri-bek Summer Show launch is on Saturday 9 November, from 2pm to 4pm.

  On this day, we will announce the recipient of the Noel Counihan Commemorative Art Award.

• What are the exhibition dates?

  The Merri-bek Summer Show opens on Saturday 9 November at 2pm and closes on Saturday 14 December 2024 at 5pm.

  The Counihan Gallery is open Wednesday to Saturday, 11am to 5pm and Sunday, 1pm to 5pm.

• When do I need to pick up my artwork?

  At the end of the exhibition, you are required to collect your artwork from the Counihan Gallery between 1pm and 5pm on Sunday 15 December 2024, or between 11am and 5pm on Wednesday 18 December.

  If you can’t collect your work on this day, please arrange for someone to collect your work on your behalf.

View Gallery 1 and 2 in the Counihan Virtual Gallery

It's not always easy to remember the layout of our gallery from home or the studio. Now you can explore Gallery 1 and 2 in 3D on the Counihan Virtual Gallery online platform.

You can also add your artworks to the space to see how they will look using online modelling platform SketchUp. You can access this online modelling platform on the SketchUp website. You will need to create a free SketchUp account to get started and download our SketchUp file (SKP 12.6MB) from the DropBox website.