Arts Local 2027–28: Greater Dandenong Calls for Digital Art and Public Exhibitions by 15 November
Digital, 2D and 3D works for Greater Dandenong's public spaces
The City of Greater Dandenong in Victoria, Australia, has opened an Expression of Interest for its Arts Local exhibition programme in 2027–28. The council is looking for artists and creative collectives who can present work in outdoor galleries and community exhibition spaces, bringing digital, two-dimensional and small-scale three-dimensional practices into places used every day by local people. Applications close on Sunday 15 November 2026 at 11:59pm local time.
The programme welcomes emerging, mid-career and established artists, including collaborative and community-led projects. A contemporary digital illustrator, moving-image maker, photographer or multimedia artist could be relevant, provided the proposal is appropriate for one of the council's public display venues. Applications are assessed for artistic merit, connection with community objectives, practical deliverability and the audience experience.
A local preference, not an absolute residency restriction
The Terms and Conditions document welcomes applications from artists of all backgrounds and locations. It nevertheless states that preference is given to artists who live, work, create or have a demonstrable connection to the City of Greater Dandenong. This is an important distinction: artists based elsewhere are not explicitly barred, but a strong local relationship is an advantage in selection.
The council may also prioritise first-time Arts Local exhibitors and proposals that contribute to the area's cultural diversity, identity and communities. Applicants should use the application field about their connection to Greater Dandenong to describe a genuine connection where one exists; they should not invent an address or relationship in an effort to appear locally eligible.
Specific opportunities for projection and digital art
Digital work is explicitly within the programme's scope. Among the available venues is the NPK Projector in Noble Park, a laneway projection site designed for contemporary digital artworks in the public realm. Other locations include the Harmony Square Exhibition Windows, Garnar Lane Light Boxes, Pudding Lanterns, the Dandenong Paste-Up Wall, Black Light Boxes and display panels at Springvale Community Hub.
Not all locations support the same media. The council's specifications say that the Harmony Square exhibition windows have electrical power available, whereas some light boxes and lantern sites have no power supply and may require battery-operated work. Weather exposure, heat, scale, mounting and visitor safety can all affect whether a particular visual or digital artwork is practical. Read the venue specifications rather than assume an installation can be plugged in at any site.
Artist fees, curation and professional support
The council confirms that selected artists receive an honorarium for the presentation of existing work. Its public Expression of Interest page does not specify a universal dollar amount; therefore it would be misleading to promise every applicant the same cash payment. The selection process also offers exhibition space, curatorial guidance, help developing the display, marketing and promotional support, technical assistance, documentation and networking.
Individual exhibitions vary in length according to venue, generally between two and six months. The council allocates exhibition spaces and exhibition times at its discretion, and the 2027–28 invitation should not be presented as a guaranteed opening in a particular month. Artists planning time-dependent, interactive or projection-based projects should discuss equipment and maintenance considerations once a specific space is proposed.
Prepare an artist biography, statement and work examples
The current council application page asks for contact information, suburb, website or social-media links where available, a connection to Greater Dandenong, career stage, an artist biography of no more than 100 words and an artist statement of no more than 100 words. It also asks for at least three representative images, with a maximum of 40MB total for the images.
The artist statement should explain what viewers will experience and why the work suits an outdoor or publicly accessible setting. The images may show works previously exhibited or give a representative account of the applicant's approach; practical feasibility, safe installation and clarity of presentation are assessed by the council. For a digital proposal, consider adding suitable links or documentation of the projected or screen-based work where the application platform allows it.
How to apply: follow the current online form and check the attached terms
Submit the Expression of Interest by the 'Apply now' form linked from the council's current Arts Local webpage before 11:59pm on 15 November 2026. The live page presents the online form as the primary application route and provides arts@cgd.vic.gov.au for assistance and questions.
There is a procedural inconsistency in the materials worth noting. The accompanying Terms and Conditions PDF still describes submitting expressions of interest by email to the same council address, while the current programme webpage specifies the online form. The safest approach is to follow the current webpage's application button and contact the council if an applicant needs to submit by email or encounters a technical problem. Do not assume that an email alone satisfies the latest process.
What happens after selection?
Applicants receive the selection result in writing. The council says the programme receives more submissions than it can schedule, so submitting does not guarantee a show. If selected, artists are asked to supply promotional images, a final artist statement and biography, and an exhibition design document once the location is confirmed.
The Terms and Conditions also expect selected artists to attend an in-person consultation and support session at Drum Theatre in Dandenong in mid-December. The relevance of this requirement to individual applicants should be clarified if they are not based locally. For a complex digital installation, plan for power, equipment permissions, documentation and maintaining work safely through a public exhibition period.
Official deadlines and sources
Deadline: Sunday 15 November 2026, 11:59pm. Programme: Arts Local 2027–28. Host: City of Greater Dandenong, Victoria, Australia. Opportunities include digital projections, photography, two-dimensional artworks and smaller three-dimensional work in public and community spaces. Local creative connections receive preference, but applications are not strictly limited to local addresses.
Current official announcement and application button: https://www.greaterdandenong.vic.gov.au/arts-expressions-interest/expressions-interest-arts-local . Council Terms and Specifications PDF, including selection criteria and venue details: https://www.greaterdandenong.vic.gov.au/_flysystem/filerepo/A14170258 . Contact: arts@cgd.vic.gov.au . Check the latest documentation and the live application form before submission, particularly for any updated procedural or technical requirements.