MCC / Open House Melbourne Exhibition of Photography 2026

OPEN CALL: MCC & Open House Melbourne – ‘Our Generous City’ Exhibition

  • Invitation to all MCC Members and external exhibitors to participate in the upcoming Melbourne Camera Club & Open House Melbourne Photography Exhibition – ‘Our Generous City’
  • Theme: ‘Our Generous City’:

We invite you to explore how generosity and a culture of openness can be reflected in your image(s). This may be expressed through design, architecture, community connection, shared spaces, cultural identity, accessibility, everyday interactions, or any other interpretation that reflects the spirit of openness and generosity. Examples could include multigenerational homes, community gardens, cultural hubs, inclusive environments, and other shared or community-focused spaces and activities

  • This exhibition is open to MCC Members and non-members to submit works for consideration in the Print Exhibition 
  • This will be a curated exhibition but all MCC Members will have at least one print in the Exhibition.
  • Images not chosen for printing will be displayed in a slideshow in the Gallery while the exhibition is open.

Key Dates

  • Entries are now open – click here!
  • Sunday 14 June – Entries Close 11.59pm. The Exhibition is a curated exhibition, and interested exhibitors are required to upload up to three digital images to the Entry Form to be considered for inclusion in the Print Exhibition
  • Sunday 21 June – Entrants will be advised if they have been accepted and to proceed with printing and matting of their accepted image/s. Images not chosen for printing will be displayed in a slideshow in the Gallery while the exhibition is open.
  • Thursday 16 July – Print drop off at Melbourne Camera Club
  • Friday 24 July – Opening night: Upstairs Gallery at Melbourne Camera Club at 7.30pm
  • Weekend: 25 + 26 July – Exhibition open to public as part of Open House Weekend
  • Weekend: 1 + 2 August – Exhibition open to public

Terms & Conditions: MCC & Open House Melbourne Photography Exhibition: ‘Our Generous City’

Exhibition Terms and Conditions

1. IMPORTANT DATES

Submit your Entry

    • Entries are open now!!
    • ENTRY FORM 
    • Closing date: Sunday 14 June 2026, 11.59pm
    • Entries are open to MCC Members and Non-Members
    • Maximum total entries 150 prints – entries may close before the advertised closing date if numbers of images received reach maximum capacity

Confirmation of successful entries for the Print Exhibition

    • Entrants advised if successful: Sunday 21 June 2026
    • Successful entries are then to be Printed and matted by the Exhibitor, refer information below.

Artwork Drop Off

    • Thursday 16 July, 6.30pm-7.30pm 
    • Accepted Prints are to be delivered, mounted with a white mat board not exceeding an outside measurement of 400mm x 500mm (or 16 inch x 20 inch) and with a backing board of foam core or thick cardboard, securely attached and ready to install to Melbourne Camera Club, corner Ferrars St and Dorcas St, South Melbourne. Framing and string/hanging setup is NOT required. 
    • Dropping off work prior to the above date can be arranged with the Exhibition Coordinators

Exhibition Opening Event

    • Friday 24 July at 7.30pm, all Exhibitors are welcome

Exhibition Dates and Hours

    • Weekend 1: Saturday 25 July & Sunday 26 July, 11am-3pm – Open House Melbourne Weekend
    • Weekend 2: Saturday 1 August & Sunday 2 August, 11am-3pm

Artwork collection from Melbourne Camera Club

    • Sunday 2 August, 3pm-3.30pm
    • Thursday 6 August, 7.30pm-8pm
    • Or by prior arrangement with Exhibition Coordinators

2. HOW TO ENTER

    • Entry Form click here 
    • Closing date: Sunday 14 June, 11.59pm
    • You are required to accept these Terms and Conditions, and to confirm you are the creator and copyright owner of all elements in your submitted entries.
    • The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for the generation or editing of images is strictly prohibited.
    • Drop off your accepted Printed work/s to Melbourne Camera Club on the specified dates. Each work must be ready for installation. Work must be labelled on the reverse with:
      1. Your full name
      2. The title(s) of your work
      3. Your contact details
      4. Arrow showing required orientation (download label template if required)
    • Every endeavour will be made to hang all work submitted, subject to Section 7

3. ENTRIES

    • The number of entries is limited to a maximum of 3 per person. This will be a curated Print exhibition. 
    • As this is a curated exhibition, entrants are required to provide a JPG file no greater than 2MB when finalising their registration by Sunday 14 June (11.59pm), through the Entry Form
    • Any of your submitted image/s may be used for the promotion of the Open House Melbourne Exhibition on the Melbourne Camera Club and Open House Melbourne Facebook and Instagram pages and other promotional materials
    • Note that the Melbourne Camera Club and Open House Melbourne may or may not use your image for promotion.
    • Work submitted to this exhibition may or may not be on display in the Gallery, however MCC Members will have at least one work in the Print Exhibition. Images not chosen for printing will be shown in a slideshow in the Gallery while the exhibition is open – subject to Section 7. 
    • All Prints accepted for the Exhibition must be available for display across all dates of the exhibition.
    • Photographers with a series consisting of two images or more may provide instructions for the installation of their work, but we cannot guarantee that a series will be hung together
    • Works above the maximum size limit or works deemed unsafe to hang will not be exhibited
    • This is a free exhibition, there is no entry fee for Exhibitors
    • We have an all care, no responsibility policy. With such a large number of works to install, although we take all care, we cannot take responsibility for damage made to work submitted to the exhibition
    • All Prints accepted for the Exhibition must be ready for installation when dropped off
    • Prints may be any size, provided they fit within a 16 x 20 inch mat board. All entries must be presented with a white or off-white mat board and a securely attached backing board made from foam board or sturdy cardboard. A label must be securely attached to the back of each entry with photographer’s name, contact details and title of the work (refer Section 4). Click here for a beginners guide to matting your prints. 
    • All works must not exceed an outside measurement of 400mm x 500mm (or 16 inch x 20 inch) mounted size, including mat/backing board
    • Framing and string/hanging setup is NOT required. 

4. DROPPING OFF WORKS

    • Thursday 16 July between 6.30pm-7.30pm
    • Dropping off work outside the above dates can be arranged with the Exhibition Coordinators via email: ExhibitionsTeam@melbournecameraclub.org.au
    • Please clearly label all work on the back with photographer’s name, contact details and title of the work (refer Section 2 above) (download label template if required)
    • Drop off location:

Melbourne Camera Club
254-256 Ferrars Street (cnr Dorcas & Ferrars Sts, entry from Dorcas Street)
South Melbourne 

5. COLLECTING WORKS

    • Works can be collected on:
      • Sunday 2 August, 3pm-3.30pm
      • Thursday 6 August, 7.30pm-8pm
    • If work is to be returned by post, return postage costs must be included with your submission.
    • Reminder to bring your satchel / bag when collecting your images
    • Prior arrangements can be made with the Exhibition Coordinators for collecting works

6. PRIZE

    • There will be a small prize for a People’s Choice Award for the MCC / Open House Melbourne Exhibition.
    • The photographer whose print receives the highest number of votes will be awarded the People’s Choice Award
    • Every person who visits the exhibition is entitled to one vote. Multiple votes per person will not be valid. Only valid votes will be counted.
    • People’s Choice Prize winner and Lucky Voter winner will be announced at the Melbourne Camera Club meeting on Thursday, 6 August at 8pm and winners will be contacted directly.
    • Results will be published in MCC’s members newsletter, social media and website.

7. FURTHER CONDITIONS

    • As this is a curated exhibition, where it is hoped to display all accepted Print entries, this may not be possible due to space restrictions.
    • The Melbourne Camera Club Exhibition Coordinators reserve the right to make selections for the exhibition that may be determined by available space.
    • Entries will be displayed (subject to space) unless deemed offensive, too fragile, dangerous or not ready for installation.
    • If you are photographing children, you must refer to protocols developed by the Australia Council (australiacouncil.gov.au) before entering your work and adhere to the MCC Ethical Principles of Photography, available on the MCC website.
    • Insurance is the sole responsibility of the entrant.
    • All care will be taken however, the Melbourne Camera Club will not be responsible for any loss or damage caused to the work, howsoever caused.
    • We kindly request exhibitors to assist with staffing the exhibition for a 2 hour shift, if possible.
      • MCC Members can signup to the roster through this link 
      • Non-Member exhibitors, please email us with your preferred date and time
        • Saturday 25 July & Sunday 26 July, Roster shifts: 11am-1pm / or 1pm-3pm
        • Saturday 1 August & Sunday 2 August, Roster shifts: 11am-1pm / or 1pm-3pm
      • Your support is greatly appreciated in making the exhibition a success.
    • Note: if your Print/s are not collected by 31 August 2026 and no prior arrangements have been made with the Exhibition Coordinators, they will be disposed of.

If you are a first time exhibitor interested in entering the exhibition and have any questions about printing or matting, or if you have any queries or alternative drop off / pickup arrangements, please contact our Exhibition Coordinators, via email at ExhibitionsTeam@melbournecameraclub.org.au.

We look forward to you joining us in this year’s exhibition.

Any queries please contact us by email: ExhibitionsTeam@melbournecameraclub.org.au.