The 2026 NSW Visual Arts Fellowship Exhibition at Artspace Sydney celebrates emerging artists, with Amelia Skelton announced as the 2026 Fellowship recipient.
Sydney's harbour edge has long been a place where history and contemporary culture quietly meet. In Woolloomooloo, the restored industrial buildings of The Gunnery carry traces of the city's working past, yet within their walls they now provide space for some of Australia's most compelling contemporary art. Visitors arrive from the busy streets outside and step into galleries where silence, light and careful observation replace the pace of everyday life.
This season, that atmosphere will frame the 2026 NSW Visual Arts Fellowship Exhibition, an annual showcase that continues one of New South Wales' most enduring traditions of supporting emerging artists. Presented at Artspace Sydney, the exhibition brings together the work of six outstanding finalists while celebrating the announcement of Amelia Skelton as the recipient of the 2026 NSW Visual Arts Fellowship (Emerging).
Open to the public with free admission until 6 September 2026, the exhibition offers more than a collection of artworks. It becomes an opportunity to witness the ideas, questions and creative directions shaping a new generation of Australian contemporary art.
The 2026 NSW Visual Arts Fellowship Continues A Long Tradition
The 2026 NSW Visual Arts Fellowship forms part of a program whose history stretches back more than a century.
Originally established in 1900, the Fellowship has become one of Australia's most respected opportunities for emerging visual artists. Developed and curated by Artspace Sydney in partnership with the NSW Government through Create NSW, the program provides both recognition and meaningful professional support at an important stage of an artist's career.
Unlike many awards that conclude with a single announcement, the Fellowship places equal importance on the exhibition itself. Every finalist contributes to a broader conversation, allowing audiences to encounter a range of artistic practices within one thoughtfully curated exhibition.
That emphasis on process, experimentation and dialogue continues to define the 2026 NSW Visual Arts Fellowship.
Amelia Skelton Leads The 2026 NSW Visual Arts Fellowship
At the exhibition opening, Amelia Skelton was announced as the recipient of the 2026 NSW Visual Arts Fellowship (Emerging).
Selected from an accomplished shortlist including Virginia Keft, Charles Levi, Tia Madden, Sue Jo Wright, and collaborative duo Natasha Dubler and Caitlin Dubler, Skelton will receive the Fellowship's $30,000 award to undertake a twelve-month self-directed program of professional development.
The selection followed assessment by an independent panel of respected arts professionals, reflecting the Fellowship's long-standing commitment to peer recognition and artistic excellence.
While the Fellowship acknowledges one recipient, the exhibition itself celebrates the strength and diversity of every finalist, recognising that contemporary artistic practice flourishes through a wide range of perspectives rather than a single creative voice.
The 2026 NSW Visual Arts Fellowship Exhibition At Artspace
Curated by Josephine Skinner and Eleni Vergotis, the 2026 NSW Visual Arts Fellowship Exhibition transforms Artspace into a sequence of individual yet interconnected experiences.
Each gallery encourages visitors to slow their pace, allowing artworks to reveal themselves gradually through texture, material, scale and careful observation. Rather than presenting a single theme, the exhibition reflects the breadth of contemporary practice across New South Wales, with artists exploring personal histories, cultural identity, social questions and imaginative possibilities.
There is space here for contemplation as much as conversation.
As audiences move between rooms inside The Gunnery, the building itself becomes part of the experience. Natural light, exposed architectural elements and generous gallery spaces create an environment where artworks can be encountered without distraction.
The result is an exhibition that rewards time and curiosity.
Emerging Artists Shape The Future Of Contemporary Art
The significance of the 2026 NSW Visual Arts Fellowship extends well beyond this year's exhibition.
For decades, the Fellowship has provided a foundation for artists whose practices have continued to evolve nationally and internationally. Recent recipients including Ali Tahayori, Gillian Kayrooz, Morgan Hogg, Eddie Abd, and Dennis Golding demonstrate the program's role as a meaningful stepping stone within Australia's contemporary arts landscape.
By supporting artists during the early stages of professional development, the Fellowship helps create opportunities for experimentation, mentorship and long-term creative growth.
In doing so, it also invites audiences to engage with ideas that may shape the future direction of Australian visual culture.
Planning Your Visit To The 2026 NSW Visual Arts Fellowship
The 2026 NSW Visual Arts Fellowship Exhibition is currently on display at Artspace Sydney, located within The Gunnery, Woolloomooloo.
The exhibition will remain open with free admission until 6 September 2026, welcoming visitors to explore the work of all Fellowship finalists at their own pace.
The exhibition is presented by Artspace in partnership with Create NSW, with curatorial leadership from Josephine Skinner and Eleni Vergotis.
Visitors are encouraged to check the official Artspace website for opening hours, visitor information and exhibition updates before planning their visit.
Applications for the 2027 NSW Visual Arts Fellowship (Emerging) will open from 27 July to 14 September 2026, continuing the Fellowship's long-standing commitment to supporting the next generation of artists.
Event Details
Artspace Sydney, The Gunnery, Woolloomooloo
On display until 6 September 2026
Free Admission
Explore thought-provoking contemporary artworks and experience one of New South Wales' most respected exhibitions celebrating emerging artists.
Official information: https://www.create.nsw.gov.au/news-and-publications/news/announcing-amelia-skelton-as-the-recipient-of-the-2026-nsw-visual-arts-fellowship-emerging/