A decade on from its last iteration, the commissioning platform at the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art (ACCA) titled ‘NEW’ is being revitalised this September in a biennial format.

Seven emerging artists have been selected from across Australia to create new site-specific works for the exhibition, which will run at ACCA from Friday 18 September to Sunday 22 November 2026.

The artists include Amanda Bell, Amanda Bennetts, Nicholas Currie, Naveed Farro, Caesar Florence-Howard, Diego Ramírez and EJ Son, all chosen to represent the diversity and breadth of artistic practice throughout the country. Between them, their work spans painting, moving image, ceramics, sound, installation, writing and architectural intervention.

Collectively, the NEW26 cohort engages with some of the defining questions of modern life and art, including the accelerating influence of technology and AI, identity and subjectivity, the ongoing legacies of colonialism, and the role and responsibility of cultural institutions.

“Supporting emerging artists, and those at pivotal points in their practice, to take risks and shape the cultural conversation, has always been central to ACCA’s purpose, and has never been more vital to the sector,” says Myles Russell-Cook, ACCA artistic director and CEO. “Artists are always ahead of the curve when it comes to reading where culture is headed, and I’m delighted to bring back this significant series at a time when backing bold early-career work matters more than ever.”

Building on a legacy of championing emerging artists

Originally presented from 2003 to 2016, NEW was an important platform for early-career artists, providing space within a major public institution where artists could experiment, take risks and create significant new work. During its initial 13-year run, the series involved more than 100 artists, 75 writers and 10 guest curators, with alumni including the likes of Fiona Connor, Destiny Deacon, Alicia Frankovich, Marco Fusinato, Angelica Mesiti, Kate Newby and Darren Sylvester. Many artists went on to achieve major recognition for their work, including representing Australia at the Venice Biennale, and presenting blockbuster institutional exhibitions.

Curators Dr Shelley McSpedden and Sophie Prince say: “NEW26 presents the work of seven outstanding artists from around Australia, who are at the forefront of contemporary art practice. Through their work, this exhibition captures the pulse of creative practice now, bringing together distinct bodies of work that reflect, question and reshape artistic and social preoccupations defining our time.”

ACCA is located in South Melbourne and entrance is free.

Top image: ACCA. Photo: John Gollings.
Amanda Bennetts portrait. Photo: Ketakii Jewson-Brown.
Amanda Bell portrait. Photo: Ben Yew.
EJ Son portrait. Photo: the artist.
All other portraits. Photo: Mike Lam.