The Institute of Modern Art has a long history of championing and elevating emerging Queensland artists, helping them achieve visibility locally, nationally, and internationally. Established in 2024, our annual exhibition series Platform propels artistic careers by commissioning emerging Queensland artists to produce their most ambitious works to date—it’s a chance to ascend onto the national stage.

We are honoured to announce that Platform has been recognised by Creative Australia’s Plus1 Matched Funding program. This invaluable opportunity enables us to amplify the impact of the program in 2027. Funds we raise before 31 May 2026 will be matched by Creative Australia dollar-for-dollar, up to $50,000.

Platform is a significant career-development program with demonstrated impact on the profile and capacity building of Queensland’s emerging artists. In 2027 Plus1 funding will enable us to elevate an additional fourth artist to develop and deliver significant new work at a key point in their career.

‘The Institute of Modern Art turned fifty last year. For half a century we have been finding and flaunting the best, brightest, and most audacious contemporary art from here, there, and everywhere’, says IMA Director Robert Leonard. ‘We show local emerging artists, but also established and canonical ones, as part of the same discussion. A show at the IMA means something. People take note. It’s all about the company you keep’.

Platform is a stepping stone. Since appearing in Platform 2024, Filipino-Australian artist Miguel Aquilizan has been seen in numerous shows, including in the 2025 Ramsay Art Prize at the Art Gallery of South Australia, Tandanya/Adelaide; and has been profiled in Vault magazine. Also from Platform 2024, Butchulla-Burmese painter Mia Boe was picked up by Sydney’s Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery and is currently exhibiting in And Still I Rise at Sydney’s Art Gallery of New South Wales. From Platform 2025, Keemon Williams featured in Primavera 2025 at Sydney’s Museum of Contemporary Art; was picked up by Naarm/Melbourne’s Lon Gallery; and joined Queensland Art Gallery as a curator.

With Creative Australia’s Plus1 Matched Funding and the generous support of our donors, the IMA will take four emerging artists to new heights in 2027. Give before 31 May 2026 to have your donation matched, with all donations over $2 tax deductible. Donate now