Artistic director and curator Julie Collins is working through more than 680 proposals from artists all over Australia over the next few months, with another 150 artists to be included.

“It is so exciting to see the diversity of practice and ideas from across Australia. I will be selecting a mix of high-profile, emerging and overlooked mid-career artists,” said Ms Collins.

The Biennale of Australian Art will be the largest visual art festival showcasing living Australian artists.

“It will tell Australian stories; stories of our past, present and future, reflecting what it means to be Australian today. It will have a strong Aboriginal focus as well as celebrating our multiculturalism,” said Ms Collins.

“BOAA will hero Ballarat’s heritage with a contemporary vision.Ballarat - where history is made as well as lived.”

Some of the artists already selected have just been announced.

Bruce Armstrong - Victoria

Amy Joy Watson - South Australia

Ken & Julia Yonetani - New South Wales

Tjanpi Weavers - Northern Territory 

Abdul Abdullah - Western Australia

Kim Anderson - Ballarat

BOAA will be presented across 50 indoor/outdoor locations across Ballarat over a six-week period between September 21 to November 6, 2018.