2027 Judy Wheeler Commission — Call Out for Australian Visual Artists

The Judy Wheeler Commission is an annual site-specific commissioning programme at PICA (Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts), established in memory of Judy Wheeler and generously supported by the Simpson Family. Now entering its fifth year, the programme invites Australia-based artists aged 18 and over — at any stage of their career — to propose a new work that responds physically or conceptually to the architecture and history of PICA's building.

The commission is valued at $30,000 and includes a $10,000 artist fee (inclusive of superannuation), $10,000 toward development and production expenses, and a contribution toward travel costs including airfares, accommodation, and an honorarium. The selected artist will receive curatorial and installation support from PICA's team and their work will be presented as part of PICA's 2027 programme, installed for up to one year.

Artists are encouraged to think boldly and experimentally, proposing works for the spaces PICA visitors move through — including the entrance lobby, foyer, stairwells, balcony mezzanine, hallways, and windows (gallery spaces are excluded). The proposed work must be new and created specifically for the commission; it cannot have been previously presented.

Applicants working across all mediums are welcome, including painting, sculpture, sound, video, and more. Collectives may also apply, though the $10,000 artist fee remains fixed and must be shared among members. Artists do not need to be based in Western Australia — applications are open to artists from all states and territories.

The 2027 selection panel includes Alix Beattie (Senior Curator, ECU), Ilona McGuire (Kungarakan and Noongar Artist), and Georgia Hayward (Curator, PICA).

Applications should include an artwork proposal (concept, materials, location, and how the work meets the commission objectives), a budget, timeline, artist CV (max 2 x A4 pages), visual presentation of the proposed work (max 5 images), and examples of relevant existing work (max 5 images). Applications can be submitted via the online expression of interest form or by emailing a completed Word document template to Lizzy Doepel at elizabeth.doepel@pica.org.au.

Online information meetings are available on 18 and 19 May 2026 — a great opportunity to ask questions and talk through your proposal with PICA's Exhibitions Manager before the deadline. Applicants are also encouraged to reference any cultural partnerships or consultation with First Nations communities they intend to undertake as part of their work.

PICA is committed to access. If you have any access requirements that would support you to apply, please reach out to Lizzy Doepel at (08) 9228 6300 or elizabeth.doepel@pica.org.au. Access conversations are voluntary and kept separate from artistic assessment.

Previous recipients include Jen Berean & James Carey (2026), Amanda Bell (2025), Diana Baker Smith (2024), and Elizabeth Willing (2023).