Opportunities

IAS Community Gallery is committed to showcasing the work of local artists and is open to exhibition expressions of interest from a range of practitioners through our Open Call programmes.

We run three Open Call Exhibition opportunities per year, with information for each included below.

• Closing 27 April. 2026 Next Generation Artist's Showcase, for young artists in years 11-13 of high school. 
• Closing 27 September. 2027 IAS Community Gallery Exhibition Programme. Open to all artists. 
• Closing 27 November, 2 pm:  2026 IAS Annual Exhibition for Inverlochy Art School students, tutors and studio artists. 

For images and dimensions of our gallery space, see here.

1. Next generation artist's showcase

Year 11 - Year 13 Highschool Students are invited to apply to the Next Generation Artists exhibition at Inverlochy Art School over
28 July - 23 August, 2026.

All forms of art expression are welcome.

Successful artists will, receive exhibition support, a $50 Gordon Harris voucher and free tuition in an Inverlochy Art School Workshop.

Applying artists must be available for:

• an exhibition planning workshop on Sunday 28 June
• exhibition install at a time tbc on Sunday 26 July.
• Young Artist’s Open Day, Sunday 23 August.

How to Apply

Send up to three images of your artwork from the past two years to [email protected] by no later than 11:59 pm, Sunday 10 May.

Queries are welcome. Contact [email protected] or (04) 939 2177.

For information on last year's Next Generation showcase, see article 'Next Generation Artist's Showcase 2025' and view documentation or their exhibition 'In our minds and where we are', here.

Image: Suji Son, installation view, Young Artists Showcase, IAS Community Gallery, 2024.

2. 2027 open call

Inverlochy Art School welcomes proposals from emerging artists to exhibit their work in the library, foyer and stairwell of our beautiful heritage house and community art school.

The intent of this open exhibition call is to give a platform for practicing artists to share their work with new audiences; present new work and gain experience in creating an art exhibition. We are seeking applications from committed and professionally minded individuals. Previous exhibition experience is not necessary.

Exhibitions are for approximately three weeks, and between February - November 2027.

We welcome proposals reflecting a variety of art forms and backgrounds and encourage applications from mana whenua of Te Whanganui-a-Tara.
 

How to Apply

Please submit a PDF proposal with a brief description of your proposed artwork, how you envisage displaying it in our space and up to five images of your artwork.

We welcome proposals at any time. Our 2026 exhibition schedule is full. To be considered for our 2027 programme send your proposals to: [email protected] by no later than 11:59 pm, Sunday 27 September.

Queries are welcome. Contact [email protected] or (04) 939 2177.

Image: Michaelanne Forster, installation view, Four Windows: To and From, IAS Community Gallery, 2024.

3. ias annual exhibition

Students, tutors, friends and artists of Inverlochy Art School are all invited to exhibit their work in the school's Annual Exhibition, held at the end of each year.

The exhibition is not themed welcoming all types, genres & styles and will showcase the incredible range of artistic practices supported by our school.

Each artist can contribute up to two pieces. Pottery students can submit one piece for $10 and up to five pieces for a total of $20. All funds raised cover exhibition celebration events, with any leftover directly contributing to the running and maintenance of our community art school. 

The 2026 exhibition will be held at Inverlochy Art School over 5 - 13 December 2026. All exhibited works will be eligible for the People’s Choice award.  

How to apply:

• 2026 entries will open on 17 October via a tab called 'Inverlochy 2026 Exhibition Entry form', found on the Workshops and Events section of our website. 
• Enter by filling in your artwork details on the linked form and pay your entry fee via the 'book now' button at the top of the page.
• Deliver your artwork to the school during office hours, 10 am - 2 pm between 23 - 27 November 2026.
• Bring your friends and whānau in to view your work over 5-13 December & celebrate with us at the exhibition closing and announcement of 2026 People's Choice Award on Friday 13 December from 5-7 pm. 

Image: 2025 Annual Exhibition installation view. Artwork featured by (left to right): David Burger, Glynn Woodbury, Christine Massey & Simon Chin.