Gallery hours

• Wednesday - Sunday | 10.30am - 3.30pm
• Closed Monday, Tuesday and public holidays

Admission is free.

Location 

Crows Nest Gallery is located on New England Highway and William St, Crows Nest, Qld. Open in Google maps. 

Housed in the charming former Crows Nest Shire Council building, the Gallery is part of a small cultural hub with the John French (VC) Memorial Library that services the town. Entry to the Gallery is via four front stairs at the corner of New England Highway and William St.

Access

Parking is available in nearby off-street car parks.

The Gallery is wheelchair and pram accessible via a ramp at the back of the building and toilet facilities are located inside the gallery. There is a disabled bathroom available in Centenary Park across the road from the gallery.

Phone:  (07) 4698 1687

Email: crowsnestart@tr.qld.gov.au

Instagram: @trartgalleries

Post:

Crows Nest Gallery
PO Box 3021
Toowoomba QLD 4350

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Current exhibition

The Body Vessel: Desire – Aurora Elwell

8 January - 9 February 2025

The Body Vessel: Desire features ceramic vessels by Aurora Elwell, exploring the complex nature of desire. Through her work, Elwell examines longing as a force that captivates, confounds and reveals the deeper emotions and vulnerabilities of human experience.

This project was made possible by the Australian Government's Regional Arts Fund, provided through Regional Arts Australia, administered in Queensland by Flying Arts Alliance.

Follow us on Instagram @trartgalleries.

Upcoming exhibition

Contemplations of Reproduction

12 February – 9 March 2025

Drawing on themes of materiality, process, repetition, biology and personal narratives, artists Vivien Bedwell, Renee Kire, Clare Poppi, Hannaneh Qiumarsi, Katie Stormonth and Rebekah Walkarden explore differing perspectives of ‘reproduction’ through a variety of mediums from contemporary wearable pieces to small sculptural objects.

Toowoomba Region Art Galleries offer a professional and friendly opportunity to showcase high calibre works to audiences visiting our galleries in the Toowoomba Region, promotion through our channels and a chance to connect directly with patrons through a related public program.

For your exhibition to be considered by our assessment team, we require a professional and complete application submitted by the due date ensuring you complete all sections of the application and upload all required files. Before applying, please read General Exhibition Guidelines in the Terms and Conditions. Please note that the application sections are provided for your application preparation only.

To apply, please complete the exhibition call out entry form no later than 5pm Sunday 3 November.

Information required for online submission:

• Basic contact details
• Up to 10 x high resolution images of your artwork (jpeg no more than 2MB at 300dpi)
• Image details should be formatted: Artist /Title Year / Medium / Dimensions (Height x Width x Depth) Value (for insurance purposes)
• Artwork statement of up to 70 words for each work submitted
• Installation requirements

Further information

If you have any questions, please contact the Gallery team on 07 4698 1687 or email crowsnestart@tr.qld.gov.au

General exhibition guidelines

Toowoomba Region Art Galleries welcomes applications from artists, designers, curators, arts/crafts groups, cultural groups and community members and organisations seeking to present new and original work in our two regional galleries. When identifying your preferred exhibition date/s please be aware that the Art Galleries plan the exhibition programs up to two years in advance.

A gallery panel will consider applications received by the due date, and all applicants will be notified in writing as to the outcome of their application. When assessing applications, the panel assess how the proposal addresses the assessment criteria:

• Relevance to the community
• Relevance to contemporary and/or historical art practice
• Potential for additional programming in relation to proposals
• Projects that build cultural capacity

All applications will be kept on file for a period of 12 months.

Toowoomba Region Art Galleries reserve the right to decline works, exhibition proposals and submissions.

Conditions for successful applicants

Successful applicants receive a project agreement letter, and Participants enter a formal agreement with Toowoomba Region Art Galleries. For groups of two or more, an authorised representative of the group is required to act on behalf of the group in all matters pertaining to the project. Participants must attend regular progress meetings from the time of acceptance and maintaining regular contact with the selected Gallery.

Curatorial decision

The design of the exhibition is a collaborative process between the Participant and the Gallery Officer. However, the Art Galleries Team retains the indisputable right to exercise curatorial discretion to change, deny or remove any work of art, signage, or wording if deemed inappropriate, unsuitable, poorly presented, or occasioning concern or risk to the general public. Participants will be informed of this decision and the reasons why verbally or by email.

Publicity and promotions

The Art Galleries Team is responsible for the creation of all exhibition collateral for promotional use across multiple communication channels. This may include newspaper ads, flyers, posters, newsletter, media releases as well as social media tiles, digital flyers and invitations, event register, council website etc. Participants are responsible for providing written information about the exhibition and providing a selection of high-resolution images and descriptions of artworks that will be used in the above promotional opportunities.

Exhibition

Gallery exhibitions at Crows Nest Gallery and Rosalie Gallery run for a maximum of 4 weeks. All work exhibited must be original, bona fide works, completed by the exhibiting artist and have not been copied (from other artists’ works). Work is to be completed within the previous 2 years and not have been previously exhibited within the Toowoomba Region in the 2-year period prior to the exhibition, though retrospective exhibitions are exempt from this requirement.

Exhibitions will be open to the public during current Gallery hours of Wednesday to Sunday 10.30am to 3.30pm and closed all public holidays. Any variation to these hours is at the sole discretion of Council and will be listed on the Council’s website and prominently displayed at the Gallery entrance.

Installation and demount

Artworks will need to adhere to the Gallery’s hanging requirements and details of the Gallery’s requirements will be provided to successful applicants. The Participant is responsible for cost and provision of exhibition consumables, special installation fixings and artwork preparation to meet the Gallery’s hanging requirements. The Art Galleries Team is responsible for installation of the exhibition including standard artwork labels, signage, hanging system and where available, exhibition furniture.

Photography

Toowoomba Region Art Galleries allow casual photography for the purpose of an individuals’ visitor experience. Flash photography and tripod or monopod (selfie-stick) are not permitted. Participants can request if they do not want gallery visitors to photograph their work as part of their visitor experience.

Public programs

The Gallery encourages Participants to host a public program i.e.: Meet the Artists Day, Demonstration, Workshop, Artist Talk etc. Details of the most suitable public program opportunity will be determined collaboratively between the relevant Gallery Officer and the Participant, with dates and times determined via negotiation. All Workshops require the Participant to have relevant public liability insurance and any associated events held during Gallery hours will require Council’s prior written approval. No charges for staffing and security of the Gallery will be incurred for Public Programs or Council approved associated events.

Insurance

Art works while in the Gallery and in transit to and from the Gallery, are and continue to be at the Participants’ own risk. No art works will be covered by Council’s insurance while in the Gallery or in transit to and from the Gallery. While Gallery security is monitored, Gallery team members, volunteers and Council accept no liability for any damage to, loss or theft of any art works or Participants’ property except to the extent that the cause of the damage, loss or theft was due to the negligence of the Gallery.

Fees and costs

The Gallery charges a fee to exhibit – please see Council’s Fees and Charges for details. Selected Participants will be required to sign a ‘Project Agreement’ and pay the fee within five (5) Business Days of notification from Toowoomba Regional Council. The cost is payable in full and is generally non-refundable.

Sales

A Gallery sales commission of 25% (+ GST) will be charged on all art works sold on consignment on behalf of the Participant(s) during the project. Terms and Conditions pertaining to the sales of art works exhibited are provided to successful applicants.

Privacy

Collection Notice: By making an application, you acknowledge that Toowoomba Regional Council is collecting your personal information for the purposes of processing your application and for remaining in contact with you. Your personal information will be accessed by persons authorised to do so and will be handled in accordance with the Information Privacy Act 2009 (Qld). For more information on our Privacy Policy, please see Privacy (http://www.tr.qld.gov.au/privacy).

Crows Nest Gallery provides an intimate space for artists to explore new ideas through solo exhibitions and small group shows.

• Crows Nest Gallery provides 25.7 linear metres of wall hanging space (Main Gallery: 24.7m and Foyer Gallery 1m) and is equipped with museum-standard lighting and hanging systems.

We welcome visits by groups and can offer free guided tours.

Bookings are essential for all group visits. We encourage organisers to book at least two weeks ahead.

Bookings can be made by completing our art gallery booking request.

We offer free guided or self-guided general Gallery tours for school groups and educators. Bookings are essential and educators are encouraged to book at least two weeks ahead.

We cater for students from pre-prep to tertiary level, home-schooled and school groups of any year level with a range of interests, providing opportunities to engage with our exhibitions..

We encourage enquiries from educators who would like a tailored visit to suit their program. Delivery can be flexible, so if you have an idea or wish to book a tour, please let us know your excursion requirements.

How to book

Complete our online art gallery booking request and a Gallery team member will be in touch to discuss your visit.