The Guide: August 2025
Not everything worth finding is on a map.
This month in The Guide, we’re drawn to the pop up spaces and signature events where artists are collecting, creating, showcasing and celebrating in ways you won’t want to miss.
The Keeper Project welcomes artist Megan Robinson as Keeper #3: The Tide Collector, who’ll be combing Caloundra’s beaches throughout August inviting you to join her in collecting what the tide leaves behind.
No plans for this weekend? The Australian Wearable Art Festival returns for its fifth year, showcasing sculptural fashion and breath-taking wearable art pieces. Last-minute tickets are still available.
Caloundra Regional Gallery is turning 25 and yes, there’ll be cake and a special exhibition bringing together all 19 past winners of the Sunshine Coast National Art Prize for the first time.
And for those planning their next creative project or career opportunity, these funding rounds are now open: Sunshine Coast Council’s RADF grants, Creative Australia’s Projects funding, and the International Travel Fund.
Read on for our top picks below and be sure to subscribe for more events and opportunities in your inbox.
Gather, Converse and Experience at ANAT SPECTRA 2025
2 - 4 October
ANAT SPECTRA 2025 :: Reciprocity is a three-day gathering of artists, scientists, technologists and makers exploring creative collaboration and meaningful connection. The program features participatory conversations, artist activations, site-specific works, live performances and an outdoor screen program across the UniSC campus.
Program highlights include a Welcome to Country with Kabi Kabi Elder Aunty Helena Gulash, a keynote by renowned artist, activist and academic r e a, and Tallo-Billa: Ocean Experience, a deep listening journey blending live-streamed Humpback Whale song via underwater hydrophones with Kabi Kabi artist Lyndon Davis.
Need a Sounding Board? One-on-one Support Available with a Senior Producer Amie Moffat
The Regional Arts Services Network (RASN) is offering free one-hour mentoring sessions with Senior Producer Amie Moffat. These sessions are designed to support artists, creatives and cultural workers in shaping project ideas, building networks and navigating connections with local government and arts organisations across the region.
Amie brings deep experience across Australia and Aotearoa, New Zealand. She is currently Senior Producer for ANAT SPECTRA 2025, and has held leadership roles with PANNZ and Horizon Festival. With a passion for supporting creatives from vision to delivery, Amie offers valuable insight into making impactful work happen.
R|Talk: Regional Design, Global Reach
21 August
The Refinery and the Design Institute of Australia team up for this facilitated panel discussion deep diving into the processes and practices of global design leaders.
Panellists Adelaide Coman (Stanford University), Allan Walker (Numeral) and Charlie Sutton (Atlassian) share insights into how digital connectivity, cultural exchange and strategic partnerships drive impactful design practice from regional places in an engaging discussion facilitated by Dr Colleen Morgan (Josephmark).
Held at the WOTSO Event Space in Sippy Downs, capacity is limited and tickets are moving fast! Don’t miss this one.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
First Nations Creative Pathways Program supports emerging Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander creatives from Brisbane and regional QLD to pursue performing arts careers through a free 9-month program of training, mentoring, networking and immersion in 2025.
Applications close 24 August
EOI
The Emerging Artist Window Gallery offers Queensland-based emerging artists the opportunity to exhibit their work in the gallery space at Festival House, Fortitude Valley. Open to Flying Arts Alliance members only.
Applications close 29 August.
COMISSION
boorda yeyi Immersive Arts Commission offers Australian artists working at the intersection of contemporary art and technology up to $75,000 to create ambitious immersive work premiering at PICA in 2026 and touring WA.
Applications close 18 August
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT: Critical Light 2025
ARTIST RESIDENCY: ANAT Synapse residency program
WEBINAR: Interactive Digital Art in an Environmental Era with Leah Barclay
CREATIVE FELLOWSHIPS: Sidney Myer Creative Fellowships
PUBLIC ART: City of Moreton Bay Outdoor Gallery
ART PRIZE: Hornsby Art Prize 2025
COMPETITION: Adelaide Fringe 2026 poster competition
WORKSHOP: Coolamon + Dilly Bag gathering with Aunty Dinnawhan
ARTIST RESIDENCY: Self-directed Residencies at CAMP
EVENT
Skywhales Across Australia invites Sunshine Coast audiences to experience Patricia Piccinini’s monumental hot-air balloon sculptures in a dawn flight over UniSC. An in-person artist talk will be held on 16 August. Registrations essential.
CIRCUS
Duck Pond | Circa reimagines Swan Lake as a riotous circus spectacular, blending acrobatics, aerials and humour in a dazzling tale of swans, princes and identity at The Events Centre, Caloundra.
6 September
EXHIBITION
A Bit Extra invites art lovers to experience local artist, Odessa Mahony-de Vries’ bold abstract exhibition exploring excess and joy through canvas, sculpture and space at Gympie Regional Gallery.
Exhibition: 14 August – 2 October
EXHIBITION: Sunshine Coast National Art Prize 2025
THEATRE: Petrol & Repairs by Ben Burns
EXHIBITION: Reciprocity - UniSC Art Gallery
EXHIBITION OPENING: Earth Refuge and talk
Image credits (from top): Jude Roberts, Collaborative night projections/ installation facilitated by Marian Drew and performance by Vernessa Fien, 2024; Photo by Andi Crown. Image courtesy of Amie Moffat; Image courtesy of Blakdance; Image courtesy of Flying Arts Alliance; Image courtesy of PICA; Image courtesy of Horizon Festival and Sunshine Coast Council; Photo by Damien Bredberg. Image courtesy of The Events Centre; Image courtesy of Odessa Mahoney-de Vries.
The Guide is your essential source for information on opportunities, grants,
events, and professional development programs for creatives.
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