CRACKED
Expressions of Interest for CRACKED are now open.
CRACKED is a self-determined platform that seeds new experimental works by First Nations artists, rooted in creative exploration and led by the artists themselves.
Six Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander artists based in Victoria will be supported to create and present a 20-minute excerpt of new experimental work. These excerpts will be presented as two distinct triple-bill showings under the two specific genres of experimental theatre and experimental dance at YIRRAMBOI Festival 2027.
Selected artists will receive a $10,000 fee, alongside mentorship from leading First Nations practitioners, rehearsal space, accessibility provisions, technical support, and industry connections.
YIRRAMBOI have a strong commitment to d/Deaf, Disabled, neurodivergent, and regional artists.
Expressions of Interest close Sunday 12 July 2026, 11:59pm AEST.
WHY NOW?
Since 2017, YIRRAMBOI has commissioned and supported First Nations artists to create and present new work, and in doing so, has witnessed the ongoing constraints placed on practices that sit outside narrow, outdated expectations of what First Nations art should be. There is a clear and urgent need for platforms that hold space for experimentation, risk, and works in progress.
This program responds directly to that need, centring self-determination by resourcing artists to test ideas, challenge form, and expand their practice on their own terms. With CRACKED, YIRRAMBOI offers a culturally grounded and trusted context for this work, where artists can explore freely and audiences are invited to engage with the breadth and complexity of First Nations expression.
WHO CAN APPLY?
- Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander artists 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 eligible to apply.
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
- What makes your work different - what's new, risky, or hard to categorise about your idea
- How you'll use your development time - your creative process and how the work evolves week to week
- A budget showing how you will use the $10,000 fee including artist fees and production costs
- Examples of your previous work
If you have any questions or would like to discuss your submission, please contact Sherene Stewart, Artistic Director on sherene.stewart@melbourne.vic.gov.au or 0455 659 959.
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 Sherene Stewart, Artistic Director on sherene.stewart@melbourne.vic.gov.au or 0455 659 959.
If your project is shortlisted, you will be invited to pitch your project to the selection panel in person or online.
Apply for Cracked EOI via SmartyGrants HERE.
Submissions are selected through the following three stage process:
- Stage 1: Expressions of interest via SmartyGrants - Closing midnight, Sunday 12 July 2026
- Stage 2: Shortlisted applicants are invited to pitch their project in person or online to an all First Nations assessment panel
- Stage 3: Applicants notified of outcome late July
If you have any questions or would like to talk through your submission, please contact Sherene Stewart, Artistic Director on sherene.stewart@melbourne.vic.gov.au or 0455 659 959.
Artists who have previously been awarded a YIRRAMBOI Commission are eligible to apply.
Of course! If you have questions or would like to discuss your submission, contact Sherene Stewart, Artistic Lead on sherene.stewart@melbourne.vic.gov.au or 0455 659 959.
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, as long as there has been no public showing or presentation of the work, and no other organisation holds rights to its first premiere presentation. Keep in mind that CRACKED is designed to support early-stage experimentation, so projects that are already well developed may not be the best fit for this program. You must present a new 20-minute excerpt as part of YIRRAMBOI in May 2027.
No, YIRRAMBOI do not produce specific shows. Awarded projects will work with a YIRRAMBOI Senior Producer to confirm studio space and development time, coordinate the involvement of a First Nations mentor, and tell you what we need for marketing, ticketing and accessibility.
No, YIRRAMBOI will allocate all CRACKED works to a presentation venue.
Your budget should cover artist fees and any production or technical costs such as sound design or set materials. Keep in mind that CRACKED is presenting 20-minute excerpts, so we'd encourage you to think lean — this is a development platform, not a full production.
YIRRAMBOI will provide a lighting designer for all presentations, and will cover all accessibility costs for artists and audiences, so these don't need to be factored into your budget.
Download the budget template in Excel.
Yes, YIRRAMBOI will cover accessibility costs for both artists and audiences. You can outline your needs as an artist/collective and your ideas for audience accessibility in the EOI.
Yes, YIRRAMBOI will organise 3–4 weeks of rehearsal and studio space across the development period. Any additional space you need outside of this is your responsibility to arrange and budget for.
Bump in and technical rehearsals will be limited - CRACKED is a triple bill of 20-minute excerpts, so bump-in and tech time will be shared across all six works. We'd encourage you to design with this in mind and keep your technical requirements straightforward.