Exhibit at the Counihan Gallery

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 for our 2024 exhibition program are now closed.

Applicants can expect to be notified about the outcome of their proposal in September 2023.

Apply to exhibit in the Merri-bek Summer Show

Applications for the Merri-bek Summer Show have 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. This year’s Merri-bek Summer Show themei s 'A Climate for Change'.

Merri-bek Summer Show key dates

  • Submit your application before Saturday 30 September, 5pm.

  • Applicants will be notified about the outcome of their application in the middle of October 2023.

    If you have not heard from the Counihan Gallery by Wednesday 25 October, please contact the Counihan Gallery at CounihanGallery@merri-bek.vic.gov.au. 

  • If you are accepted into the exhibition, you must deliver your completed work to the Counihan Gallery between 11am and 5pm, Friday 20 October and Saturday 21 October 2023.

  • The Merri-bek Summer Show opens on Saturday 4 November at 2pm and closes on Saturday 9 December 2023 at 5pm.

  • The exhibition opens on Saturday 4 November, 2pm.

    The exhibition opening will be interpreted in Auslan.

  • At the end of the exhibition, you must collect your artwork from the Counihan Gallery between 1pm and 5pm on Sunday 10 December 2023, or between 11am and 5pm on Wednesday 13 December.

    If you are unable to collect your artwork on these details, you must organise for someone to collect the work for you.

  • The recipient of the Noel Counihan Commemorative Art Award, Highly Commended Award and Climate for Change Award will be announced at the exhibition opening on Saturday 4 November, 2pm.

    Awards will be announced by Mick Counihan, Noel Counihan Estate.

    The recipient of the People's Choice Award will be announced in our eNewsletter and social media at the end of the exhibition in December. 

Merri-bek Summer Show awards

As part of the Merri-bek Summer Show, the Counihan Gallery is pleased to present the Noel Counihan Commemorative Art Awards and the People's Choice Award.

  • The Counihan Gallery is pleased to present the 7th 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.

  • This year, we also have a Highly Commended Award, which is a themed book pack to the value of $250, generously sponsored by local bookshop Brunswick Bound.

  • The People's Choice Award is a cash prize of $1000, generously sponsored by the Sydney Road Brunswick Association (SRBA).

    The People’s Choice Award is voted by visitors of the Merri-bek Summer Show. Voting for this award will open on Saturday 4 November, 2pm.

    SRBA is an initiative of local business operators to help support the overall growth and development of the Sydney Road Brunswick retail strip.

    To learn more about the SRBA, you can visit the SRBA website.

  • This year we are thrilled to introduce the ‘Climate for Change Award’, which celebrates an artist who champions environmental justice and activates for a greener future. The ‘Climate for Change Award’ recipient receives a $250 CERES voucher.

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.