2027 Artist & Creative Call Out
Cairns Festival 2027 - Artists & Creatives Expression of Interest
Each year, Cairns Festival showcases vibrant, original and progressive arts and cultural experiences that celebrate our people, our place, and the spirit of play that makes Cairns unique.
As a curated festival, Cairns Festival presents a diverse program across the city, including our Main Stage on the Esplanade, alongside site-responsive projects and experiences at the southern end of the Esplanade, Munro Martin Parklands, Tanks Arts Centre and the Cairns Performing Arts Centre.
Cairns audiences have a strong appetite for creative excellence, and we're seeking artists and creative practitioners who can offer something fresh, bold, original or transformative. We are interested in works that tell authentic stories, ignite imagination, foster shared experiences and create meaningful moments of discovery.
Whether your work reflects the landscapes, cultures and communities that shape Cairns, explores future possibilities for our city, or simply creates opportunities for audiences to gather, participate and play, we want to hear from you.
The Brief
In 2027, we invite artists and creative practitioners to respond to our festival theme, Dear, Cairns, Dream Cairns. This theme is both a love letter and an invitation; a chance to reflect on what Cairns is today and imagine what it could become tomorrow. We’re seeking work that captures the stories, aspirations, creativity and character of our community, while inspiring audiences to dream boldly about the future of our region.
We invite proposals across all artforms: music, dance, visual arts, comedy, circus, cabaret, theatre, puppetry, projection, film, literature, workshops, roving performance and more. If it is imaginative, contemporary, engaging and genuinely compelling, we encourage you to apply.
Your application is your pitch, so please include as much clear and relevant detail as possible. We want to understand what you are proposing, why it matters, and how it responds to Dear, Cairns, Dream Cairns while enhancing the festival experience through meaningful connections with people, a strong sense of place, and opportunities for play and participation.
Key Dates
Putting together a ten-day festival is a big, 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.
- Expressions of interest are open Monday, 2 November 2026
- Expressions of interest close Monday 1 March 2027 (11.59pm)
- Successful applications notified May - June 2027
- Unsuccessful applications notified early July 2027
- Cairns Festival 2026 dates Fri 27 Aug - Sun 5 Sep 2026
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