Overview

• Organisers say the Bondi exhibition needs $200,000 within two weeks to proceed, with about $120,000 already raised.
• Federal Arts Minister Tony Burke ruled out funding and said artists were not paid and had to pay to participate, a claim founder David Handley disputed.
• Handley said artists pay a $50 application fee but are guaranteed at least $3,000 and can earn through awards and sales, with the organisation taking a 40% commission plus GST on sales.
• Burke said the event had not applied for funding, and Creative Australia last supported the Bondi show in 2023 after ranking it poorly.
• The Perth edition did not run this year, though Austrade has granted $1.5 million to stage WA events in 2026 and 2027, as ministers weigh tax reforms such as tax‑free government art prizes and broader production offsets.