Arts House is a creative home nourishing artists’ agency and ambition. We develop and present new work in all forms.
CultureLAB is our creative development program that supports independent artists, collectives, and small-medium organisations to create new work. CultureLAB is one of the pathways through which Arts House commissions work for our presentation seasons.
We work with mid-career and/or established artists from across a range of disciplines – music, theatre, performance, dance, visual art, digital art, experimental practice, relational projects, and anything between or beyond these mediums. Projects can be at any stage of development, and we can support in-person, hybrid, and digital proposals.
Read about the artists and projects we have worked with across CultureLAB in 2019/2020 , 2022/2023, 2023/2024 and the current cohort for 2024/25.
To learn more about what drives our programming and curatorial decisions, read about our commitments to inclusion via our Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2023-2028 and Equity—Builder.
Selected projects receive fees, studio time, technical equipment and expertise to support the development of new work.
Key Dates
- EOIs opened: Thursday 5 September, 9am AEST
- Online information session: Wednesday 25 September, 5.30pm AEST
- Venue tour and morning tea: Thursday 26 September, 10am AEST
- EOI’s closed: Wednesday 23 October, 3pm AEDT
- Notifications: Friday 13 December
Information sessions and EOI support
Arts House EOI Info Session – on Zoom
Held on Wednesday 25 September, 5.30pm
Morning Tea and Venue Tour – in person at Arts House
Held on Thursday 26 September, 10am
Click here for more information and to register.
EOI Support with Arts Access Victoria
Arts Access Victoria is available to provide EOI support to Deaf and Disabled artists during the call out period. Contact Sarah Fiddaman (Monday – Thursday) sfiddaman@artsaccess.com.au or phone 03 8640 6007 (voice only) to arrange.
Key Downloads
- Frequently Asked Questions in PDF | in Word
- Easy English Program Guide
- Download budget template in Excel
- View venue information and accessibility – PDF | Word
- Audio about CultureLAB
Selected projects receive:
- Up to $20,000 fee contribution
- Dedicated studio time between 2 and 4 weeks duration
- Access to Arts House technical equipment, and expertise support from Arts House producers and production staff
Arts House has a variety of spaces, suitable for a variety of purposes: research, rehearsal, technical experimentation and more. CultureLABs have a process-led, and flexible format.
We want you to apply in the format that is easiest for you. You can submit these formats through the SmartyGrants EOI system:
- Written
- Video
- Auslan (we can arrange interpretation of your video if needed)
- Audio
Please note that a proposed budget must be included to assess project viability. Download the budget template in Excel
Submit your EOI through SmartyGrants
Please contact us prior to the closing date to submit your EOI outside of the SmartyGrants system or via a recorded Zoom for access reasons.
Arts House makes decisions in consultation with a panel of local and national artistic peers:
- Bruno Booth
- Bernadette Fam
- Riana Head-Toussaint
- Thomas E.S. Kelly
- Monica Lim
They will recommend projects that respond strongly to the selection criteria:
- Artistic concept
- Embrace risk-taking and experimentation
- Viability
If you have read our documents and attended the Info Session but still have questions, please contact:
Varsha Ramesh
Acting Creative Producer
varsha.ramesh@melbourne.vic.gov.au
0422 242 483 (text only) 03 9322 3720 (voice only) during business hours Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm.
Tish Brennan-Steers
Associate Producer
tish.brennan-steers@melbourne.vic.gov.au
03 9322 3720 (voice only) during business Tuesday – Friday 9am – 5pm.
National Relay Service (NRS)
TTY users: phone 13 36 77 – then ask for – 03 9322 3720
Speak and Listen users: phone 1300 555 727 – then ask for – 03 9322 3720
Internet relay users: connect to the NRS (www.internet-relay.nrscall.gov.au) – then type in – 03 9322 3720
Image credit: Weredingo by Karul Projects, photo by Tiffany Garvie
Image description: Four performers face each other; they are mid-leap into the air with their knees raised. Beams of light shine on them. The image is cropped and positioned inside a bold rectangle.
Related News & Insights:
