SELECTION CRITERIA 

All EOIs are assessed against the same criteria:

Artistic Quality & Originality (30%)

  • The work shows creative strength, skill, innovation or a fresh approach.

Relevance to LAVA’s Curatorial Vision (20%)

  • The idea responds to place, people, or contemporary regional identity, or contributes something unique to the festival.

Feasibility & Readiness (20%)

  • The project can realistically be delivered within the timeline, budget and site requirements.

Engagement & Accessibility (20%)

  • The project contributes to a diverse and vibrant program and considers the experience of audiences.

Regional Benefit (10%)

  • Preference is given to artists from the Tweed/Northern Rivers or projects that build community connection.

Our panel will assess applications based on:
• Artistic quality and originality
• Feasibility and readiness to deliver
• Audience engagement and accessibility
• Contribution to a diverse and balanced festival program


Selection Process

EOI.1 : 3 x artists projects will be selected through an external panel made up from professional art practitioners. 

EOI.2:  Creative Caldera Committee and LAVA Festival Director will lead this selection process for inclusion of each individual's needs and requests. We will do out utmost to fill the needs and requires of what is hoped for but can not guarantee everyone's inclusion. 



Project proposals will be considered by;


  1. Contemporary / Commissioned EOIs

• Artistic merit and innovation.

• Alignment with LAVA’s identity (bold, participatory, place-responsive).

• Feasibility (budget, timeline, delivery).

• Audience engagement and impact.

• Diversity of art forms and voices (emerging/established, cultural perspectives).


  1. Traditional / Self-Organised EOIs

• Professionalism and readiness to self-organise (venue confirmed, group formed).

• Quality of artistic practice.

• Contribution to community participation and visibility of local artists.

• Suitability of venue and accessibility for audiences.

• Commitment to paying exhibition fees (sustainability).


  Across Both EOIs

• Balance of traditional and contemporary practices.

• Geographic spread across Murwillumbah and surrounding hubs.

• Diversity of formats (exhibitions, workshops, performances, studios, street activations).

• Accessibility and inclusivity (cultural, disability, kids vs adult workshops).

LAVA CURATORIAL VISION — Contemporary, Regional, Regenerative

Theme Tagline: ‘New Landscape’

Core Themes

  • Place-based contemporary practice

  • Transformation (lava metaphor)
    Post-flood renewal + regional resilience

  • First Nations sovereignty and storytelling

  • Emerging voices

  • Experimental + interdisciplinary practice

  • Accessibility + community inclusion

LAVA Curatorial Principles

  1. Quality before quantity

  2. Regional artists first
    Innovative use of non-traditional spaces

  3. Balancing experimental work with accessible experiences

  4. Strong First Nations leadership

  5. Environmental sustainability

  6. Youth engagement as a pathway to future festival growth

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