Ridge Street Window Gallery

Located 43 Ridge Street North Sydney, the new Ridge Street Window Gallery offers great exposure from high levels of passing foot and vehicular traffic.

Gallery hours

7 days a week, until 10pm each evening. Artworks are can only be seen from outside the gallery and the gallery is not staffed.

Ridge Street Window Gallery objectives

• provide a diverse and engaging annual exhibition program that includes a mix of Council run exhibitions, local artists and art groups, and visiting and out-of-area artist exhibitions.
• ensure exhibitions are of high quality and presented in a professional manner in accordance with the selection criteria, exhibition guidelines and conditions of use.
• support and promote artists, arts groups and curators who are working across a range of media and are able to contribute to the unique cultural identity of the visual arts in North Sydney.
• provide opportunities for the North Sydney community and its visitors to engage with contemporary art in the area and gallery public programs.
• support and develop public programs such as artist talks, educational activities, workshops and special events appropriate to the space and exhibitions.
• provide opportunity for aritsts to sell their work.

Exhibition Proposals/Applications to May 2024 have closed.

About the space

The Ridge Street Window Gallery is prominently situated on a busy thoroughfare. The gallery offers great exposure from high levels of passing foot and vehicular traffic. The unique nature of the space enables passers-by and visitors to view exhibitions until 8pm, 7 days per week.

Located at 43 Ridge Street North Sydney, the Ridge Street Window Gallery

• comprises two (2) purpose-built white moveable display walls (290cm (length) x 240cm (height) and 270cm (length) x 240cm (height))
• professional gallery lighting as well as excellent natural daylight
• provision for the display of two-dimensional work (such as painting, drawing, textiles), sculpture and multi-media works (plinths for sculptural works and installations may be available for use)

Artworks are ONLY viewable from outside the gallery and the gallery will not be staffed.

Ridge Street Window Gallery objectives

• provide a diverse and engaging annual exhibition program that includes a mix of Council run exhibitions, local artists and art groups, and visiting and out-of-area artist exhibitions.
• ensure exhibitions are of high quality and presented in a professional manner in accordance with the selection criteria, exhibition guidelines and conditions of use.
• support and promote artists, arts groups and curators who are working across a range of media and are able to contribute to the unique cultural identity of the visual arts in North Sydney.
• provide opportunities for the North Sydney community and its visitors to engage with contemporary art in the area and gallery public programs.
• support and develop public programs such as artist talks, educational activities, workshops and special events appropriate to the space and exhibitions.
• provide opportunity for aritsts to sell their work.

Applications to exhibit

Applications for the 2023/24 program are now closed

Successful applicants will be contacted to discuss suitable exhibition dates.

Eligibility and selection process

Exhibitions are selected by a selection panel. Applications will be assessed and graded to determine suitability and overall fit with the gallery program. Emerging, experienced mid career and professional artists are highly valued and encouraged to apply.

Applications will be graded according to:

• Quality of application and artistic merit
• Originality
• Suitability to exhibition space/s
• Contribution to a diverse calendar of exhibitions in terms of content and approach
• Relevance to the North Sydney Local Government Area
• Value of the opportunity to the artist's practice

Prospective applicants are strongly encouraged to view the exhibition space to assess suitability for their work

Exhibition terms and conditions

Artworks are only viewable from outside the gallery and the gallery will not be staffed.

Loan agreement

A loan agreement specifying duration, delivery, collection, installation, insurance values, etc. will be offered to the successful artists.

Exhibition duration

Exhibitions will generally run for 6 weeks. Works must remain on exhibition for the entire agreed exhibition duration.

Fees and charges

There are no exhibition fees or commissions on any sales.

Artwork sales

• Artworks may be made available for sale.
• North Sydney Council cannot sell artworks on behalf of exhibitors. Any sales enquiries will be directed to the exhibitor. To facilitate this artists will need to provide online contact details either via their (or their gallerists) website or social media.
• The delivery/collection of all items sold is the responsibility of the artist(s).

Original works

Works must be the original work of the artist and exclude reproductions.

Artwork display and hanging information

Works can be displayed in the following ways:

• hung on the moveable walls or fixed walls
• professionally framed or stretched on canvas, with d-rings securely attached to the back of the works about a quarter of the way from the top *
• unframed works may be secured with pins, tacks, Velcro, nails, double sided tape, Magnart magnet system. Blu tak or white tak is not permitted. Fixings are to be supplied by artists *
• maximum weight for any wall hanging work is 15kg
• it is the artist’s responsibility to ensure that works will fit through the front door

*other styles of fixings will be considered, however, artists are advised to contact the Arts & Culture Team to discuss this prior to applying

Freestanding/3D works

• Sculptures/installations can be displayed on standard white gallery plinths or other purpose-built supports. Artists may be required to supply some or all plinths.
• Work can be freestanding on the floor if stable and large enough for viewing. Excessively heavy work may be excluded
• It is the artist’s responsibility to ensure that works will fit through the front door

Multimedia, audio-visual works

Proposals containing multimedia, audio-visual, and sound components are welcome, however, exhibitors should contact the Arts & Culture Team to discuss requirements before applying. Artists may be required to supply some or all AV equipment.

Wet paintings cannot be installed.

Artworks cannot be suspended from the ceiling.

The gallery has professional lighting and natural light, we strongly recommend not including work that can be damaged by light in your exhibition (these works may be excluded by the Arts & Culture Team)

Installation and de-installation

• Successful artists must meet with exhibition staff to discuss the exhibition and any special display requirements.
• Works are to be delivered to the site the week before installation, at a date and time as agreed with Arts and Culture Team.
• Installations will commence at 9.30am on the designated installation day. Dismantling of exhibitions occurs on the last day of the exhibition with collection at a mutually agreed time.
• An exhibitions officer will supervise and advise exhibitors in the installation and dismantling of exhibitions ensuring the operational guidelines of North Sydney Council are adhered to, and ensuring the best possible display is achieved.

Successful applicants will need to be available to discuss, receive professional development support and advice on how to present their work and curate their display.

Insurance

Works listed in the loan agreement will be covered by Councils Insurance for the duration of time onsite.  Transit insurance is the responsibility of the artist.