IMA Gala and Benefit Auction 2026

Queensland’s premier charitable gala for contemporary art returns.

The annual IMA Gala and Benefit Auction unites our community of artists, cultural leaders, collectors, corporate supporters, arts patrons, and fans for an evening of style and spirited bidding.

Theme: Dress to impress in Art Couture. Nod to a legendary artist or wink at a defining movement. Prize for best dressed. Met Gala, eat your heart out.

Tickets on sale now. Limited group packages available—get in quick.

The IMA Benefit Auction is Queensland’s largest prestigious fundraising art auction.

Previous artists include Archibald Prize winners Julie Fragar and Mitch Cairns, and leading Australian artists Richard Bell, Sam Cranstoun, Paul Yore, D Harding, Vernon Ah Kee, and more.

View Auction here

Bidding opens online on Wednesday 22 Julyand concludes at 10pm AEST Friday 7 August 2026, with select items only available at the Gala.

The Institute of Modern Art (IMA) is Australia’s oldest contemporary art space and one of the Asia-Pacific’s most important forums for visual art. Funds raised at the IMA Gala enable us to continue shaping culture in Queensland through commissioning new, ambitious projects from Australian artists.

The IMA Benefit Auction is made possible thanks to the generous support of our auction artists and their gallerists who donate all or a portion of the sales price to the IMA.

The IMA is a registered charity and all donations over $2 are tax-deductible. More: ima.org.au/donate