Paid Opportunity

This stream supports Three (3x) professional artists in the Tweed Shire. This is an opportunity for a local artist to present new and experimental work. This may include performance, installation, conceptual, participatory, visual art forms or multimedia. Successful applicants will receive a paid stipend for Research and Development with curatorial support to present their project.

What LAVA provides: Artist R&D Stipend, materials allowance, curatorial support, venue facilitation, project management, marketing and promotion.

Key features:

• No fee to apply or exhibit.

• Works should be bold, innovative, and engage audiences.

• Artists must demonstrate feasibility within budget (can include other income) and timeline.

• $1,200.00 - Stipend for Research and Development

Suitable for:

• Installation, conceptual or experimental work

• Performance and live art

• Digital, video or sound-based work

• First Nations-led creative projects

• Place-responsive projects designed for Murwillumbah and surrounds.

ARTISTS WILL BE NOTIFIED IN LATE FEBRUARY 2026.

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT STAGE - APRIL 2026

Self-organised and self-funded

This stream supports artists from Tweed Shire or based in the Northern Rivers with a connection to Tweed e.g. project content or community engagement, working in all art forms (e.g. visual arts, performance, participatory, projections etc).

Applicants are encouraged to form groups and secure their own venues.

LAVA may be able to group single artists in venues suited to festival curation, depending on site availability. Preference will be given to group and single artist applicants with secured venues. 

Exhibitions sales will be managed by participating artists for the duration of the festival weekend. No commission will be taken by LAVA or Creative Caldera.

What LAVA provides:

Program listing, marketing, festival signage, advice on venues if required, inclusion in closing VIP party.

Key features on acceptance:

• Individual artists pay a participation fee of $50 pp (covering venue/program delivery costs).

• Artist Groups/Collectives/Organisations of more than 3 persons pay a fee of $150 (Open to group shows, group displays or open studios.)

• Proposed venues must be accessible and open during festival dates.

Suitable for:

• Exhibitions in community halls

• Shop-front activations

• Open Art Studios

• Performance and dance

• Design, craft and community art

• Youth-led projects

• Multimedia and Experimental Arts

ARTISTS WILL BE NOTIFIED IN MARCH 2026

LAVA is looking for venues in Murwillumbah and the Tweed Shire to contribute space and offerings to artists for LAVA 2026.

Venues may include but not limited to;

• Galleries

• Local Businesses

• Shop Front Windows

• Vacant Shops

• Barns and Sheds

• Farms and Property