2025 Fundraiser

About the fundraiser

We are excited to announce that the Firstdraft fundraiser 2025 is returning in an exciting new format: a weekend full of events, fierce bidding at our Artist Party, and the opportunity to purchase works and take them home on the spot. 

This event is our most important fundraising initiative and an annual survey of some of the most exciting art and artists nationally. Since 2009, artists from across Australia and around the world – many of whom received early-career support through Firstdraft – have contributed artworks to be sold at our annual fundraiser. It is a diverse and intergenerational platform for artists to connect with a passionate community of collectors while supporting new generations of practitioners.

Artists receive commissions on the sale of their contributions, and all profit helps us to keep our lights on and support Firstdraft’s annual program, contributing to artist fees for the countless artists, curators and writers who participate in our program each year.

It is a time for us to come together each year and celebrate artists supporting artists.

key dates

EOI’s close: Monday 30th June 2025 at 5:00 pm

All artworks must be received by: by Monday 14 July 2025

We can receive artworks via three methods, please read ‘Shipping and production’.

Free artwork collection by Friendly Moving Men: 11-13 July 2025.

(Available for Metropolitan and Greater Sydney artists only)

In person artwork drop-off at Firstdraft: Saturday the 5th of July to Monday the 14th of July 2025.

(Metropolitan and Greater Sydney artists)

Posted or couriered works must be received by: Monday 14 July 2025.

(Eg. for regional or interstate artists. Freight or postage cost can be paid or reimbursed by Firstdraft. 

fundraiser dates

Online auction goes live: Monday July 28th 2025 

Online auction duration: Monday July 28th - 2 August 2025 

In-person Firstdraft Auction Exhibition open: Friday 1 - Sunday 3 August 2025. 

Firstdraft Auction Artist Party: Saturday 2nd August 6 pm - 9 pm 

Online and in-person Firstdraft Auction Closes: Saturday 2 August at 9:00 pm 

Firstdraft online Art Market open: 28th July 2025 - 8th August

Firstdraft Market Day: Sunday 3rd August 11:00 am - 5:00 pm