BEFORE YOU BEGIN 

The Expression of Interest for YIRRAMBOI Commissions 2027 is now open. 

Before completing this EOI, please ensure you have read the guidelines below. 

Since 2017, YIRRAMBOI has been a platform for the future of First Nations arts. Now in its fifth iteration, YIRRAMBOI Commissions return to uncover and world premiere bold new works for YIRRAMBOI Festival 2027. 

YIRRAMBOI invite Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander artists, collectives, community groups and arts organisations based in Victoria to submit an Expression of Interest. YIRRAMBOI Commissions may be any art form including theatre, dance, music, visual art, multi-art form and experimental practice. Projects may be at any stage of development, however must be fully realised for presentation by May 2027. 

Selected artists will receive a commissioning fee of $17,000 for creative development and $17,000 for presentation, totalling $34,000.  

YIRRAMBOI have a strong commitment to Victorian First Peoples, d/Deaf, Disabled, neurodivergent, and regional artists.  

Expressions of Interest close on Sunday 19 October, midnight AEST 

Who can apply? 

• Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander artists based in Victoria 
• Independent artists, collectives, community groups or arts organisations
• Artists working with a producer or with experience in producing their own projects 

Artists who have previously been awarded a YIRRAMBOI Commission are unable to apply. 

How do I apply?

You can submit an Expression of Interest in the format that is easiest for you. You can submit the following formats through the Smarty Grants EOI system: 

• Written 
• Video
• Auslan
• Audio 

Other methods of submitting include a phone call or online meeting that is transcribed by us. If you prefer to submit this way, please contact Emily Wells on emily.wells@melbourne.vic.gov.au or 0429 228 837. 

If your project is shortlisted, you will be invited to pitch your project to the selection panel in person or online. 

What do I need to apply?

The types of questions asked in the Expression of Interest include: 

• A title and summary for your project 
• A brief bio of the artist or group applying
• A creative development timeline including any previous and planned developments. This should include a work in progress showing by Dec 2026.
• A budget showing how you will use the $34,000 commissioning fee including artist fees, production costs and accessibility considerations.
• Examples of your previous work 

If you have any questions or would like to discuss your submission, please contact Emily Wells, Executive Producer on emily.wells@melbourne.vic.gov.au or 0429 228 837. 

Frequently Asked Questions are available on the YIRRAMBOI website.

Tips for using SmartyGrants: 

• If you are a first time user of the City of Melbourne's SmartyGrants portal, you will need to register as a new user. 
• Continually use the ‘Save Progress’ button at the bottom of each page so you don’t accidentally lose all your work. 
• Before logging out, use the 'Save and Close' button to save your progress and return to it later. Next time you log in, click on “My Submissions” at the top of the page to find your saved EOI. 
• If you wish to download a PDF of your partially completed EOI, head to the Form Navigation panel on the right-hand side then click “Review and Submit’. You may use either of the ‘Download PDF’ buttons at the top or bottom of the page. (Make sure you don’t accidentally press ‘Submit’!) 
• Submissions are final. No further editing or uploading of support material will be possible after submission. 
• You will know your EOI has been successfully submitted when you receive a confirmation email with a copy of your completed EOI. 
• If you do not receive a confirmation email, this means we have not received your EOI. Go back to the form and make sure to press ‘Submit’ at the bottom of the ‘Review and Submit’ section. 

For more tips and tricks on navigating SmartyGrants, use the SmartyGrants Help Guide. 

If you experience technical issues using this form, contact the SmartyGrants Help Desk on (03) 9320 6888 during business hours or email service@smartygrants.com.au and quote your application reference number. 

If you have questions about YIRRAMBOI Commissions or would like to discuss your submission, contact Emily Wells, Executive Producer on emily.wells@melbourne.vic.gov.au or 0429 228 837.  

All the best you mob!