Expression of Interest - Artists & Creative Practitioners

Cairns Festival 2027 runs Friday 27 August - Sunday 5 September

Each year, Cairns Festival showcases vibrant, original and progressive arts and cultural experiences from across our region and the nation. We prioritise locally connected work that brings fresh perspectives and offers new encounters for our audiences. As a curated festival, programming includes our Main Stage on the Esplanade, along with site-responsive projects at the southern end of the Esplanade, Munro Martin Parklands, Tanks Arts Centre and the Cairns Performing Arts Centre.

The Brief 

Cairns audiences have an appetite for creative excellence, and we’re seeking artists and creative practitioners who can offer something fresh, bold, original or transformative.

We want to elevate authentic stories and experiences through works that speak to who we are, how we live, and the environment that shapes us, or that introduce audiences to exciting new encounters.

We’re inviting proposals across all artforms: music, dance, visual arts, comedy, circus, cabaret, theatre, puppetry, projection, film, literature, workshops, roving performance and more. If it’s imaginative, contemporary and genuinely compelling, we want to hear from you.

Key Dates

  • Applications open now

  • Applications close Monday 1 March 2027 (11:59pm)

  • Successful applicants notified May-June 2027

  • Unsuccessful applicants notified early July 2027

  • Cairns Festival 2027 will run from Friday 27 August - Sunday 5 September

Please note minimum requirements for successful applicants are:

  • A current certificate of currency for Public Liability Insurance (PLI) up to $20 million

  • Marketing Assets of one (1) high resolution hero image (1MB or larger) and 100-word (max) bio

  • Technical Specifications document (tech specs) 

If you are able to offer something fresh, new and original to our festival program please submit an application below.

Your Application

Your application is your pitch, so please include as much clear and relevant detail as possible. We want to understand what you’re proposing, why it matters, and how it will elevate the Cairns Festival experience.

Please provide examples of your work or project, such as concept or design drawings, links to social media or websites, marketing materials, technical specifications, and budgets, clearly indicating your expected contribution from Cairns Festival. Include details on sites or locations if your work is site-specific or responds to a particular space, target audience, relevance, and the resources required to deliver your project, including staffing and equipment, with a clear outline of responsibilities.

Show us who you are, the strength of your idea, and the clarity of your vision for what you want to bring to the Cairns Festival program.

Artist or Performer Name

As would appear in all published material

Contact Details

Primary contact person for the Act
If applicable
Our preferred method of communication
Mobile number preferred

About the Act

Max 150 words
Max 100 words
Max 100 words, As would appear in all published material
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No text, High resolution 1MB minimum, As would appear in all published material

Support Material

The following support material fields are not mandatory, but it is advantageous for your application to supply material that is applicable to the Act. 

Web Links

Technical Specifications

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Marketing and Promotion

As would appear in all published material.

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General Other

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Availability

Cairns Festival runs annually over 10 days, from the last weekend in August to the first weekend in September. 

In 2027, it runs from Friday 27 August to Sunday 5 September.

Fee

Note: In general travel and accommodation must be arranged, booked and paid for by you, in some rare instances Cairns festival will be open to negotiate these items.

Insurance

To participate in Cairns Festival a certificate of currency for Public Liability Insurance (PLI) to a minimum amount of $20 million is mandatory.

Geronimo!

Thank you for taking the leap and submitting your application for Cairns Festival 2027.

Putting together a ten-day festival is a B!G bold adventure with many moving parts! We ask for a little patience while we review applications, so unless it’s essential (like part of a bigger tour), please hold off on status enquiries about your application. Don’t worry, the festival team has it covered and will be in touch when the time is right.

If you have enquiries, please contact us on 07 4044 3594 or festival@cairns.qld.gov.au 

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Cairns Regional Council – Information Privacy Statement

Your personal information has been collected for the purpose of assessing your application. The collection of your information is authorised under the Local Government Act 2009. You are providing personal information which will be used for the purpose of delivering services and carrying out Council business. Your personal information is handled in accordance with the Information Privacy Act 2009 and will be accessed by persons who have been authorised to do so. Your information will not be given to any other person or agency unless you have given Council permission to or the disclosure is required by law.

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