Calling All SA Artists: Registrations are now open for the 2026 SALA Festival!
South Australia’s biggest celebration of visual art is back with registrations open for the 2026 South Australian Living Artists (SALA) Festival. Running from 1 – 31 August, SALA Festival is the largest open-access visual arts festival in the Southern Hemisphere, inviting artists of all ages, working in all mediums and experience levels to exhibit their work right across the state.
From established practitioners to first-time exhibitors, SALA offers a unique opportunity to connect with audiences and fellow creatives. Galleries, cafés, studios, shopfronts, public spaces—and even living rooms—become part of a vibrant, statewide exhibition trail throughout August.
How It Works
Get in early to register your SALA exhibition, open studio or art event before midnight on Wednesday 8 April 2026 and you’ll receive a discount on the cost of registering. You don’t need to have your artwork finished, just the event details confirmed and an image of your art (can be a close up of part of your work). Registrations close midnight on Wednesday May 6.https://www.salafestival.com/participation/
Artists and venues can register online, and those looking for a space (or offering one) can find each other on the SALA Noticeboard and get in contact. It’s a fantastic way to turn unexpected locations into art destinations and bring visual art into every corner of the community.
SALA welcomes exhibitions and activities in-person or online. The only requirements? You must identify as South Australian, and be holding your exhibition somewhere in South Australia, at sometime during August. Beyond that, the possibilities are wide open.
Bridget Alfred, CEO of SALA, says:
“South Australia has the most extraordinary ecosystem of highly talented artists, and SALA Festival invites all South Australian visual artists to find their audience and become part of this incredible community.
Artists are often working away in their studios, galleries or homes, away from the public eye. SALA provides a stage for these artists, from first time exhibitors to seasoned professionals and allows audiences to see the talent that exists right here in their own backyard.
The open-access nature of SALA Festival means anywhere can be a venue, no exhibition or event is too large or too small and we can meet and experience the rich vein of the diverse talent and creative community that underpins what is uniquely South Australian.”
Awards & Opportunities
Registered artists can also apply for a range of prestigious awards with cash prizes and professional development opportunities:
- Country Arts Breaking Ground Award ($10,000 to develop a body of work for solo exhibition at Murray Bridge Regional Gallery during the 2027 SALA Festival + $5000 mentorship opportunity and more): This award sets out to elevate and accelerate the careers of South Australian regional visual artists.
- The City of Adelaide Award ($5,000): For artists exhibiting in any medium within Adelaide or North Adelaide whose work connects to the city.
- The Advertiser Contemporary Art Award ($5,000): For the most outstanding contemporary artwork in any medium in the Festival.
- City Rural Emerging Artist Award ($2,500): For artists in the early stages of their career with under five years’ professional experience.
- Inspiring SA Science in Art Award ($2,500): For artists whose work explores / engages with science, technology, engineering, maths or medicine (STEMM) or STEMM-related issues.
- City of Unley Active Ageing Award ($2,000): For artists over the age of 60, prize includes an exhibition space in Unley for SALA 2027.
- Don Dunstan Foundation Award ($2,000): For artists whose work honours the legacy of Don Dunstan and/or engages with the values of the Don Dunstan Foundation, including homelessness, climate justice, Aboriginal empowerment and reconciliation; democracy; and Don Dunstan’s legacy.
- SALA In Lights Award aims to illuminate the work of a South Australian visual artist in the 2026 Festival. The winner’s artwork will be the subject of an after-dark projection on a prominent wall in the CBD during the 2027 SALA Festival with the support of Novatech (valued at $10,000+). The winner will also receive $2,500 prizemoney from Foodland, a further $2,500 loaded onto a Foodland in-store Credit Card, and their artwork digitally displayed in Foodland Stores across South Australia in SALA Festival 2027.
- Whittles Body Corporate Management Services Venue Award ($2,000 for a metropolitan venue and $2,000 for a regional venue): For venues that exceed expectations in supporting artists exhibiting during SALA Festival 2026.
- Guildhouse Artist’s Choice Award ($1,500 plus a Guildhouse membership total value $1855): Artists of any medium, age or skill level are invited to vote for the SALA Award finalist whose artwork impressed them the most during the 2026SALA Festival. Along with the cash prize, the winner will receive a 12 month Guildhouse Accredited membership.
- Centennial Park Sculpture Exhibition (Five artists will each receive $360): Centennial Park will choose five outdoor sculpture works to include in their 2026 ‘SALA in the Park’ exhibition.
SALA 2026 runs from August 1–31. Register now and be part of a truly state-wide celebration of visual art!
Visit www.salafestival.com for full details, award criteria and registration information.
