Hillscene LIVE

08/02/2026

Emerging artist? Mid-career? We want you both.

Our ethos at hillsceneLIVE is to program a mixture of experience levels into each year's festival. This program is designed to support creatives at all stages to present bold new work in a nurturing, risk-positive environment.

And you don't have to live in the Dandenong Ranges to apply—artists from anywhere are welcome. While we encourage attendance at our in-person creative development sessions, your ability to attend won't affect your acceptance into the program.

Ready to stretch your practice? Complete an EOI by February 8, 2026.

Each year we provoke artists with a theme that stems from the creative climate and this year will be no different. The hsL team will support artists and groups of artists to create a new performance work to be presented as part of the 2026 hsL: ...AT A S

07/02/2026

"To stretch is to lean beyond comfort, to reach into the unknown, to test the boundaries of what is possible. It is a practice of resilience, risk, and reinvention—in movement, in thought, in art." — Roderick Price, Festival Director

This year, we're asking artists to explore what it means to strain, expand, and grow under pressure. To occupy the spaces between structure and collapse, presence and absence, form and flux.

hillsceneLIVE 2026 is a site for thresholds. A platform for process. A festival that lives in the space between stability and the unknown. We welcome work that trembles, resists, questions, and unfolds.

Let this theme pull you, guide you, provoke you.
Expressions of interest open until February 8, 2026.

Learn more and apply:
https://www.hillscenelive.com/artist-information-2026.html

07/02/2026

"Do I have to have a fully realized idea to apply?"

Absolutely not! In fact, we encourage you to apply even if your concept is still forming. hillsceneLIVE provides 4 months of creative development with support from our entire team—producers, production managers, marketing experts, and design support.
We've seen so many artists transform their initial spark into something extraordinary through our program.

If you're not sure whether your idea is "ready," get in touch with Festival Director Roderick Price at [email protected]. We'd love to chat about your vision.

Applications closing 11.59pm 8 Feb.

Each year we provoke artists with a theme that stems from the creative climate and this year will be no different. The hsL team will support artists and groups of artists to create a new performance work to be presented as part of the 2026 hsL: ...AT A S

07/02/2026

What does hillsceneLIVE offer artists?

We know that creating bold new work requires support. That's why every selected artist receives:

⚡ access to 4 creative development sessions
⚡ $250 stipend
⚡ your own producer
⚡ technical support
⚡ marketing across
⚡ venue for your performance
⚡ full documentation of your work.

But more than that? You get a creative team that isn't afraid of risk-taking art. You get space to delve into that idea that's been calling you. You get a community that believes in the work that rarely gets support elsewhere.

Sound like what you need? EOIs Applications closing 11.59pm 8 Feb.

01/01/2026

hillsceneLIVE supports ALL types of performance art

Over the years, we've presented: live bug collections, durational installations, kinetic sculptures, site-responsive dance, noise performances, silk performances in trees, curated walks about death, puppet shows about feminism, and so much more.

The only requirement? Your work needs to contain an element of live-ness—whether that's live performance from you as the artist or live interaction for the audience.

We especially love supporting artists exploring new mediums and unconventional collaborations. Dancers performing monologues. Musicians creating installations. Collaborations you don't often see.

If you're exploring the unconventional, we want to support you. EOIs open until February 8, 2026.

28/12/2025

...AT A STRETCH invites artists to explore what it means to lean beyond comfort, to test boundaries, and to create in the space between structure and transformation. We're looking for bold, risky, unconventional work that trembles with possibility.

Whether you're a folk singing scientist, a dancer wanting to try monologue, or someone with an unhinged idea you've been sitting on—we want to hear from you.

EOIs close February 8, 2026.

Complete your expression of interest:
https://www.hillscenelive.com/artist-information-2026.html

📽️ Excerpt of CLOMB by PONY CAM at hsL 2020: FLIRTING THE PRECIPICE

30/11/2025

Call-out: Artists for hillsceneLIVE 2026 — “…AT A STRETCH”

hillsceneLIVE wants the bold, the bent, the beautifully unhinged. For hsL 2026, we’re diving into the tension point — the snap, the wobble, the risky stretch where new performance visions take shape. If your work sweats, glitches, hums, unravels or rebuilds itself in real time… we want to see it.

What you’ll get:

⚡ Four development sessions to push, twist, test and re-shape your idea
⚡Creative guidance from the hsL team
⚡A supported live presentation at the festival
⚡Production manager, tech and documentation
⚡Marketing, promo assets + a $250 artist stipend
⚡A spot in hillsceneLIVE on Saturday 29 August 2026

Key Dates:

• EOIs open: 1 Dec 2025
• EOIs close: 8 Feb 2026

Who can apply?
Emerging, mid-career, cross-disciplinary, hyper-local, intergalactic… all welcome. No finished work needed — just a spark with the courage to grow.

Ready to stretch?

https://www.hillscenelive.com/artist-information-2026.html

hillsceneLIVE is proudly supported by Burrinja and Yarra Ranges Council

📸 Tahlia Heitmann

29/04/2025

🌟💭Dream of being behind the scenes of a bold, brilliant festival?

We're looking for a Production Manager to help bring an innovative arts program — including a wild weekend festival — to life.

You'll work alongside brave artists, passionate Producers, and the Festival Director to design, plan, and deliver unforgettable performances, installations, and activations. Expect hands-on action, real creative collaboration, and the chance to lead a team of technicians and volunteers.

If you’re a master of lighting, sound, AV, and staging — and you thrive under pressure — we want to hear from you. On-site and remote work. Contract role. Big vibes.

✨ Gain professional experience.
✨ Connect with extraordinary humans.
✨ Fuel your love for the arts.

🔗 Learn more: https://www.hillscenelive.com/opportunities.html

28/04/2025

🎨✨ Got an unacceptably large love for the arts?

Dreaming of getting hands-on with the design, planning and delivery of a bold, brilliant arts program — including a weekend festival?

hillsceneLIVE 2025–26 is calling for a Marketing and Communications Collaborator.

Work alongside passionate creatives, support brave artists, and help shape the voice of one of the region’s most exciting contemporary arts festivals.

This contract role is part on-site, part remote, and fully alive with possibility: from crafting social content to collaborating with artists and building real-world experience in marketing, media and community engagement.

If you’re a sharp storyteller, social media whiz, and arts-lover ready to connect with incredible people — we want you!

🔗 Learn more: https://www.hillscenelive.com/opportunities.html



📸 Portraits by Andy

27/04/2025

Calling all bold dreamers and art-lovers! 🎭🎨✨

Want hands-on experience designing, planning and delivering a fearless arts program (including a weekend festival)?

Buzz with excitement at the idea of supporting brave artists and wild creative minds?

We want to hear from you! hillsceneLIVE is offering internships in:
🎭 Artist Producing
🎯 Audience Development & Engagement
🏗️ Site Development & Technical Production
💥 Fundraising & Project Management

You'll work closely with the hillsceneLIVE Creative Leadership Team across the 2025–26 program.

Download the Internship Info Pack and Let’s make magic happen. ✨

🔗 Learn more: https://www.hillscenelive.com/opportunities.html



📸 Portraits by And

20/03/2025

Great opportunity for first Nations artists (paid)... closing soon

Reconciliation Week 2025 Exhibition Call Out Seeking expressions of interest from First Nations artists, working in any medium to create and present an exhibition that highlights local land connections. Cardinia Shire Council is seeking expressions of interest from First Nations artists to create an...