Rainbow Exhibition 2026
Celebrating LGBTIQA+ arts and culture
LGBTIQA+ artists and curators are invited to apply for a solo or group exhibition at the Eltham Library Community Gallery.
The selected exhibition will be put forward for Midsumma Festival, Australia’s premier queer arts and cultural festival, bringing together a diverse mix of LGBTIQA+ artists, performers, communities and audiences. The program shares the lived experiences of those voices at the margins, the expression of queer history and the celebration of new ideas.
This project will receive a project fee, curatorial and marketing support, an opening celebration and be registered as a Midsumma event.
Projects will receive a $5,000 project fee. Read the guidelines below for more information.
Eltham Library Community Gallery Rainbow Exhibition Terms and Conditions 2026(PDF, 2MB)
Applications open: Saturday 1 March 2025
Applications close: 11.55am Friday 9 May 2025
Exhibition dates: 24 January - 1 March 2026
Location: Eltham Library Community Gallery, Panther Place, Eltham
We will notify all applicants by end of July 2025.
Submit an application
Criteria for determining successful proposals
- Quality of exhibition
- Eligible for Midsumma Festival
- Suitability to exhibit (exhibition considers the unique gallery space, and is suitable for all audiences, the gallery is located in a public space at the entrance of the Eltham Library)
- Local or connection to the Shire
- Identifies as one or more of Nillumbik's priority group demographics (First Nations Person - Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, culturally or linguistically diverse, person with disability/chronic illness/mental health, LGBTIQA+ and gender diverse, age (emerging artist aged 18-29)
Note: 25 per cent of the score is from responses to demographic questions.
Exhibition proposals will be assessed by a panel comprising of a member of the Nillumbik Shire Council Arts and Cultural Advisory Committee, a Social Planning and Equity team member, and Arts and Cultural Development team members.
We strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people living with a disability, culturally or linguistically diverse people, LGBTIQA+ people and emerging artists and curators.
Contact us about your access requirements by emailing artsinfo@nillumbik.vic.gov.au or call 9433 3359.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to visit the Eltham Library Community Gallery before applying.
More information
To keep in the loop about opportunities subscribe to the Nillumbik Arts e-newsletter and follow Nillumbik Arts on Instagram and Facebook.
For more information about Eltham Library Community Gallery, contact:
Exhibitions Officer
Email: artsinfo@nillumbik.vic.gov.au
Phone: 9433 3111
Image: Ayman Kaake 'In Their Names' 2024 Midsumma exhibition. Photograph Jamie Robertson
Images of the gallery space
Image: Install photo of In their names by Ayman Kaake, Eltham Library Community Gallery, Rainbow Exhibition 2024, Photo by Jamie Robertson.
Image: Installation photo of Arena by Alun Rhys Jones, 2025 Rainbow Exhibition, Eltham Library Community Gallery, Photo by Greenlight Media.