Visual arts
Tanks Arts Centre and the Court House Gallery house Council's main gallery spaces. Visual artists in Cairns are invited to submit an application for the standby register or discuss their ideas with the gallery curator. A number of mentorship programs and exhibition opportunities are offered throughout the year to emerging artists and school-based artists. Email Council's galleries curator.
The Opportunity
Artists selected in the Curate Create program will:
- have the opportunity to work with established artists
- receive funds for project materials
- learn curatorial skills and project management from Creative Life Project Officers and Gallery technicians
- receive regular support, including marketing, with artwork creation right through to artwork/exhibition installation.
If you have any questions about the program or application process, please don’t hesitate to contact the team on 4032 6634 or flameprojects@cairns.qld.gov.au.
Applications close Monday 11 April 2022
Site locations
Installations must be tailored to one of the three chosen locations and their themes
- Cairns Court House – South Lawn (including the veranda)
- Artworks that are vibrant, bold and experimental
- Works that celebrate our city’s unique environment and heritage.
- Botanic Gardens Visitor Centre – Multipurpose room & Exhibition Wall
- North Queensland region native flora & fauna
- Works that are made with or reflect natural materials.
- Works that reflect our natural heritage.
- Artworks that reflect local community stories and issues
- Tanks Arts Centre -External spaces
- Works that speak to or reflect Indigenous Cultures
- That tell the story of cultures across the Asia Pacific Region
- Works that reflect local industry and local history
The Energy Exhibition is held annually at the Tanks Arts Centre and features work from year 10, 11 and 12 art students from Far North Queensland. Several opportunities by the Tanks curatorial team out of the exhibition to support young artists to develop a solo exhibition, or to work with mentors on a group exhibition.
Artists featured in the Energy Exhibition have the opportunity to be selected to be part of the Flame.Visual Mentorship Program or be offered the chance to hold a solo exhibition at the Tanks Arts Centre.
If you are interested in being part of the Energy Exhibition please enquire with your art teacher about how you can get involved.
Each year, the Tanks Curator chooses a high school artist to develop a solo exhibition at Tanks Arts Centre.
The prestigious Tanks Curator's Award is chosen from entries in the annual Energy Exhibition, held in September.
The winner is supported and mentored by local artists to create and present a body of work for a solo exhibition, which is promoted and marketed by the team at Tanks.
Rolling Application
Free exhibitions are available to local artists (residents of the Cairns Regional Council local government area) who have joined the Standby Register.
These pre-approved artists may be invited, at any stage of the year, to prepare an exhibition at short notice. This invitation may be declined by the artist should they be previously engaged or unable to exhibit at that time without losing their place on the register.
Tanks will offer Standby artists free exhibition space, marketing and installation assistance in return for a 30% sales commission.
Applications are assessed on:
- Artistic merit
- potential for sales
- Consistency with the Tanks Visual Arts program's key themes:
- Nature/natural heritage/ Indigenous flora and fauna
- First Peoples culture
- Asia Pacific region
- North Queensland region
- Local communities, community issues, industry or history
Visual Arts Exhibitions and Public Programs Application Email the Curator
Last Updated: 10 December 2024
Latest News > All News
Council improves community safety
Cairns Regional Council has completed the installation of new CCTV infrastructure at four locations across the Cairns Local Government Area....
22 June 2026
Investing in safe, resilient, connected communities
Cairns’ residents will benefit from a significant investment of $36.4 million in community infrastructure, active travel, recreation facilities and public...
22 June 2026
Council seeks certainty from State for major projects
Council commends significant investment already committed to major projects across housing, health and roads, however the city now needs clear...
19 June 2026