Strand Ephemera 2027

Townsville City Council acknowledges the Wulgurukaba of Gurambilbarra and Yunbenun, Bindal, Gugu Badhun and Nywaigi as the Traditional Owners of this land. We pay our respects to their cultures, their ancestors and their Elders – past and present – and all future generations.

Strand Ephemera is the North’s leading temporary public art festival. Now in its 14th iteration, this beloved and highly anticipated biennial event attracts local, national and international audiences to Townsville-Gurambilbarra’s iconic location, The Strand.

Strand Ephemera 2027 invites artists to create works that inspire imagination through our stories. Celebrating the power of storytelling; transforming personal and collective Queensland narratives into bold, contemporary expressions that spark imagination and wonder.

Selected competitive works will be on display along Townsville’s picturesque 2km beachfront – The Strand – from 24 July to 8 August 2027. These will be exhibited alongside a selection of invited public artworks.

Strand Ephemera is organised by Townsville City Council, with a volunteer task force assisting in the program delivery.

Artists are invited to complete this online application to submit artwork concepts, works in progress or completed works for consideration in Strand Ephemera 2027.

Applications must be submitted online using the SmartyGrants platform, prior to

10am AEST Tuesday, 3 November 2026.

Applications submitted in hard copy format or via email will not be accepted.

If your application is successful, it will then form the contractual agreement between the Artist and Townsville City Council, ABN 44 741 992 072, and both parties will be bound by the terms included.

Participation in the Competition confirms acceptance of the Terms and Conditions by the Entrant (Artist).

You can view the terms & conditions here

Entries close: 10am AEST Tuesday, 3 November 2026

Successful applicants notified: 5pm AEST Thursday 26 November 2026

Behind the scene video and Catalogue Images: 10am AEST Thursday, 1 April 2027

Compulsory WHS Contractor Management System Registration (online): prior to Thursday 1 April 2027

Installation Dates: Monday 19 July – Thursday 22 July 2027

Artist Meet and Greet: Friday 23 July 2027

Judging: Friday 24 July 2027

Exhibition Dates: Saturday 24 July – Sunday 8 August 2027

VIP launch: PM Saturday 24 July 2027

Artist Walking Tour: AM Saturday 24 July 2027

De-install: Monday 9 August 2027

• $10,000 Artistic Excellence Award
• $1,000 Young Artistic Excellence Award
• $1,000 Environmental Advocate Award
• $1,000 People’s Choice Award
• $5,000 Artist Fee* payable to successful Open Artist Category entries
• $500 Artist Fee* payable to successful Young Artist Category entries

*Artist Fee is intended to support Artist/s in the creation and exhibition of their works, however, is not intended to cover all costs incurred by the Artist/s.

All applicants must agree to pay the non-refundable administration fee of $40.00 AUD per entry. Payment can be made online via ephemera-tsv.com.au, by credit card over the phone by calling Townsville Civic Theatre (07) 4727 9797, or in person at the TicketShop Box Office, Townsville Civic Theatre, 41. Townsville Civic Theatre TicketShop is open 9am – 5pm, Monday to Friday (closed weekends and Public Holidays).

Visa and Mastercard is accepted. American Express is not accepted.

Please reference the SmartyGrants Strand Ephemera application number when paying and a receipt will be issued for payment that should be kept for future verification of payment. Payment is required before 10AM AEST Tuesday 3 November 2026.

Failure to make payment by the due date will result in this application being rejected from entry.

An Artist may enter as many as three (3) proposals for pre-selection, but each entry must be accompanied by a separate SmartyGrants entry form and administration fee with all relevant support material.

This year’s theme: Inspire imagination through our stories - encourages artists to create artwork that sparks imagination and wonder, inviting artists to celebrate Queensland’s unique stories and transform them into bold, contemporary expressions. Creating powerful moments of connection with a lasting sense of inspiration long after the encounter. 

In developing proposals, Artists are asked to consider:

• The site along The Strand, Townsville-Gurambilbarra, for which the work is intended
• The scale of the artwork, with large-scale works strongly encouraged
• How the work will be viewed 24/7 (including during day and night-time hours, inclusive of a lighting plan)
• Environmental and sustainable arts practice in creating and exhibiting the artwork
• Artwork and materials that support the theme: Inspire imagination through our stories

If you have any questions while completing your application form, you can contact Townsville City Galleries by phone at either Perc Tucker Regional Gallery (07) 4773 8871, or Pinnacles Gallery on (07) 4773 8871 or via email at galleries@townsville.qld.gov.au

Townsville City Council collects and manages personal information in the course of performing its activities, functions and duties. We respect the privacy of the personal information held by us. The way in which Council manages personal information is governed by the Information Privacy Act 2009 (Qld).

We are collecting your personal information in accordance with the Local Government Act 2009 and Local Government Regulation 2012 for the purpose of administering Townsville City Council’s Strand Ephemera 2027.

Generally, we will not disclose your personal information outside of Council unless we are required to do so by law, or unless you have given us your consent to such disclosure. However, in performing the above functions, we may need to disclose your personal information to external Selection Panel members engaged by Council.

By entering this competition, you consent to Council displaying your Artist Name, Artist Statement and Artwork Details on promotional materials, both physical and online.

Where you have opted in to receive future communications, your contact details may be used by Council to provide information about future Strand Ephemera events and related opportunities. These communications will only be sent where you have provided your consent, and you may opt out at any time.

For further details about how we manage your personal information, including how to access or correct your information, please refer to Council’s Information Privacy Policy.