Last print run for Surf Coast Arts Calendar

Published on 16 September 2025

The 2026 Surf Coast Community Arts Calendar will be the last edition in print, as Surf Coast Shire Council develops new avenues for nurturing, celebrating and promoting artistic activity.

The much-loved calendar has been produced and printed annually for more than 25 years, celebrating and promoting local artists of all ages and in particular emerging creatives.

The annual community art exhibition and competition which accompanied launch of the calendar each year will continue, alongside other activities in a new Arts Initiative Program.

Submissions for the 2026 and final calendar edition are now open, and artists are being encouraged to get entries in by 21 September to help make it a grand print-edition finale.

Council’s General Manager Placemaking and Environment Chris Pike said the decision to cease print editions was not made lightly.

“We know that people have great affection for the calendar, but we believe that the costs of producing them can be used to create more opportunities for artists to develop and share their work,” Mr Pike said.

“Even though our community has grown during the past 25 years the calendar is now used by a smaller number of people than its earlier days, and production demands significant funding.

“While there might be measures of sadness with the ending of an era, the transition will help ensure that our arts and creatives program can include more flexible, inclusive and sustainable activities into the future.”

From 2026-27 the new Arts Initiative Program will present an annual facilitated project that changes in theme, art form and location each year.

Council’s Arts Team will be excited to share more details about the program in 2026. Future arts investment will focus on programs that:

• Engage a broader range of artists and art forms
• Introduce new audiences to creativity across the region
• Provide inclusive opportunities across age groups, and
• Align with Council’s Health and Wellbeing Plan.

Artists can find submission details for the last print calendar edition via surfcoast.vic.gov.au/calendarcomp

Entry restrictions have been lifted, allowing winning artists from the past couple of years to enter again.