2027 Commissions EOI
CALLING ALL VICTORIAN BASED ABORIGINAL AND/OR TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER ARTISTS, COLLECTIVES & ARTS ORGANISATIONS
"Deeply rooted in purpose, YIRRAMBOI commissions are far more than creative opportunities, they are bold acts of sovereignty. Each work carries authentic, unapologetic self-expressions of culture, identity and truth, brought to life through evolutionary and experimental practices that defy preconceived notions of what First Nations ‘art’ should be. This opportunity sparks dialogue, disrupts systems, and create space for our stories to be told on our terms. Their impact reverberates well beyond the Festival, planting seeds of legacy that will continue to shape and inspire generations to come."- Sherene Stewart (Taungurung/Filipino), Creative Lead
Since 2017, YIRRAMBOI has been a platform for the future of First Nations arts. Now in its fifth iteration, YIRRAMBOI Commissions return to uncover and world premiere bold new works for YIRRAMBOI Festival 2027.
YIRRAMBOI invite Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander artists, collectives, community groups and arts organisations based in Victoria to submit an Expression of Interest. YIRRAMBOI Commissions may be any art form including theatre, dance, music, visual art, multi-art form and experimental practice. Projects may be at any stage of development, however must be fully realised for presentation by May 2027.
Selected artists will receive a commissioning fee of $17,000 for creative development and $17,000 for presentation, totalling $34,000.
YIRRAMBOI have a strong commitment to Victorian First Peoples, d/Deaf, Disabled, neurodivergent, and regional artists.
Expressions of Interest close Sunday 19 October, midnight AEST
Who can apply?
- Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander creatives based in Victoria
- Independent artists, collectives, community groups or arts organisations
- Artists working with a producer or with experience in producing their own projects
Artists who have previously been awarded a YIRRAMBOI Commission are unable to apply.
HOW DO I APPLY?
You can submit an Expression of Interest in the format that is easiest for you. You can submit the following formats through the SmartyGrants EOI system:
- Written
- Video
- Auslan
- Audio
Other methods of submitting include a phone call or online meeting that is transcribed by us. If you prefer to submit this way, please contact Emily Wells on emily.wells@melbourne.vic.gov.au or 0429 228 837.
If your project is shortlisted, you will be invited to pitch your project to the selection panel in person or online.
What do I need to apply?
The types of questions asked in the expression of interest include:
- A title and summary for your project
- A brief bio of the artist or group applying
- A creative development timeline including any previous and planned developments. This should include a work in progress showing by Dec 2026.
- A budget showing how you will use the $34,000 commissioning fee including artist fees, production costs and accessibility considerations.
- Examples of your previous work
If you have any questions or would like to discuss your submission, please contact Emily Wells, Executive Producer on emily.wells@melbourne.vic.gov.au or 0429 228 837.
Expressions of Interest close Sunday 19 October, midnight AEST
Submit your EOI through SmartyGrants
Commissions are selected through the following three stage process:
- Stage 1: Expression of interest via SmartyGrants - Closing Sunday 19 October, midnight AEST
- Stage 2: Shortlisted applicants from Stage 1 are invited to pitch their works in person or online to a First Nations panel of industry experts
- Stage 3: Applicants notified
If you have any questions or would like to talk through your submission, please contact Emily Wells, Executive Producer on emily.wells@melbourne.vic.gov.au or 0429 228 837.
Artists who have been awarded a past YIRRAMBOI Commission in any previous YIRRAMBOI Festival are unable to apply.
Yes, you may submit more than one project and multiple EOIs. If you are submitting more than one project, please ensure you submit each project as a separate EOI. Please note, you can only be awarded one Commission.
Of course! If you have questions or would like to discuss your submission, contact Emily Wells, Executive Producer on emily.wells@melbourne.vic.gov.au or 0429 228 837.
We encourage artists to seek extra funding towards their projects, however it is not required to have extra funding confirmed at the time of applying.
Yes, only if another organisation does not have rights to the first premiere presentation and your project can world premiere at YIRRAMBOI in May 2027.
No, YIRRAMBOI do not produce specific shows. Awarded projects will work with a YIRRAMBOI Senior Producer to confirm a presentation venue, tell you what we need for marketing and ticketing and help you find a rehearsal space.
Projects must identify a Producer within their own team who can work with YIRRAMBOI on these things. YIRRAMBOI recommend the Lead Artist is not also the Producer in the project, so they can focus on creating the artwork.
No, YIRRAMBOI will work with each artist to determine an ideal presentation venue.
Yes, your budget should include production and technical costs like sound, lighting or gallery install equipment.Where possible,YIRRAMBOI will work with our venue partners to provide some production equipment in-kind, but this is not guaranteed.