Visual Art Program Guidelines

PROGRAM AIMS

Tanks Arts Centre’s Visual Arts Program aligns with Cairns Regional Council’s Strategy for Culture and the Arts. In particular, the program aims to:

• Provide equitable, accessible and affordable infrastructure, resources and cultural experiences.
• Connect people and communities to the region’s diverse history and cultures through engagement and participatory experiences.
• Partner and support community driven festivals and events that encourage broad participation and build new audiences for the arts.
• Interpret and amplify the significance of the Tanks and Botanic Gardens precinct, the city of Cairns and the people who live here, our cultures, our environment, and our place in the region.

Program Criteria

1. Building Profile 

Does the project help to build the profile of:

a. The featured artist(s)
b. Artistic practice
c. The Tanks Arts Centre
d. Cairns

2. Building Capacity

Does the project help contribute to:

a. Artists’ professional development
b. Community Cultural Development
c. Audience Development

3. Creative Development

What is the strength of the project in terms of:

a. Artistic Quality
b. Opportunities for Collaboration
c. Community Engagement

4. Relevance

Does the project relate to:

a. Cairns, Far North Queensland, or the Asia Pacific Region
b. Social, cultural or environmental issues facing our communities
c. Local histories, underrepresented stories
d. The Tanks Arts Centre or Cairns Botanic Gardens (site specificity)

SERVICES

• Studio and exhibition space and equipment
• Curatorial services
• Advice and assistance with project planning and grants
• Marketing services
• Handling of sales

The Tanks Arts Centre is a multi-arts venue and as such, there will undoubtedly be times when other projects and events concur with an exhibition, often in the same space. Tanks staff takes care to ensure that multiple bookings are advantageous to one another and will inform exhibitors of other projects and events during with the exhibition period. Tanks view this continual crossover of audiences to be an advantage to exhibitors, performers and to the larger community.

GALLERY/STUDIO SPACES

Tank 4 Gallery

Tank 4 can be divided and arranged in any number of configurations with movable gallery walls and lighting tracks. Long Gallery and Corner Galleries are nominal spaces and can be hired separately.

Tank 4 Gallery

Tank 3

Tank 3 is a multi-purpose space suitable for art installations, workshops, and events. Tank 3 does not have display walls but is ideal for site specific works that take advantage of its unique architecture and heritage.

EXHIBITIONS ARRANGEMENTS & FEES

Exhibition Loan Arrangements

Artists invited to exhibit at the Tanks Arts Centre under an exhibition loan arrangement:

• will be offered loan fees at NAVA recommended rates.
• are encouraged to include a public program
• will be provided with the standard services listed above

Exhibition Venue Hire Arrangements

Under an exhibition venue hire arrangement, fees and charges apply to:

• Venue and equipment hire (Tanks 3 & 4)
• Labour
• Exhibition launch events
• Marketing and promotion
• Residency accommodation

Estimates of costs can be provided on request.

Waiving of fees and charges can be granted through Council’s Arts and Cultural Grants Program for eligible applicants and projects to a maximum of $5,000.  Apply now for Individuals and Organisations

Sales Commissions

Under venue hire arrangements, 20% sales commission will be deducted from the labelled sale price of each artwork when the Tanks provide the following services:

• Taking and receipting of moneys
• Use of credit card/EFTPOS facility
• Negotiating with purchasers the method and timing of payments for deposits and balances.
• Organising collection of sold artworks post-exhibition.

Under an exhibition loan arrangement, artists will be charged 30% sales commission.