New Wave - Emerging Artist EOI 2026

Submissions are now being accepted. Submissions close at midnight (end of day) 17 July 2026 (AEST).

About this opportunity

RANT Arts is seeking three emerging artists aged 18–25 to join New Wave Devonport, a multi-artform digital project that will create a large-scale sound and light work, with a water theme, for the Tidal Festival in January 2027.

This is a paid creative development opportunity. Selected artists will receive mentoring from experienced Tasmanian artists and arts workers as they develop original work drawn from their own stories, identity and artform practice.

The finished work will be presented on the Devonport waterfront using the city’s purpose-built sound and light infrastructure as part of the Tidal Festival on 21–22 January 2027.

About RANT Arts

RANT Arts is a Devonport-based arts organisation with grassroots origins. We work with communities, artists and cross-sector organisations across Tasmania and beyond. Our focus is community development, regional arts, youth, and health and wellbeing. We administer the Federal Regional Arts Fund in Tasmania and run programs that build creative capacity across the state.

Key details

  • Positions available: 3
  • Artist fee: $5,000 (inclusive of superannuation and travel)
  • Project period: July 2026 – January 2027
  • Presentation dates: 21–22 January 2027, Devonport waterfront
  • Location: Devonport, TAS (with remote participation during development)
  • EOI closes: Friday 3rd July 11:59pm

Eligibility

To be eligible you must:

  • Be aged 18–25 at the time of application
  • Be based in Northern Tasmania, in the following Local Government Areas: Break O’Day, Burnie, Central Coast, Circular Head, Devonport, Dorset, Flinders Island, George Town, Kentish, King Island, Latrobe, Launceston, Meander Valley, Northern Midlands, Waratah-Wynyard and West Tamar.
  • Be an emerging artist — someone early in your creative practice, whether self-taught or formally trained, aged between 18-25 years.
  • Be available for the full project period, including the Tidal Festival presentation dates of 21–22 January 2027 (specific times and dates negotiable)

Artform disciplines

We welcome applications from artists working in any artform discipline. 

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to be a professional artist to apply?

No. This opportunity is specifically for emerging artists. You may be self-taught, studying, or have some early experience in your practice. 

What does the $5,000 fee cover?

The flat fee of $5,000 is inclusive of superannuation, travel and covers your time across the full project, including mentoring sessions, creative development, workshops and delivery of your creative materials. You will be contracted as a paid artist.

Do I need to be in Devonport for the whole project?

Not the whole time. You will need to attend some initial project development meetings in Devonport in person. Most of the creative development work can be done remotely, with regular catch-ups via Zoom and by negotiation. You will need to be available in Devonport for the Tidal Festival presentation on 21–22 January 202, with specific times and dates to be confirmed.

What will the mentoring look like?

You will receive individual and group mentoring from experienced artists and arts workers throughout the project, including regular Zoom check-ins and creative development sessions. The project is designed to build your skills and confidence as an artist.

I have more questions — who can I contact?

Please reach out to Jaikira Grundy at RANT Arts. Contact details are provided below.

Email: jaikira@rantarts.com Phone: 03 6411 6891 or book a time for a call back