Call for Entries – MCC Exhibition for Open House Melbourne Weekend 2025

Entries are Open! 

We’re excited to announce that MCC will once again be participating in Open House Melbourne, with our building open to the public during the OHM weekend in late July.

This year’s photography exhibition will align with the official Open House Melbourne theme:

• ‘Stories of the City’ – illuminate and explore the layers of urban life through stories of architecture, culture and community.

This is a fantastic opportunity to showcase your work to a broader audience and be part of a city-wide celebration of Melbourne’s built environment and urban stories.

Get involved – there are many ways to approach this theme:

• Team up with fellow members to photograph a particular building, street or neighbourhood
• Share a story of your childhood or your family experiences
• Tell a story through a series of 2–3 prints or a triptych or storyboard

‘Stories of the City’ Exhibition hero image: Erick Niyiragira by Megan Smith 

Key Info

• Entries are now open!! 

• You may submit up to 3 printed and mounted works

• Images can be captured anywhere within urban Melbourne (doesn’t need to be the CBD specifically)

• Sun 6 July: entries close

• Thurs 10 July: 7-8pm Print Drop off

• Friday 18 July: Exhibition Opening

• Sat/Sun 19-20 July: Exhibition open 11am-3pm

• Sat/Sun 26-27 July: Exhibition open 11am-3pm (Open House Weekend)

We look forward to seeing your take on the ‘Stories of the City’ – whether it’s hidden histories, modern moments, or the people and places that shape our urban landscape.

Exhibition Terms & Conditions

Theme: Stories of the City

1. IMPORTANT DATES

Registration

• • Entries now open
  • REGISTER HERE – you are invited to register your interest now to secure a place in the exhibition, and update your print titles closer to the closing date.
  • Closing date: Sunday 6 July 2025, 11:59pm
  • Entries are open to all members of MCC.

Artwork Drop Off

• • Thursday 10 July 2025 between 7.00 and 8.00 pm (or by prior arrangement with the Exhibition Coordinator)
  • Artwork to be delivered, printed, mounted and ready to install to Melbourne Camera Club, corner Ferrars St and Dorcas St, South Melbourne

Exhibition Opening Event

• • Friday 18 July 2025 at 7.30pm *Note the opening event is on a Friday night, not the usual Thursday night.

Exhibition Dates and Hours

• • Saturday & Sunday 19-20 July
  • Saturday & Sunday 26-27 July (Open House Melbourne weekend)
  • Hours: 11.00am to 3.00pm

Artwork Collection

• • Sunday 27 July, 3.00 to 3.30pm
  • Thursday 31 July, 7.30 to 8.00pm
  • Or by prior arrangement with the Exhibition Coordinator

2. HOW TO ENTER

• • REGISTER HERE – you are invited to register your interest now to secure a place in the exhibition, and update your print titles closer to the closing date.
  • Closing date: Sunday 6 July 2025, 11:59pm
  • You are required to accept these terms and conditions, and to confirm you are the owner or the copyright for your works
  • Drop off your works to the Melbourne Camera Club on the specified dates. Each work must be ready for installation. Work must be labelled on the reverse side with:
    • Your full name
    • The title(s) of your work(s)
    • Your contact details
    • 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
  • All entries must be within the theme of ‘Stories of the City‘
  • This is a free exhibition
  • Entrants are invited to submit a 1MB JPEG of their entry to be used for the promotion of the Exhibition on the Melbourne Camera Club Facebook and Instagram pages via email to Exhibition Coordinators, ExhibitionsTeam@melbournecameraclub.org.au. Please note that Melbourne Camera Club may or may not use your image(s) for promotion.
  • Work submitted to this exhibition may or may or may not be on display in the gallery however every exhibitor will have at least one work in the exhibition – subject to Section 7.
  • All work submitted must be available for display across all dates of the exhibition.
  • Artists with a series consisting of two or more images must provide instructions for the installation of their work, but we cannot guarantee that a series will be hung together.
  • Works deemed unsafe to hang will not be exhibited.
  • We have an all care, no responsibility policy. Although we take all care, we cannot take responsibility for damage made to work submitted to the exhibition.
  • All works must be ready for installation when dropped off.
  • All works must be printed and mounted on white mat board with a backing board of foam core or cardboard.
  • All works must not exceed an outside measurement of 400mm x 500mm (or 16 inch x 20 inch) mounted, including mat boards. If you wish to submit works outside these specifications, please discuss with the Exhibition Coordinators.

4. ROSTER

• • We kindly request that all exhibitors assist with staffing the exhibition for a two-hour shift if possible.
  • MCC members can sign in and select a date / time through this link
  • Shifts are 11am-1pm or 1pm-3pm on Saturday 19 July, Sunday 20 July, Saturday 26 July, or Sunday 27 July.

5. DROPPING OFF WORKS

• • Works must arrive at the Melbourne Camera Club on or before Thursday 10 July 2025, between 7-8pm.
  • Drop off location:

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

• • Dropping off work before 10 July is by prior arrangement with the Exhibition Coordinators.
  • 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)

6. COLLECTING WORKS

• •  Works can be collected:
    • Sunday 27 July, 3pm-3.30pm
    • Thursday 31 July, 7.30pm-8pm
    •  Or by prior arrangement with the Exhibition Coordinator
  • If work is to be returned by post, return postage costs must be included with your submission.
  • Remember to bring your satchel / bag when collecting your works 

7. PEOPLE’S CHOICE

• • There will be a small prize for a People’s Choice Award for the Exhibition
  • The photographer’s work with the most votes will be awarded the winner of 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 will be announced at the Melbourne Camera club meeting on Thursday 31 July at 8pm and included in the club’s newsletter, social media and website.

8. FURTHER CONDITIONS

• • As this is a curated exhibition, where it is hoped to display all 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.
  • All entries will be displayed (subject to space) unless deemed offensive, too fragile, dangerous or not ready for installation.
  • Insurance is the sole responsibility of the entrant.
  • 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.
  • All care will be taken however, the Melbourne Camera Club will not be responsible for any loss or damage caused to the work, however caused.

If you are a first time exhibitor and need clarification on printing or matting, have any questions about the Terms & Conditions, or wish to arrange alternative drop off / pickup arrangements, please contact our Exhibition Coordinators, via email at ExhibitionsTeam@melbournecameraclub.org.au.

 

June 2025