Her Canvas. Her Story.
An Australian social enterprise creating opportunities for women and gender-diverse artists to be seen, connect with new audiences and earn through art.
Art can become more than something we make.
HER CANVAS exists to create more pathways for artists to move from creating privately to being seen, valued and paid for their work.
We are building a platform that connects artists with collectors, organisations, exhibitions and commercial opportunities.
HER CANVAS has a particular social purpose: supporting women and gender-diverse artists whose lives have been shaped by mental-health challenges, isolation or significant life transitions.
Artists are recognised first for their creativity, ideas and artistic voice.
Creativity can become especially meaningful during difficult periods.
For many people, art becomes more than something they make.
Creativity can offer a way to process experience, express what is difficult to put into words, reconnect with identity, find focus, or create a sense of calm and belonging during periods of anxiety, depression, grief, isolation, burnout or major life change.
HER CANVAS welcomes artists whose creative practice has played this kind of role in their lives.
Your artwork does not need to be about mental health, and you will never be required to publicly share personal experiences.
We are starting with an Open Call.
HER CANVAS is currently inviting expressions of interest from visual artists based in Australia who would like to be considered for future collections, exhibitions, sales, commissions, collaborations and other creative opportunities.
At this stage, we are discovering artists, building our network and developing the first HER CANVAS opportunities.
Submitting an expression of interest does not create a long-term commitment, guarantee selection for an opportunity, or require exclusivity.
Who can apply?
You do not need to be a professional artist or hold formal art qualifications.
Your story belongs to you.
The art
We are looking for original visual work. Initially we are interested in:
Some opportunities may have specific themes, sizes or formats.
Artists will always decide whether they wish to participate.
For Artists
Explore opportunities to be seen, exhibit, sell your work, develop your practice and connect with new audiences — while remaining independent.
OPEN CALL FOR ARTISTSFor Collectors
Discover original work by emerging and independent Australian artists and be first to hear when the HER CANVAS collection launches.
JOIN THE COLLECTOR LISTFor Partners
Work with HER CANVAS through exhibitions, corporate art, commissions, sponsorship, artist development and creative collaborations.
PARTNER WITH USA platform where creativity leads somewhere.
HER CANVAS aims to build stronger pathways between:
Create the opportunities.
Grow from there.
Artist First
Artists are recognised for their creativity, not defined by personal circumstances.
Choice
Artists decide which opportunities they want to participate in.
Independence
No exclusivity. No long-term commitment.
Dignity
Personal stories are shared only when artists choose to share them.
Opportunity
We want creativity to lead to visibility, connection and income.
Dr Lydia C. Saiz
Dr Lydia C. Saiz is an entrepreneur, educator, innovation specialist and multidisciplinary artist originally from Spain and now based in Australia.
Her own experience of adapting to a new country and language, isolation during COVID, and life in regional Australia shaped a strong interest in belonging, identity and connection.
She holds a PhD in Business Management focused on innovation and entrepreneurship and is currently undertaking postgraduate study in psychology. Lydia is also the artist behind Arbibo, an experimental practice exploring colour, texture, movement and multisensory experiences.
Through her creative work, Lydia has also developed and delivered programs, exhibitions and collaborative projects that support other women artists, while sharing practical skills to help them grow their creative practice and confidence.
HER CANVAS brings together her experience in art, entrepreneurship and human behaviour to create opportunities for women and gender-diverse artists affected by mental-health challenges, isolation and major life transitions to be seen, connected, supported and economically empowered through creativity.
We would love to discover your work.
If you are based in Australia and would like to be considered for future HER CANVAS opportunities, submit an expression of interest.
HER CANVAS respects your privacy. Any personal information shared through this form will be used only for assessing and communicating relevant HER CANVAS opportunities. Personal lived-experience information will not be published without your explicit permission.
PRIVACY POLICYBe the first to discover HER CANVAS.
Receive updates about upcoming collections, exhibitions, new artists and opportunities to collect original Australian art.
Create opportunity through art.
HER CANVAS is looking to connect with organisations that want to support artists, present creative work or build meaningful collaborations.
Potential partners include businesses, galleries, universities, councils, healthcare organisations, foundations, venues and arts organisations.