​ YINGA/ FIRST NATIONS CURATORIAL OPPORTUNITY/

EXPRESSION OF INTEREST:

YINGA/
FIRST NATIONS CURATORIAL OPPORTUNITY

The Substation is seeking exhibition proposals from Victoria-based early to mid-career Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander curators to develop and present a bold and experimental exhibition for The Substation Galleries in May-August 2027.

This opportunity invites a solo curator or curatorial collective to propose an innovative exhibition project that explores new ideas, perspectives and approaches to contemporary First Nations practice. The exhibition may take the form of a solo or group exhibition, providing an opportunity to develop a project that responds to the possibilities of The Substation’s gallery spaces.

We are looking for proposals that are conceptually driven, interdisciplinary, risk-taking and experimental, engaging with new approaches to exhibition-making and contemporary curatorial practice.

Proposals may include newly commissioned works, existing works or a combination of both. We encourage exhibitions that engage with a broad range of creative practices, including visual art, new media, digital works, installation, moving image, sound, new and emergent technologies and interdisciplinary approaches. The exhibition should include representation of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander artists, while proposals may also include non-Indigenous artists where this supports the curatorial vision and context of the exhibition.

The selected curator will receive a $2,000 curatorial fee to support the development of the exhibition. A separate $5,000 exhibition production budget will be available to support the delivery of the project (total budget $7,000). This budget may include artist fees, materials, production costs and other associated expenses. Applicants should submit a draft budget breakdown as part of their proposal outlining how the exhibition production budget will be allocated.

The Substation will provide in-kind venue, production and marketing support valued at over $20,000 to assist with the realisation, promotion and presentation of the project.

PUBLIC PROGRAM AND CURATORIAL TOUR

As part of the exhibition, the selected curator will be expected to deliver:

• a public program during the exhibition period
• a curatorial tour of the exhibition

These activities are intended to activate the exhibition, engage audiences and support the curator in developing skills and experience in public presentation and audience engagement.

The format of the public program is open for discussion and should respond to the curatorial vision of the exhibition. It may take a range of forms, including an artist talk, performance activation, workshop, panel discussion, community engagement activity or other audience-focused experience.

The Substation will work with the selected curator to support the development and delivery of the public program. The public program and curatorial tour should be considered within the total exhibition production budget.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND SUPPORT

Alongside the exhibition opportunity, the selected curator will have access to professional development, mentorship and relationship-building opportunities throughout the development and delivery of the project.

Alongside the exhibition opportunity, the selected curator will have access to professional development, mentorship and relationship-building opportunities throughout the development and delivery of the project.

Support is open for discussion and can be tailored according to the needs, interests and experience of the selected curator and the requirements of the project.

Potential opportunities may include:

• Meetings with The Substation’s First Nations Visual Art Artform Advisor, Dr Jessica Clark, to support the development of the curatorial vision and exhibition approach
• Meetings with The Substation team, including Creative Director/CEO Nuala Furtado and Executive Producer Nicholas Tee, to support exhibition development, production planning, delivery and presentation
• Professional development sessions with The Substation team focused on areas such as exhibition development, curatorial practice, public programs, marketing, production, installation and delivery skills
• Opportunities to connect with The Substation’s Resident Companies and artists, providing opportunities for knowledge sharing, creative exchange and connection with other practitioners working within the building
• Connection with local Elders and cultural support, including opportunities for conversation, guidance and relationship-building throughout the development process

The Substation will work with the selected curator to shape a support model that responds to their practice, goals and the needs of the exhibition.

ABOUT THE SUBSTATION

The Substation is located on the lands of the Yalukit-willam of the Kulin Nation. We acknowledge and recognise the Ancestors, Elders and families of the Yalukit-willam people, the Traditional Custodians of the land on which The Substation stands. The Substation has recently been given the name Yinga [yin-ga] by The Substation Storyteller, Jaeden Williams, in the Yallukit-willam language. Meaning magic, story or song, Yinga reflects The Substation’s ongoing relationship with Country, community and place. The name also speaks to the role of the building as a place for imagination, storytelling, connection and creative exchange. This opportunity takes its name from Yinga.

Housed within a historic former railway substation in Newport, Melbourne’s west, The Substation is a unique large-scale multi-artform space presenting contemporary and experimental work across visual art, performance, dance, music, installation and interdisciplinary practices. Our building houses multiple gallery spaces, the Djilak Djirri Studio and a large-scale performance space. The Substation encourages artists and curators to engage with the building’s post-industrial architecture, history and atmosphere, considering the site as an active part of the creative process.

The Substation is committed to supporting ambitious contemporary practice, fostering collaboration and creating opportunities for artists to develop new ideas, connect with audiences and engage with community.

ASSESSMENT

Applications will be assessed by The Substation’s First Nations Visual Art Artform Advisor, Dr Jessica Clark, alongside Creative Director/CEO Nuala Furtado and Executive Producer Nicholas Tee.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES STATEMENT

The Substation is committed to creating a culturally safe, inclusive and equitable environment for artists, curators and creative practitioners.

We recognise the ongoing sovereignty of First Nations peoples and acknowledge the deep cultural knowledge, histories and contemporary practices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists and communities. We are committed to supporting First Nations self-determination and increasing opportunities for First Nations practitioners to lead, shape and contribute to our programs.

This opportunity is specifically open to First Nations curators as part of our commitment to creating dedicated pathways for First Nations leadership and cultural practice within the arts sector. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from across Australia and welcome practitioners at all career stages.

The Substation is committed to a fair and transparent selection process. Applications will be assessed on the basis of the applicant’s experience, vision, curatorial approach and alignment with the opportunity. We recognise that cultural knowledge, community engagement and lived experience are valuable forms of expertise.

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and identities and are committed to removing barriers to participation wherever possible. We encourage applicants who may require adjustments or support during the application process to contact us.

HOW TO APPLY

To submit an Expression of Interest for the First Nations Curatorial Opportunity, please complete the online application form.

Applicants will be asked to provide details about themselves, their curatorial practice and their proposed exhibition, including a curatorial concept, proposed artists and draft budget breakdown.

Please review the opportunity guidelines and submission requirements before applying. Applications must be submitted through the online form by Wednesday 30 September 2026.

KEY DATES

• Applications open: Wednesday 19 August 2026
• Online information session: 3 or 10 September 2026, 12:00pm via Google Meet. Register here.
• Applications close: Wednesday 30 September 2026
• Applicants notified by: Mid-October 2026
• Exhibition period: May-August 2027
• Public program and curatorial tour: Dates TBC within exhibition period

For further information, please attend the online information session, contact info@thesubstation.org.au or visit our website.

Photography:

In The Air, exhibition and public progam, curated by Jessica Clark, 2025, documentation by Cassie Sullivan.