The Ultimate Student Guide to New Annual 2024

It's officially festival season and it's time to start planning.

Get ready to dive into contemporary art and culture with the 2024 New Annual Festival. In collaboration with the University of Newcastle, this is your ultimate student guide to all the must-see events and performances that will ignite your creativity and connect you with our city’s rich culture.

Join us in celebrating the best of Newcastle’s artistic talent! 

First Night Street Party

Celebrate the first night of New Annual with a spectacular takeover of King Street! Headlining the evening is proud Gamilaraay man Mitch Tambo, who brings an electrifying blend of didgeridoo, traditional dance, and contemporary beats. 

Be sure to check out Big Picture Fest’s animation projection at NUspace! 

FREE
27 September 2024
5:00pm
King Street & Civic Park
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Seahorse Film Festival

Presented by the University of Newcastle, the Seahorse Film Festival is the perfect blend of international creativity and local talent!  

This event is a celebration of filmmaking where both experienced and emerging filmmakers showcase their work to a live audience. You’ll watch as artists are commemorated for their talents and see their visions come to life on the big screen. 

5 October 2024, 6:30pm
6 October 2024, 5:00pm
Harold Lobb Concert Hall, University of Newcastle Conservatorium of Music
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Global Gathering

Global Gathering is back and better than ever!  

This free event has something for everyone, featuring live cooking demonstrations, interactive workshops, and an exciting lineup of music, dance performances, and DJ sets. 

Some of the University of Newcastle’s most talented students are gearing up to perform this year, bringing new sounds and creativity to life. 

FREE
5 October 2024
2:00pm
Newcastle Museum Park
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INTRA HUMAN X INTER DIGITAL: Art Thinking

Ever wondered how technology is shaping your everyday life? 

Dr. Kristefan Minski and Iian Greenhalgh, alongside students and lecturers at the University of Newcastle, have delved into this very question, creating a free immersive media artwork exhibition to explore the influence and impact of technology. 

You will be invited to take a seat in the 'Social Cushion' and watch as your interaction with digital and social media unfolds around you in real-time. You'll also have the chance to engage with various other interactive installations that explore the intricate relationship between technology and society. 

FREE
27 September - 6 October 2024
11:00am
164 Hunter Street
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Art Thinking Lab Master Class: Converging Art & Technology for Social Impact

Want a look behind the scenes?

Take the masterclass and learn about data visualisation, real-time animation, and complex audio-visual matrix systems that went into this project. 

5 - 6 October 2024
2:00pm
164 Hunter Street
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Rising from the Ashes: Newcastle Youth Orchestra

Weaving art, culture, and community connection, the Newcastle Youth Orchestra is set to deliver a unique program of multimedia performances with their new composition Rising from the Ashes: An Orchestral Suite. 

Held at the University of Newcastle’s Conservatorium of Music, this project celebrates the cultural narratives of Newcastle and fosters unity and understanding among diverse communities. 

28 September 2024, 7:30pm
29 September 2024, 2:00pm
Harold Lobb Concert Hall, University of Newcastle Conservatorium of Music
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The Cord: Catapult Dance Choreographic Hub
What ties us all together?

The Cord is a provocative new contemporary dance work that explores the connections that bind us to each other, our surroundings, and the essence of life itself. 

Created by acclaimed First Nations choreographer, Jasmin Sheppard, The Cord investigates the concept of identity in a visually dynamic and thought-provoking performance.   

3-4 October 2024
7:30pm
Harold Lobb Concert Hall, University of Newcastle Conservatorium of Music
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Belongings: Distil Immersive

What is the one thing you couldn’t live without?

Belongings tells the story of 6 refugees who took asylum in Australia, revealing their personal journeys through the lens of their most treasured possessions. A multi-user, immersive experience, Belongings combines documentary storytelling with smartphone technology to create an intimate encounter.  

Featured alongside this event is a project titled Boundaries: Transcended. The project was initiated by Alice Neikirk, an academic at the University of Newcastle's School of Law and Justice and works with ceramicist Mojgan Habibi. Participants have created over 700 tiny houses to acknowledge the resettlement of refugees in the Hunter Valley. 

FREE
27 September - 5 October
Watt Space Gallery 
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Big Picture Fest

Newcastle is set to transform into a vibrant canvas as the Big Picture Fest returns to the city centre. Supported by the University of Newcastle, this free event invites you to check out six new large-scale murals and immerse yourself in the creativity of both local and global artists.  

FREE
27 - 29 September 2024
Newcastle CBD
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MEGAN COPE: Ngumpi Kinyingarra Oyster House

Try some deliciously fresh oysters straight from Newcastle waters at the Ngumpi Kinyingarra Oyster House. This 10-day project celebrates local oysters, community collaboration, and environmental stewardship by hosting a dynamic program of talks, workshops, performances, and music. 

Hear from the University of Newcastle’s School of Architecture and Design students and lecturers about the development of the Oyster House structure, a temporary pavilion on the Honeysuckle Marina.

FREE | Scrub Club from 10:00am - 5:00pm
27 September - 6 October
Honeysuckle Marina, Cnr Workshop Way & Merewether Street
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Newcastle Art Gallery Talks and Ideas

Take part in a series of panel discussions and a conversation with artist Megan Cope as we delve into the themes of Ngumpi Kinyingarra Oyster House.

FREE Registration Required
28 September - 5 October
Honeysuckle Marina, Cnr Workshop Way & Merewether Street

Opening Celebration and Conversation

28 September 2024
10:00am
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Ancestral Technologies in Contemporary Art

28 September 2024
2:00pm
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Protecting Aquatic Ecologies

29 September 2024
11:00am + 2:00pm
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Water as Life

5 October 2024
11:00am
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