ReDesign by Sara Nash, 2024, Unicorn Lane

Community Art Pathways

When you ask a creative person what they want more of, and what would help them develop a better artistic practice, many of them say they want opportunities to show their work. But many artists and creative people are at varying stages along that journey. So the City of Ballarat has developed a series of Community Art Pathways our community can join at whatever point makes sense for them. This is all part of our wider objective to help create environments where our creative community can thrive.

Here’s how to use the Pathways.

Select the avenue you think is right for you, review the terms and conditions and what’s involved, then apply! The selection process is different for every pathway, and our team of staff and community members help to decide who gets a chance to show their work.

This is not just for visual artists. We’re keen to see applications for music, performance, spoken word, dance, craft and anything else, as long as it is appropriate to the space and selection criteria. So review the terms and conditions, and application forms, closely.

We actively encourage applications from creatives of Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander descent, CALD and minority groups. It is hugely important to the City of Ballarat that the complex voices from across our community have a chance to speak, create and make.

Priority is given to Ballarat based creatives.

PATHWAY 1 - UNICORN LANE

Located just off busy Sturt Street, Unicorn Lane offers artists nine light boxes of various dimensions to showcase their works. It is ideal for emerging visual artists or 3D creatives and makers of small works. To assist emerging artists, Creative City Ballarat can provide financial assistance ($400) to produce new works for the dedicated space.

Applications are open all year round, please read the Terms and Conditions and review the space available before completing the online application form.

Applications are being considered for 2027.

Unicorn Lane Terms and conditions

Unicorn Lane Display Dimensions

Unicorn Lane exhibitor Hippy Robertson installing her exhibition. (May 2025). Photography by Sunflower Imaging.

Unicorn Lane Application

PATHWAY 2 - art space ballarat

14 Lydiard Street North
(Ballarat Mining Exchange frontage)

Art Space Ballarat is centrally located and offers the opportunity for local emerging artists a space for visual art and 3D art exhibitions, installations, as well as performing arts events. Situated in the Arts Precinct as well as a busy local and tourist thoroughfare, it is an excellent location.

Successful applicants will curate, install, market, promote and supervise the space themselves for the duration of their exhibition or event. Applications are open throughout the year with a community consultation group meeting three times a year to provide feedback on submissions.

Exhibitors are supported by a $500 artist fee to assist with the cost of exhibiting such as printed promotion, labels and catalogues. Exhibition supervisors may be arranged with the Creative City team to sit the space for 2 days of the required 5 days, to support artists.

Art Space Terms and Conditions

Art Space Layout

Emerging artist Annelise Belladonna in at Art Space Ballarat (2025). Photography by Sunflower Imaging.

currently not accepting applications.

PATHWAY 3 - backspace gallery

The Art Gallery of Ballarat is now accepting Backspace exhibition proposals for 2026. Our Backspace program provides early career regional artists with the opportunity to receive professional development and exhibit their work. Successful applicants receive an artist fee and professional support at every step of the exhibition’s planning, installation and promotion.

This opportunity is available to artists in the early stages of their exhibiting career, and preference will be given to applicants living or working in the City of Ballarat and wider region.

Note: Applicants that have exhibited in Art Space or Unicorn Lane must wait two years until they can apply tot or exhibit in Backspace Gallery.

Backspace’s new home at 43 Mair Street is open seven days a week during exhibition periods.

currently not accepting applications.

Art Hub - Artist in ResidencE

The City of Ballarat’s Creative City Artist in Residency program aims to support local artists, creative micro-business and makers that live, work or study in Ballarat and surrounding region.

With Art Hub centrally located on Lydiard St North next to Art Space, Art Gallery of Ballarat and the Post Office Gallery, the successful artist/s will be visible to passing foot traffic and be in the heart of the city’s creative district

The key objectives of the Artist in Residency program is provide artists with a location and time to develop work and explore new creative ideas and encourage connections and engagement
between creative practitioners and the broader community.