2025 Performer Applications -

Performer Applications for the 2025 National Folk Festival, 17 - 21 April

We're thrilled that you are applying for the 2025 National Folk Festival! As seasoned participants in the festival process, we understand the excitement and effort that goes into these applications. Our goal is to make this process straightforward, open-ended, and meaningful for both you and us. We greatly appreciate the time and energy you dedicate to preparing your content, and we look forward to reviewing each application as we build an outstanding Festival for our community to enjoy!

Artistic Directors Chris, Holly and Michael.  

WE WANT YOU! 

A diversity of artists and groups makes up the heart of the National Folk Festival: musicians, dancers, poets, visual artists, circus performers and street artists among them. In particular, we are looking for acts who align with our Festival ethos of empowering people to create and celebrate together. 

The National Folk Festival encourages our First Nations Peoples, our LGBTQI+ community, people from a non English speaking background, and people living with disabilities to apply.

WHAT ARE WE LOOKING FOR?

In particular, we are looking for acts who align with our Festival ethos of empowering people to create and celebrate together.
Artists and groups who share our passion for the Festival ethos, and can articulate how their proposal addresses our four principles: 
  • 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). 
PREVIOUS FESTIVAL PERFORMANCES
  • 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. 
FEE REQUESTS AND PAYMENT DETAILS 

On the application form you will be asked to state your requested fee, with an option to provide a breakdown or explanation.
  • Booked artists and groups are paid an all-inclusive fee, covering travel, accommodation, and other costs, unless explicitly negotiated. Include these costs in your fee requests as necessary. The National Folk Festival provides camping for all booked artists and groups (BYO camping gear).
  • Artists and groups receiving a fee must provide their own Public Liability Insurance. 
You will also be asked to indicate if you are a: 
  • 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. 
In addition, Australian artists and groups will get an additional 11.5% of their performer fees as superannuation where applicable. 

Applications close: 28th July, 5pm. 

FOR MORE INFORMATION  
  • 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.   
Monday 8 July 2024 - 6pm
NEW TIME: Monday 15 July 7pm - Dance specific
Monday 22nd July 2024 - 6pm