Creative opportunities

The Lake House Artist Residency program is an initiative of Lake Macquarie City Council. It offers artists, curators and creatives the space and time to create and develop new work.

Council offers two Artist Residency programs

1. Self-funded
2. Council-funded.

Download the prospectus and apply online at Lake House Artist Residency.

First Class is an annual exhibition celebrating outstanding HSC work produced by local students in the previous year. 

We are inviting creatives aged 12-24 years to be part of a Youth Artisan Market to showcase, locally hand-crafted goods that are original and creative.

• Each stall holder will be provided with a space within the MAC marquee that includes a 1.8m trestle table.
• There is no charge to apply or exhibit, but there are limited spaces available.
• Lake Macquarie City Council can cover a limited number of stall holders under our public liability insurance.
• Please note that all stalls are unpowered. 

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Lake Macquarie City Council is seeking proposals from two local Lake Macquarie Artists to sculpt unique and durable owls to become part of our contemporary Wangi Wangi Public Art Owl Trail.

The meaning of the word " wanji wanji’ is the traditional name in the Awabakal language it is not known for certain, but it has been documented to mean the place of "many night owls” which has been the inspiration for the Wangi Wangi Owl trail.

These newly commissioned Owls will be installed in public space and launched during the annual Dobell Festival in June 2025. This project seeks to acknowledge, strengthen, and celebrate the Wangi Wangi community.

Expressions of interest may be lodged with Cultural Projects Curator Charlotte Hilder [email protected].

Download the EOI(PDF, 306KB)

Be part of the festival!

Council is seeking Expressions of Interest (EOI) from local creative individuals, community groups and organisations to be a part of the 2025 festival.

The community led events/activities will enhance the festival’s program of events coordinated by Council. These will include workshops, exhibitions, performances, and experiences that will support the festival’s themes.

Visual and performing artists, musicians, theatre groups, galleries and others are welcome to submit a proposal. This could be a one-off performance, an exhibition, workshop or another type of program or event that supports the festival’s theme.

Applications open: Friday 6 December 2024

Applications close: Sunday 9 February 2025

Successful applicants notified: Friday 14 February 2025

If you have any enquiries about the EOI process or application form, contact Arts, Culture and Tourism administration artsculture&[email protected].

Apply now

Ahoy there! Are you interested in getting involved in Float Your Boat? Whether you're a boatie or a friend of a boat owner, we are looking for participants to join the flotilla parade in 2025.

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The Multi-Arts Pavilion, mima (MAP mima) is a place of experimentation, skill building and creation. Each year it offers workshops and residencies for all artists.

MAP mima acts as a cultural activator, creating opportunities to present immersive digital art experiences, stage alternative theatre programs, music performances, workshops and screenings. As an agile and flexible venue in a high-use location, MAP mima provides a significant platform to present contemporary multi-arts productions to new audiences.

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The yapang Arts Placement at the Museum of Art and Culture, yapang is a pathway for First Nations creatives into the arts.

Lake Macquarie City Council offers support for curatorial projects, public programs, arts education, digital arts, documentation, design and marketing. Your placement can focus on an area of interest or enable you to explore various aspects of arts.

Applications are currently open on a rolling basis.

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We welcome expressions of interest from artists, curators and groups who would like to develop an exhibition, for the Museum of Art and Culture, yapang.

The Museum aims to provide a high quality and balanced program. The Museum of Art and Culture, yapang is committed to supporting First Nations and Hunter-based artists and fosters insightful contemporary art.

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Launchpad is an engaging exhibition program for local creatives to showcase their works to the community. 

The exhibition is held across five Lake Mac Libraries branches - Belmont, Toronto, Charlestown, Wangi and Swansea, providing a space for students, emerging artists and community art groups to present their works for public viewing.

Applications will be considered by Launchpad@Lake Mac Libraries that best reflect the objectives of the program.

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