• Excellence in artistic vibrancy and community engagement.   
• Integration between performers and audiences, fostering creative participation.  
• Inclusivity ensuring all feel welcomed, with a diversity of perspectives showcased.  
• Sustainability, developing folk communities and cultures to nurture excellence year after year. 

We would prefer if artists are:

• available for at least a three-day period during the Festival (most artists/groups perform across three consecutive days) 
• willing to engage in activities that integrate performers and audiences (workshops, sessions, collaborations, forums, flash performances, interviews, or other creative ideas. Most artists/groups will have two engagements per scheduled day). 
• prioritising live performance over recorded music (e.g., we prefer live music for dance or circus acts. If you need help finding live musicians, let us know in your application). 

• If you've never performed at the Festival or haven't appeared recently, we particularly encourage you to apply.
• If you have appeared at the Festival in recent years please describe what will be different about this year’s proposal.
• The Festival may book and confirm a selection of performers prior to the closing date, so we encourage you to apply early. 
  

• Professional artist/s with an ABN or Hobby Form (Statement by Supplier): we have a minimum performance fee of $250 per day per artist, three days minimum. You may request a higher fee. If you expect to be paid, and to be programmed to perform on a stage for a paying audience, please select this option.
• Large group/community group (choirs, dance groups, street bands etc): there is no minimum fee. However, you may still request a fee where appropriate. Any artist fees to individuals (e.g. choir conductor), attracts the minimum fee of $250 per day per artist. 
• Professional artist/s wishing to support an emerging artist: if you would like to donate a performance fee to support emerging artists, you are welcome to. This will not affect our selection process, and you can still apply for other costs to be met. 
• Session musician (Pickers tickets): if you or your group would like to lead sessions and receive a Festival ticket/s. You do not need performance video or social media links to apply for these tickets, a simple phone video recording of you doing your thing at home or at session is all we need.  
• Young Folk: if you consider yourself an emerging artist, and the majority of members in your group are under 25, you can apply to perform one concert in a Young Folk Showcase and receive a Festival ticket/s. You may also apply as a Professional Artist and we will consider both applications. 

• If you have any questions you can be in touch with us by emailing artistic.director@folkfestival.org.au.
• Please include your questions and contact details, and send them by 5pm, 25th July at the latest.
• We will also be holding information online sessions at the following times, where any questions can be asked. Sign up to our mailing list and connect with us through our socials to receive further details.