Creative opportunities

DJ Performance Wanjun Carpenter

Lake Macquarie is bursting at the seams with artists and creatives always eager for new opportunities to expand and develop their creative practice.

A list of current opportunities can be found below. Join our Creative Lake Mac newsletter to be the first to hear about new opportunities.


Lake Mac Meet the Makers

Applications are now open for the inaugural Lake Mac Meet the Makers event at the Museum of Art and Culture, yapang (MAC yapang) on Saturday 8 June 2024.

This cultural event is part of the annual Dobell Festival and provides local artists the opportunity to participate in a new event that will promote local artists and their creative practice.

Applications close 10 March 2024.

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Float Your Boat designs

Lake Macquarie Council is seeking expressions of interest from Hunter-based artists to design and create engaging lighting displays for Float Your Boat in 2024.

There are three commissions to be awarded with a budget of $3,000 for each successful artist.

Expressions of interest close 8 April.

Learn more(PDF, 435KB)

Apply now


Toronto Foreshore upgrades

Council is seeking proposals for First Nations designs for the built environment for the Toronto Foreshore upgrades. The final designs will be included in the built environment including, pathways, seating, and concrete, stone and wooden structures.

The total budget is $15,000 and applications close 18 March.

Learn more

Apply now


Wangi Wangi Owl project

Council is seeking proposals from local Lake Macquarie artists to paint original designs on a larger-than-life owl for the annual Dobell Festival.

The owl will be painted in a public space in Wangi Wangi over the weekend of 1-2 June 2024.

The budget for the successful artist is $2,500. Applications close 11 March.

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Young Dobell competition

In celebration of the Lake Macquarie Dobell Festival, Lake Macquarie City Council is inviting budding artists aged 5–18 to participate in the Young Dobell competition.

Young Dobell competition participants are encouraged to create either a portrait of a person or pet who plays a significant role in their life, or a landscape artwork of a place that is special to them. The competition is open to young people throughout the Hunter region, including Lake Macquarie, Newcastle, Port Stephens, Maitland and broader Hunter Valley areas.

Competition entries close 5pm Monday 20 May.

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Expressions of interest - Multi-Arts Pavilion, mima workshops and residencies

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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yapang Arts Placements - Museum of Art and Culture, yapang

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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Expressions of interest - Museum of Art and Culture, yapang

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 @ Lake Mac Libraries

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.

Learn more