ABOUT
The Cotton Mills Presents is an initiative dedicated to supporting and nurturing emerging and mid-level career artists. Spanning across multiple mediums, we showcase some of the finest creatives that the West has to offer.
Hosted by The Cotton Mills Business Association, a volunteer run group made up of artists and creatives, along with support from the Maribyrnong Council, The Cotton Mills Presents invites artists to exhibit their work in a professional environment.
what
The Exhibition
An annual art exhibitions held at the new Footscray Town Hall.
Exhibition 1 - Emerging and Mid-level Artists
8 artists will showcase up to 5 artworks from a body of work
Each artist receives a stipend for exhibiting their work as well as all profits from sales. We don't take any commissions! In addition to your artist stipend, your works will be selected by a panel of acclaimed artists based in the Cotton Mills. These artists are Godwin Bradbeer, Andrea Huelin, Rachel Theodorakis and Robert Earp. Successful artists will also receive feedback on their exhibiting body of work.
There is no theme to submissions, we want to see what you create without placing restrictions or, distracting from your true body of work. Works must not have been previously exhibited and must be from a cohesive body of work.
when
The Dates
6th June 2025 - 21st of June 2025
Opening night Friday 6th June 2025
Closing night Saturday 21st June 2025
Exhibition visiting hours TBC
details
How Do I Get Involved?
Ready to show the West what you can do? Applications for expressions of interest are now open. Simply submit below!
Artist expressions of interest are now open! Are you ready to exhibit your work to the world? We think so. Show us what you've got in the application form below.
EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST
Artist Callout
CLOSING - 3PM JAN 31 2025
FAQs
artist stipends
Successful applicants will receive $500 each for participating in the group exhibition. Coupled with feedback and mentorship from our resident Cotton Mills artists.
artist commissions
All participating artists will 100% of proceeds for the sale of their work. The Cotton Mills Presents will not take a commission.
promotion
Cotton Mills Presents will market and campaign the promotion of both exhibitions. Successful applicants will also be required to promote the exhibition details to their wider network.
eligibility
All artists must reside or be based in the City of Maribyrnong. We strongly welcome applications from Aboriginal, culturally and linguistically diverse, LGBTQI+ and/or people who have a disability. Artwork must be newly created or not exhibited within the last 6 months.
funding
50% of the artists stipend will be paid upon acceptance to our exhibition. The balance of the artist stipend will be paid upon completion of the exhibition. All costs incurred to the creation of the artwork are the artists responsibility.
what's involved
Our team treat these exhibitions as professional shows. Each exhibition will have a programme outlining your art, artist name, sale price (if available to buy) and image of each artwork. Prior to the exhibition we will require small images of each piece you plan to exhibit in order to have the programmes as accurate as possible. The team will also curate your works for the gallery space, outlining where the works need to be hung. All works must be ready to hang or display with clear instructions where needed. Our team will always be available to speak with if you ever have any doubts. We want to make this exhibition as carefree and seamless as possible especially if this is your first time exhibiting your work.
