Expression Of Interest 2027
Vivid Sydney First Nations Light Accelerator Opportunity
Have you ever looked at the bright lights of Vivid Sydney and wondered what it would be like to create an installation of your own? To see people interacting with an idea you brought to life, or experience a story that has been shared through your Mob for generations?
What would it look like to transform your culture, creativity, and imagination into light?
Awesome Black are partnering with Vivid Sydney and a professional design studio to help make that happen. This is your chance to develop an original concept, learn from industry experts, and bring your vision to life. No more wondering, now’s your opportunity to create.
In the first half of 2027, participating artists will build their skills and develop their creative practice while learning what it takes to turn an idea into a large-scale light installation. Through the Accelerator, artists will be supported to explore, test and refine an original idea and develop it into a Vivid Light-ready proposal that could be submitted for consideration through the Vivid Sydney 2028 Expression of Interest process.
About the opportunity
The First Nations Light Accelerator empowers First Nations artists to transform stories, ideas, and cultural knowledge into light. Through mentorship from leading motion and design studios, participants gain the skills, connections, and support needed to develop concepts for Vivid Sydney. The program creates meaningful pathways for Mob to participate in future festivals, building lasting opportunities for First Nations voices to be seen, celebrated, and experienced through public art.
What you'll get
- Paid $18K gross (including applicable taxes and superannuation)
- Dedicated mentorship and creative development support from experienced industry professionals.
- Support to develop an original light concept, including guidance on how an idea can evolve into a large-scale public artwork.
- Practical insight into the creative, technical and production processes behind light installations and public art.
- Opportunities to build your professional network and connections across the creative, design and events industries.
- Development of your creative practice, with new skills and experience that can be applied to future commissions and opportunities.
- The opportunity to work towards potential inclusion in Vivid Sydney 2028 via the Vivid Light Expression of Interest process, opening in June/July 2027.
Who we're looking for
The program is open to First Nations artists and creatives who are passionate about light, technology, and storytelling. Whether you’re an emerging practitioner exploring new creative pathways, an artist working in traditional mediums who wants to expand into animation or light art, or someone already developing digital skills but unsure how to navigate the application process, this program is designed to support you. It’s also for those with great ideas who simply need the right collaborators and guidance to bring them to life.
Participants must be willing and able to spend up to two days per week over a four-month period in the first half of 2027 working alongside a studio-based creative team.
Applicants must identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander and be based in Sydney.
Submitting an expression of interest
Key dates:
- Expressions of interest open: Monday 12 October
- Expressions of interest close: 5pm Monday 9 November 2026
- Successful participants will be notified: Friday 27 November 2026
Submission checklist:
- Full name and phone number
- A short artist bio (up to 250 words)
- Please tell us about you, your practice, and your desired outcomes for this project (up to 500 words).
- Detail what professional success and artwork success look like to you (up to 500 words).
- Up to three previous works as images, videos (public links) or PDFs – maximum 5MB per attachment.
- A brief pitch for a project you would like to see appear in the light program at a future Vivid Sydney event (one A4 page including images and text)
- Name and contact details for two referees or two letters of recommendation.
Send your email to submissions@awesomeblack.studio with all items in the checklist above. Only submissions with all checklist items will be considered.
Selection Criteria:
- Evidence of creative talent, demonstrated through a portfolio, creative projects, exhibitions, study, or other artistic experience.
- Commitment to developing a career in the arts and a willingness to learn, grow, and take on new opportunities.
- Ability to work collaboratively, contribute positively to a team environment, and communicate effectively.
- Initiative, reliability, and organisational skills, including the ability to manage time, follow through on tasks, and make the most of the experience.
- Willingness to abide by the Terms and Conditions for applications to Vivid Sydney Expressions Of Interest.
During the assessment process, Awesome Black may contact you directly to further discuss your application.
While we are grateful for every application received, we regret that we are unable to respond individually to all applicants.
All applicants are required to read the following documents prior to applying:
About Vivid Sydney
Vivid Sydney is the world’s largest festival of light, food and culture, lighting up Sydney each year into a colourful canvas of Light, Music, Minds and Food programming.
Vivid Sydney transforms the city’s icons and streets with the Vivid Light Walk – a free trail of Light projections and installations across the Harbour foreshore.
Plus, Vivid Music electrifies venues across Sydney with live music; Vivid Minds inspires with talks, art and immersive events from innovative thinkers and creatives; and Vivid Food serves up fresh flavours and unforgettable, unique dining experiences.
Vivid Sydney is owned, managed and produced by Destination NSW, the NSW Government's tourism and major events agency.
About Awesome Black
Awesome Black is a creative consultancy and studio committed to transforming contemporary culture through a First Nations perspective. We are artists, storytellers and cultural thinkers who infuse a fresh, dynamic approach into creative projects. Our work spans various mediums, including large-scale immersive and live experiences, audio and visual storytelling, and curatorial, strategic and cultural consulting.
