c3 is a non-profit contemporary art space located within the basement of the historic Abbotsford Convent building. Forming a key element to the Convent’s arts, cultural and education precinct, the gallery will present an innovative and engaging approach to the presentation of contemporary exhibitions, across all forms of artistic practice. It will also provide professional opportunities and support to artists at all stages of their careers.

Situated in an iconic building with a ground level entrance facing heritage gardens and the Yarra River, c3 offers a unique platform for contemporary community culture.

The Abbotsford Convent precinct receives upwards of 40,000 visitors each month, from all walks of life. It is c3’s mission to provide a calendar of exhibitions that represents a confluence of ideas expanding outwards from each gallery. With the structure of three galleries, each with differing intellectual projects, c3 can exhibit combinations of shows that will stimulate a large and divergent art crowd.

The Gallery

c3 operates three main exhibition spaces and a window space gallery offering 24 hour viewing. The curatorial vision encompasses a wide range of art forms, including community-oriented exhibitions, contemporary and experimental art, design, architecture, craft, fashion and performance/sound based works.


Gallery 1

Gallery 1 presents the work of emerging to mid career artists working in all media of contemporary art based practices.

The space is divided into three galleries, one of which can be used for smaller projects, or as an AV space. Any combination of the three spaces can be considered for solo or group shows.

Gallery 1’s exhibition program supports projects that demonstrate a new and innovative approach towards the production of art and ideas. Proposals to exhibit are welcomed from all creative practices, including visual and audiovisual arts, new media, design, craft, fashion, sound art and architecture. Preference will be given to those projects that actively engage contemporary creative thought. A representative committee of artists and arts professionals oversees the development of Gallery 1’s annual calendar and its curatorial objectives.

Gallery 2

Gallery 2 is a project space formally coordinated by c3. Established and emerging curators are encouraged to participate in the programming of an interesting annual calendar. Gallery 2 looks to collaborate with galleries, cultural organisations and festivals, allowing them to fulfill a public outreach agenda and increase the artistic milieu and interdisciplinary contact onsite. The exhibition program will include a divergent and lively representation of artistic and curatorial practices. Gallery 2 does not take proposals from individual artists but does seek to facilitate interest from curators and organisations.

Gallery 3

Gallery 3 runs a program with a wide, constantly evolving brief. Proposals are welcomed from artists working in any media and any type of creative practice. The calendar is developed by a representative committee, and is aimed at encouraging diversity, lively exchange and an expanding dialogue between contemporary creators and the wider community. Gallery 3 is about variety, innovation and melding the traditional and non-traditional, in art form, approach and audience.

This is a space where contemporary art practice meets the community. It includes a program that encourages the involvement of community arts projects, Convent studio artists and local and regional artists and organisations. The program is managed by c3 and a representative committee.

Eligibility

c3 accepts proposals from local, interstate and overseas artists, curators, arts collectives, organisations and festivals. Practitioners in any field of creative endeavor are eligible to exhibit, including (but not limited to) visual and audiovisual arts, new media, design, craft, fashion, sound art, performance and architecture. Preference will be given to applicants who address the curatorial vision of the gallery.

c3 aims to present a calendar of events that offers a balance of young, emerging and established artists as well as age, gender and culture.

Applications to exhibit can be for solo shows or curated group shows. The entire gallery space can only be sought for use by major festivals.

Exhibition Costs

Gallery 1

Space A $650

Space B $750

Project space $450

Gallery 2 $850

Gallery 3 $850

Window space $100

Foyer space $250

All Prices not including GST

Included in the costs are:

  • 3 week exhibition and 1 week in total for install / de-install
  • Printing and design of invitations and mail out to media, galleries, curators and institutions
  • Email-out to 3000+ on the Convent’s electronic database
  • Gallery guide listings
  • Opening, including drinks
  • Staffing of the gallery, including the facilitation of sales.
  • Curatorial assistance
  • Inclusion in the c3 archive
  • Information panels in each gallery

Artists are responsible for:

  • Personal mail-out
  • Installation and de-installation of the work (contract staff available for $30 p/h)
  • Sitting of the exhibition on weekends
  • Return of the gallery to its original condition
  • Insurance of work

Please note:

c3 is a non-profit, non-commercial gallery. All revenue raised from the exhibition fees goes directly to the day to day running of the gallery.

We do not take any commission on sale of work, however we fully support the idea of a sustainable arts practice and, where possible, will facilitate sales between the artist and buyer in a discreet manner.

Proposal guidelines

Applications must be submitted in the form of a typed, A4 document.

Please do not bind your application, and make sure that it is clear, concise and brief.

c3 accepts proposals from all creative practitioners, working in any medium, but it is important you be familiar with the curatorial vision of each gallery before applying.

Proposals can be mailed or hand delivered to the Convent office at:

Providence building. 1 St Heliers Street, Abbotsford, Victoria, 3067, Australia.

Please note that that c3 does not accept proposals via email or fax.

What to include:

Page one

  • Main contact details including name, phone numbers, address and email
  • Project Title
  • Preferred gallery and dates
  • List of artists if you are applying for a group exhibition

Page two (this section can be a maximum of two pages)

  • A clear description of the project and its concepts and aims
  • A description of what will be exhibited in the space and how it will be displayed
  • A brief outline of your creative practice and how it relates to your proposal
  • Any technical requirements

Page three

  • Support material list

Support material

Please note that digital images and digital video are the preferred medium but good quality slides or prints are accepted. It is important that the images submitted relate directly to your proposal, either in form or concept. Please also include some recent work if possible.

  • Maximum of 10 images per artist for a solo show, 20 for a group exhibition
  • DVD, audio CD, MPEG, JPEG or AVI are the preferred digital formats
  • Please label your support material clearly

If you would like to discuss any aspect of your proposal, email Jon Butt at c3@abbotsfordconvent.com.au and include your contact details.

Please mail or deliver your proposal to:

c3 Contemporary Art Space

C/O The Abbotsford Convent Foundation

Providence Building,

1 St Heliers St,

Abbotsford

Victoria 3067

Australia

c3 contemporary art space is an initiative of the Abbotsford Convent Foundation

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