ARTIST INFO
The Incognito Art Show is made possible by our amazing community of artists that donate artworks. We are very grateful for the contributions of every participating artist.
KEY DATES
Artist registration closes: 12 May 2024
Artworks due: Friday 14 June 2024
In-person sale: 13-14 July 2024, (410 Oxford St, Paddington, NSW 2021)
Online sale: Soon after conclusion of in-person sale
WHO CAN BE AN ARTIST?
EVERYONE is welcome to participate as an artist in the Incognito Art Show, regardless of experience and age. International artists are welcome too.
HOW DO ARTISTS SIGN UP TO PARTICIPATE?
Our artist registrations is still open, register here.
* If you require multiple artist packs for a school, studio, etc. please contact aurelia@incognitoartshow.com
WHAT DOES THE ARTIST DO?
Once you are registered, we will ship an artist pack to your mailing address. This artist pack will include an information sheet with instructions, and three A5 artwork cards for you to make your original artworks on. Once you have made your artworks and filled in the artwork details form, you ship the artworks back in the supplied return envelope.
*Please note: International artists will receive a digital artist pack to ensure sufficient return delivery time allowance.
The return mailing address for artworks is:
PO BOX K318, Haymarket, Sydney, NSW, 1240
HOW ARE ARTWORKS EXHIBITED?
We display all artworks online on our website after registration closes. We also display as many artworks as we can in our in-person venue that hosts our sale days. With the volume we expect this year, not all artworks will be displayed physically.
WHAT TYPE OF ARTWORKS ARE ACCEPTED?
Feel free to use any technique, medium, or subject matter. We love the variety! As long as the artwork is original and is made on, or adhered to the supplied artwork card (A5 in size).
CAN I USE MY OWN PAPER / ALTERNATIVE SUBSTRATE?
Yes! As long as the artwork is A5 in size, and adhered to the supplied artwork card. e.g. This means you can paint on canvas and then stick it to the card.
ARE SCULPTURES ACCEPTED?
Absolutely! Sculptures should be approximately the size of a closed fist, or smaller.
CAN I SIGN THE ARTWORK?
You can NOT sign the front of the artwork with any identifying signatures, names etc. We may not include these artworks in the show.
WILL I GET NOTIFIED WHEN YOU RECEIVE MY RETURNED ARTWORK?
Unfortunately, we are unable to notify individual artists when we receive artworks. Artists may choose to add tracking to their return envelope at the post office.
WHAT HAPPENS TO UNSOLD ARTWORKS?
We hold onto unsold artworks and include them in the following year’s show. Unfortunately, we do not have the capacity to return artworks.
DO ARTISTS RECEIVE ANY PAYMENT?
All artworks contributed to the show are donations. In 2024, the profits will go towards funding programs at Studio A and We Are Studios, both organisations that support professional development for artists living with disability.
If contributing artwork to the Incognito Art Show will compromise your income or have a negative effect on your finances, we ask you to support us in other ways, for example following and engaging with our social media pages. We are grateful for all forms of support! We don’t want any artists to contribute that don’t have the means to.
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE SALE PERIOD IS OVER?
THE BIG REVEAL! We reveal all artworks’ artists… that means if your name is John Smith and your artwork was number 554, then once we do the big reveal, it’ll then be named ‘John Smith’. We will also promote the artwork and tag you on our instagram page. We do this to promote you as an artist and build your audience.
Want to participate as an Artist? Sign up here for updates.
Want to buy artworks? Sign up here for updates.
WHAT IS THE INCOGNITO ART SHOW?
The Incognito Art Show is a not-for-profit organisation supporting Australian artists. We run Australia’s biggest and most inclusive art show.
The Incognito Art Show isn’t an ordinary art sale. Every piece of artwork (A5 in size), regardless of artist, is sold for just $100.
THE TWIST?
The identity of an artwork’s artist will remain anonymous at all times. Only once an artwork is bought, will the artist’s name be revealed to the buyer on the back of the artwork.
Profits raised will go towards funding programs that support artists working with disabilities.
The show’s unique model provides greater access to art-buying for those without the usual means to do so, as well as democratises art selection; buyers buy what they truly love, not a big name.
Got questions? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions page here.
WHY WE STARTED THE INCOGNITO ART SHOW BACK IN 2021.
Because Art matters.
When asked why he didn’t cut funding to the arts in order to support the war effort in World War II, Churchill responded,
“THEN WHAT WOULD WE BE FIGHTING FOR?”
– (With proper research we now realise this quote has many times been misattributed to Winston Churchill, but we still like it.)
INCOGNITO’S 3 KEY IMPACT GOALS ARE:
- To financially support arts organisations with the donation of profits
- To provide emerging artists the opportunity to become professional artists
- To inspire and develop a new generation of art collectors and supporters
WHY IS THE INCOGNITO ART SHOW NEEDED?
The arts is an under-supported sector of the economy despite;
- 255,800 people are employed in the arts (ABS 2023)
- Cultural and creative activities contributed $122.3 billion to the economy in FY19–20 (Australian Government 2022).
Yet, federal spending toward arts and cultural heritage is estimated to decrease by 13.1% in real terms from 2022–23 to 2025–26 (APH 2022).
COVID-19 EXACERBATED THESE PROBLEMS;
- In Feb 2021, about 45% of all employees in the arts were in casual roles without access to basic entitlements including holiday, sick leave and superannuation.
- Even with JobKeeper, wages in the sector declined by an average $1,525 a week in November 2019 to $1,464 in November 2020.
- An Incognito survey in 2021 found that 1 in 3 artists’ ability to exhibit was reduced or lost during the COVID-19 crisis, causing financial loss.