Outdoor performance & art installations

Outdoor Performance & Art installations EOI City of Parramatta is seeking expressions of interest from artists and organisations for the presentation of installation and performance works for Parramatta Lanes 2026. Parramatta Lanes was conceived and delivered for the first time in 2012, with four event sites included in the inaugural event. Since then, the festival has grown into a key event on the Western Sydney calendar and now includes 20+ sites, attracting over 330,000 people in 2026. WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR Parramatta Lanes aims to support high-quality, meaningful, interactive, and innovative visual and/or performance-based works that truly engage and affect Lanes attendees. Because of the large geographical footprint and visitor scale, works should visibly standout, capture interest and draw attention. The work must be appealing and effective in both day and night conditions and be suitable for outdoor presentation. All disciplines are eligible, including (but not limited to): structural interactive art installation; inflatable artworks; digital installation; light installation; physical/visual mobile street performance; puppetry; immersive theatrical experiences; dance; movement; physical theatre and performance art. KEY CONSIDERATIONS Outdoor Art Installations • Works are temporary and they will not become permanent installations. • Works should aim to draw in festival patrons, be immersive and act as a point of contemplation. • Works should consider audience engagement and interaction, as well as patron access and flow through busy event sites. • Works should consider requirements for lighting/sound and footprint/space requirements. • The festival hours bridge a variety of light conditions, from afternoon daylight to dusk and dark, so the work will need to operate and be visible in these transient light states. • Most potential sites for artworks are exposed to the weather and hence works should be able to withstand a variety of weather conditions. • The festival will appoint an installation manager who will work with the artists to develop lighting solutions for the installations. Performance Works Does not include musical acts such as bands and street musicians. • These will be programmed separately. • Can be roving or static. • Should consider audience engagement and interaction, as well as patron access and flow through busy event sites. • Should consider needs such as power requirements for sound and lighting, specific sound and/or lighting needs and footprint/space requirements. • The festival hours bridge a variety of light conditions, from afternoon daylight to dusk and dark, so the work will need to operate and be visible in these transient light states. • Length of work should be considered: i.e. a short work that occurs 2-4 times a night, a durational work, or a longer work that would occur once per event night.