TheLab@UNSW:
a UNSW ADA x Sydney Fringe Festival collaboration.
Calling Alumni and Artists to perform at Sydney Fringe in a new partnership with UNSW’s School of Arts & Media. Cash and resources are available to put on your show at the Fringe's new experimental hub: The Lab.
After the success of our Alumni Creative Residency program, TheLab@UNSW is an exciting new partnership between UNSW's School of Arts & Media and Sydney Fringe Festival. This experimental hub, housed in Studio One at the Esme Timbery Creative Practice Lab, will showcase innovative works from UNSW alumni alongside other experimental and innovative artists for two weeks across the Sydney Fringe.
The 2025 season will feature two weeks of cutting-edge performances, creating a vibrant platform for experimental and intermedial work in Sydney.
Applicant Eligibility
The applicant must meet the following criteria before applying:
- The applicant must be an Australian resident
- The applicant must have a valid ABN
- The applicant must be over the age of 18
- The applicant must be an UNSW SAM alum to be eligible for the alumni-specific residency and stipend
Project Eligibility
The intention of TheLab@UNSW is to showcase exceptional experimental performance, with a focus on interdisciplinary artists and innovative performance. The Lab will be presented at Studio One, Esme Timbery Creative Practice Lab at UNSW.
We are seeking:
- Performance in the experimental, intermedial, and interdisciplinary genres
- Works that demonstrate creative innovation and experimental approaches to making
- Performances that are suited and can work with the parameters of Studio One at the Esme Timbery Creative Practice Lab. Please see the current technical specifications here.
- That suit the Festival model of presentation:
- Shows must be under 60 minutes, no interval
- The program will support 2-3 works each night in a shared billing with 15-minute changeovers
Submissions will be assessed on artistic merit, innovation, and suitability for the Festival platform. UNSW SAM alum applications will automatically be considered for the residency and stipend program.
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Apply if you have an experimental work that you'd like to present within a festival format, or want to be part of an exciting new platform for intermedial and experimental performance in Sydney.
UNSW SAM alum should especially consider applying to access both the performance opportunity and the additional residency and financial support available exclusively to alumni.
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A total of six shows will be selected for TheLab@UNSW program. If selected, your work will receive the following:
- Be presented in a 2-week season as part of the Lab@UNSW, a highlighted curated program within the 2025 Sydney Fringe Festival;
- Be featured as a highlighted program event in the 2025 Sydney Fringe Festival’s marketing campaign, including a dedicated the Lab@UNSW program spread in the Sydney Fringe Festival guide, a dedicated the Lab@UNSW program web page, inclusion in program highlights on Sydney Fringe owned organic social media, and the standard individual listing and show page;
- Be eligible for the Sydney Fringe touring awards with partner Fringe festivals
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Your production remains primarily produced and entirely owned by you. Individual show marketing, production and personnel costs will be at your discretion and will be managed by you with support and guidance by Sydney Fringe and UNSW SAM.
TheLab@UNSW will subsidise costs and manage and promote performances as follows:
For all six selected shows:
- In-kind venue hire for Studio One at the Esme Timbery CPL
- Technical support during the season
- FOH and bar staff for all performances
- Artists will take 100% of box office, minus internal ticketing fee
- Inclusion in the TheLab@UNSW marketing campaign
- Standard ticketing fees apply as per the Event Presenter Terms & Conditions
For the two UNSW SAM alum selected works (in addition to the above):
- $2,500 stipend towards development/production costs
- 2 x 1-week residencies at the Esme Timbery CPL for development
- Additional mentorship and development support
- Waived registration fee
The Benefits of Participating in TheLab@UNSW
1. Presentation Platform
Be part of the inaugural experimental hub that aims to become a home for emerging and intermedial performance in Sydney.
2. Broaden your Audience
The Sydney Fringe Festival is the largest independent arts festival in NSW, providing one of the largest platforms for you to reach new audiences.
3. Professional Development (for Alumni Recipients)
Receive valuable residency time to develop your work in a professional setting, with technical support and space provided by the Esme Timbery Creative Practice Lab.
4. Build Professional Networks
Connect with UNSW, Sydney Fringe, and the wider arts community through this collaborative platform.
Timeline
- TheLab@UNSW Applications Open | 17 February 2025
- TheLab@UNSW applications Close | 16 March 2025
- Shortlisted applicants contacted | End of March
Shortlisted shows will have a 1:1 meeting to discuss eligibility and intention in participating. - Successful applicants informed | End of March
- Announcement of TheLab@UNSW Recipients 2025 | 21 July
Sydney Fringe Program launches, and the participating shows are announced.
- Residency Period 1 (alumni only) | April-July 2025
Dates to be coordinated with selected alumni artists - Residency Period 2 (alumni only) | August 2025
Dates to be coordinated with selected alumni artists - TheLab@UNSW Program presentation dates | 8-20 September 2025
Two weeks of programming, Wed-Sat performances
Apply now
To apply, please register here in Eventotron, the Sydney Fringe Festival Management system. It will prompt you to create a profile then proceed with the application.
As an organisation, we actively promote diversity, access and inclusion and strongly encourage applications from First Nations, CALD, d/Deaf and disabled and LGBTQIA+ artists.
If you have access requirements, please contact Harriet Gillies, Artistic Coordinator of the School of the Arts and Media at h.gillies@unsw.edu.au before commencing your submission to confirm the details of these requirements. If you need assistance with using Eventotron please reach of the artists@sydneyfringe.com.
We look forward to your TheLab@UNSW application, a place to showcase experimental works and innovative Sydney stories.
