MADE NEW : 2026 Applications OPEN

MADE NEW Expressions of Interest - 2026 Festival

Following the success of the 2025 festival, New Annual is seeking local artists who want to be involved in Newcastle’s flagship arts festival in 2026.

The MADE NEW program aims to amplify local artists and celebrate the exceptional creative talent within our region through new works within the festival.

We are looking for new work that tells a story in an unusual way or plays with form. Be lateral in your thinking as we love out of the box ideas – the main parameter we have is the budget, with a maximum of $40K per project available for fully delivered projects.

2026 EOI BRIEF

In 2026, applications are welcomed that meet the following criteria:

• Site specific work that responds to a local site or tells a local story.
• Work that fosters collaboration between artists (either a local artist collaborating with a national artist or local artists collaborating) and work that encourages collaboration across artforms.
• New works that have not had a Newcastle season and are timely and relevant. You should be able to answer the question “Why Newcastle?” in your application.
• Can demonstrate a clear audience strategy and understanding of your target audience. Bonus points if you have an existing audience who can support your work during the festival.

EOI SELECTION CRITERIA

Applicants need to reside in Newcastle or the surrounding areas. Applications will be assessed against the below criteria:

• Artistic merit 
• Alignment to the EOI brief
• The work has a strong connection to place
• The project demonstrates viability, particularly regarding budget, timeframes, audience strategy and mode of delivery

KEY DATES 

ARTFORMS

Professional local artists and artists connected to Greater Newcastle, who work across interdisciplinary art forms, including visual arts, dance, theatre, music, and multimedia are encouraged to apply. The project should see the artist/s experimenting and pushing the boundaries of their creative practice, responding to their chosen space.

The selected projects or works will be presented as part of the upcoming New Annual festival, running from 25 Sept - 4 Oct 2026.

Your proposed event can be a one-off event or performance, an exhibition, or presented more than once successively throughout the festival period. We do need you to produce and deliver the project – we can help but we expect it to be ready for presentation. We can have a conversation with you if you need a producer and this can come out of the overall budget. See below.

Successful applicants are expected to supply high quality imagery and video prior to the marketing deadline to ensure that their programs can be included in the festival's marketing campaign.

FUNDS + SUPPORT

Applicants can apply for funding ranging from AUD $20,000 per project up to a maximum of AUD $40,000 per project. Projects can be either self-produced, or co-produced with New Annual. Works co-produced with New Annual will decrease the overall awarded budget for the work.

Your Expression of Interest must include a budget breakdown of all fees, materials, production costs, cast and crew fees, and additional expenses. For an example of a detailed budget breakdown, please see template here.

Successful applicants will be included in the New Annual festival program, which ensures support from the festival and City of Newcastle in the following ways:

• Marketing: New Annual will include your event in all relevant marketing to maximise the success of your event. This involves inclusion on the website, in the printed brochure, email marketing, and all other relevant festival marketing channels. Your event will be included in relevant festival paid advertising and organic social media content. You are encouraged to conduct your own marketing via your own channels.
• Publicity: our festival publicist will pitch to relevant media on your behalf and include you in all relevant media releases and media opportunities (based on publisher alignment). You are encouraged to also conduct your own publicity.
• Production: in-kind venue support, and access to technical production support where applicable and feasible. Please note New Annual does not have access to CN venues free of charge.

WHO CAN APPLY? 

New Annual welcomes applications from professional artists across all art forms. We seek those living and creating in Newcastle and surrounding areas or demonstrating a genuine connection to the region. Applying artists can propose collaborations with artists from outside the local region, including interstate and international if this is critical to the project and feasible within budget and travel conditions. 

We encourage applications from diverse backgrounds, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, people who identify as LGBTIQ+, and people living with disabilities. 

FAQ's

Can I apply for 'MADE NEW' if I live outside Newcastle or the surrounding area? 
If you live outside of Newcastle or the surrounding area, you are not eligible to apply as the primary applicant for 'MADE NEW'. However, if you are collaborating with an artist who lives in Newcastle or the surrounding area, they can be the primary applicant for your project.

Can I work with artists outside the region?
Applying artists can propose collaborations with artists from outside the local region, interstate and internationally, if this is feasible within budget and travel.

Can I apply for additional funding for my project from other sources?
Yes. However, you must be able to present the project within the 'MADE NEW' budget. Additional funds can be used to amplify project outcomes, but a project for the 2026 festival cannot rely on additional funds unless they are secured at the time of submission. Artists must advise New Annual of any additional funding and any subsequent acknowledgement requirements.

QUESTIONS?

If you have questions about applying, or would like assistance with accessibility requirements contact [email protected]

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Image: New Annual festival 2025. Dust performing at SOAK: Live at the Baths. Photographer: Ange Maloney