2026 Program Applications
Programming at La Mama: 2026 Applications Open
La Mama is not a venue for hire. Our programming is a considered and collaborative process that supports the slow development of work, as well as the personal and creative growth of artists.
In 2026, we introduce a revitalised programming structure designed to strengthen artist pathways and build on La Mama’s artist-led legacy - while responding to the current needs of artists, audiences, staffing, finances, and operations. This holistic model supports sustainability across the whole ecosystem.
Our Producer Model provides tailored support for artists, empowering them to understand where their work sits best within the La Mama framework and beyond. Programming decisions are guided by multiple curatorial voices including external rotating Assessors and Curators and Curators and internal Producers, with the Artistic Director leading the process.
We are deeply committed to transparency, equity, and the creation of new Australian work.
Through this process, La Mama will actively foster and support unheard voices, diversity, inclusion and equity of opportunity. We will not discriminate against individuals based on their backgrounds, characteristics or identities and are committed to rigorous reflection on any unconscious biases and our own positionality every step of the way.
This is the application process for PLAY (SCRATCH, EXPLORATIONS, IMMERSE), HOPE PUNK CLIMATE FESTIVAL, MELBOURNE FRINGE AT LA MAMA and CULTURAL CONSERVATION IN ACTION 2026.
THE MELBOURNE FESTIVAL OF PUPPETRY and FARADAYS will be programmed through separate processes.
LA MAMA PRESENTS is programmed through previous developments including PLAY.
See Program descriptions below and note that the artist deal varies pending funding and program focus.
PLAY (June - August)
PLAY is not about polish - it’s about potential and dares artists to risk, fuel experiment, and build the theatre of tomorrow. PLAY includes: SCRATCH, EXPLORATIONS and IMMERSE.
PLAY is supported by the Cybec Foundation, John T Reid Trusts, and the City of Melbourne Multi-year Arts Grants Program in partnership with Arts Centre Melbourne and Regional Arts Victoria.
Fast, raw and electric – SCRATCH is a live platform for performance makers to test new ideas in front of peers and community. A space for creative risk-taking, early development, and cross-pollination of ideas, it’s part lab, part launchpad – where creative sparks fly and where the seeds of tomorrow’s theatre are first tested live.
• 12 Artists (3 groups of 4) each share up to 10 minutes of work-in-progress, followed by feedback and discussion. Artists work in small cohorts over 3 weeks, in a guided process including supported preparation, work-in-progress showings and a debrief.
• Artists retain 100% of Box Office and are supported with a Stage Manager and Producer with in kind value estimated as $2000 per artist.
• SCRATCH will be curated by Producer Emma Fawcett with Artistic Director Caitlin Dullard. SCRATCH will be Produced by Emma Fawcett with support from Pathways Producer Myf Powell.
• This opportunity is appropriate for artists who have the seed, or start of an idea, who wish to test this with a live audience alongside peer and curatorial support before developing into a future full-length work.
SCRATCH is supported by CYBEC Foundation.
Running since the 1980s, EXPLORATIONS is La Mama’s iconic season of works in development – now more vital than ever. Artists are given three nights of public presentation to push boundaries, interrogate form, and chase bold ideas. Creating room for daring storytelling to flourish, EXPLORATIONS is La Mama at its most curious, critical and creative.
• 48 Artists/groups with three-night public sharing at HQ and Courthouse across June to August.
• Artists retain 100% of Box Office, with in-kind support to the value of $5000 and are supported with a Stage Manager and Producer.
• Curated by our annually rotating Explorations Curators. For 2026, this is Bernadette Fam, Roshelle Fong and Caitlin Dullard. Please note, in 2026 12 Explorations have been pre-programmed as part of La Mama's partnerships with tertiary organisations, La Mamica curation and honouring long-term conversations with artists who were unable to present in 2025. This application process is to find the remaining 36 projects - which will be curated by Bernadette, Roshelle and Caitlin. Pathways Manager Myf Powell will be coordinating EXPLORATIONS. The La Mama Producing team will be attached to Explorations best suited to the team’s future ambitions.
• This opportunity is appropriate for artists with capacity to do a 3-night public sharing of works that will benefit from test audiences to help shape their next stages of development.
EXPLORATIONS is supported by Cybec Foundation and the City of Melbourne Multi-year Arts Grants Program.
A deeply focused 12-week practice-led program for 16 mid-career writers ready to take their work to the next level. Building on PATHWAYS 2023, WRITING INTENSIVE 2024 and MOBILE CONNECT 2025, programs that revealed the power of peer exchange, mentorship, reaching beyond Melbourne, developing networks, skills, opportunities, and finding strength in a community of practice, IMMERSE is an opportunity to grow practice, deepen networks, and take the next bold step in theatre-making.
In 2026 IMMERSE partners with Arts Centre Melbourne’s New Writers Collective, offering shared guest artist sessions and theatre experiences, and Regional Arts Victoria, supporting regional artists to connect - broadening creative networks, peer exchange, and strengthening community across the sector.
Two fully subsidised streams run in parallel, meeting Monday evenings from 6-9pm from 1 June – 31 August culminating in a Pitching & Presentation Showcase at La Mama HQ connecting writers to producers, programmers and collaborators (online and in-person):
IMMERSE METRO - 8 writers in-person at La Mama HQ:
o Weekly in-person development sessions (3 hours)
o Peer exchange and collaborative workshops
o 15 hours of 1:1 dramaturgical mentorship
o Guest artist and industry sessions
o Subsidised theatre outings across Melbourne
IMMERSE REGIONAL - 8 writers online from regional and remote Victoria:
o Weekly online development sessions (3 hours)
o Peer exchange with regional writers across Victoria
o 15 hours of 1:1 dramaturgical mentorship
o Access to the online Guest Series from the Metro program
o Subsidised theatre trips to both metro and regional performances
IMMERSE applications will be assessed by program alumni. For 2026 this will be Amarantha Robinson and Lyall Brooks. They will work with Artistic Director Caitlin Dullard and Pathways Manager Myf Powell for final selection. IMMERSE is facilitated by the La Mama staff and coordinated by Pathways Manager Myf Powell.
IMMERSE is fully subsidised to the value of $8000 per participant, and free to participants.
This opportunity is appropriate for playwrights who are mid-career but under-produced, or established artists and/or writers pivoting towards playwriting - with a strong story to tell - to get their work ready for presentation.
IMMERSE is supported by the John T Reid Trusts and the Cybec Foundation in partnership with Arts Centre Melbourne and Regional Arts Victoria.
Embracing ‘hope’ as a verb and ‘punk’ as a culture, this is a platform for urgent storytelling and skills development in climate advocacy and action, empowering independent creatives and culture makers to contribute to the national climate conversation through art.
• Multiple festival works will take place across La Mama Courthouse and HQ.
• Each production will receive 80% of Box Office takings. Professional Development opportunities will be available for all programmed artists. Other support and estimated in kind value varies.
• HOPE PUNK will be curated by Artistic Director Caitlin Dullard with Producer Dora Abraham and La Mamica Curators Amanda Anastasi, Gemma Horbury and Isabel Knight.
• This opportunity is appropriate for artists who will have a high standard of work - across any artistic discipline - on climate action. A call to action and a lense of hope and optimism is necessary.
Hope Punk is presented in partnership with Learning Experiences Program Science Gallery Melbourne and Griffith University's Performance Ecology Research Lab (P+ERL)
La Mama leans into the local cultural moment that is Melbourne Fringe - a festival bursting with energy, ideas, and artistic momentum. It’s where the edges of art and audience blur, and possibility thrives. We meet that pace and play hard, embracing risk, provocation, and joy in equal measure.
• Six one-week seasons will take place across La Mama Courthouse and HQ. No venue sharing or need to bump in and out between performances. Full weeks with the option of late and extra performances.
• Each production receives Fringe registration and 80% of Box Office. Estimated in-kind value is $10,000 per production.
• Works are programmed by Fringe Producer Nicki Jam and Artistic Director Caitlin Dullard.
• This opportunity is appropriate for artists who will have a new Australian work Fringe-ready for October 2026. This work will have a fearless spirit, push boundaries, challenge, be bold and have something to say about the world that we live in.
The conservation of our First Nation's story, songs and dances are so crucial within our cultural cannon of artistic expression that each voice representing their story needs to be continually archived for future generations to understand the importance of what our storytellers are saying right now through their lived experiences.
• A combination of full seasons, one-off events and yarning circles
• The deal and in-kind value for each work will vary.
• Works will be programmed through the application process and through community by First Nations Producer Glenn Shea.
• This opportunity is appropriate for First Nations artists and First Nations led projects.
Application Details
• Applications open: 30 October 2025(9.30am)
• Applications close: 30 November 2025 (3pm)
• Programs open: PLAY (SCRATCH, EXPLORATIONS, IMMERSE regional and metro), HOPE PUNK CLIMATE FESTIVAL, MELBOURNE FRINGE AT LA MAMA, and CULTURAL CONSERVATION IN ACTION.
• PRESENTS 2027 will be primarily programmed through the 2026 PLAY application process. There will not be a separate application process.
• Works presented in HOPE PUNK or MELBOURNE FRINGE AT LA MAMA 2026 will not be eligible for PRESENTS 2027 (as they will be full seasons and no longer be considered new).
• Producers will be available to answer questions while applications are open.
• One application per lead-artist/company. It is ok for creatives to be named in more than one application, provided they are only the lead-artist in one.
• Please read the Program Descriptions (above) and Programming Matrix (below) carefully before applying.
• Once this round closes on 30 November 2025, La Mama will not accept applications until the next round opens in September 2026.
• Applicants will be notified of their outcome by 23 December 2025.
• If you have access needs and need support with the application process or would prefer to submit an application via video or another format upon negotiation, please contact Caitlin ([email protected], 9347 6948)
• We encourage all artists to engage with La Mama’s programs as audience members — to understand the breadth of work we support and to find the right home for your own.
Connect Sessions
We will hold two CONNECT sessions where you are welcome to speak to our producers and curators to assess where your work will best fit in our program. We strongly recommend any artists who are interested in submitting an application attend one of these sessions.
The first CONNECT session will be for any applicants on 10 November (both in person at La Mama Courthouse and livestreamed). The second will be for regional applicants interested in applying for IMMERSE only, on 13 November (online via zoom meeting).
Expressions of Interest are now open for La Mama's Programs June to November 2026.
More detailsFor regional applicants interested in applying for IMMERSE only
More detailsPROGRAMMING MATRIX
Projects will be assessed on the following Programming Matrix:
Vision and Creative Qualities
• Is this bold work that represents as experimental edge, an important idea, an unheard voice, an urgent story, potential and/or playful possibilities?
• Are the artists curious, insightful, courageous, rebellious and/or responsive?
• Does the work reflect originality and/or ambition?
• Does the work align with La Mama’s vision: To inspire a theatre of possibility – creating life changing moments that transform individuals and lead the future of Australian storytelling.
Project Overview
• Does the applicant clearly describe the work or idea they wish to develop?
• Does the summary provide sufficient information about the stage of development: where it’s at to date and/or what development will occur from the opportunity?
• Is there a clear rationale for developing this work now and at La Mama?
Viability and Impact
• Are the planned outcomes or objectives for the artist clear?
• Is there demonstrated thought for audience?
• What impact does this work intend to have?
Overall Assessment
Strengths of the Proposal: What are the strongest elements of the applicant’s vision or approach?
Areas for Improvement: Are there any areas where more clarity or development is needed?
Program Recommended: SCRATCH (12), EXPLORATIONS (48 – 36 available), IMMERSE (regional)(8), IMMERSE (metro) (8), MELBOURNE FRINGE AT LA MAMA (6), HOPE PUNK CLIMATE FESTIVAL (tbc), CULTURAL CONSERVATION IN ACTION (tbc)
Other Considerations: Is there anything about the applicant/s or work that needs further consideration?
Note that feedback on applications will be possible but due to high demand this might take some time.
READ MORE ABOUT LA MAMA FULL ANNUAL PROGRAM
LA MAMA FULL ANNUAL PROGRAM