Visual arts

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