Parramatta Lanes - Outdoor Performance, Art Installation and Inflatable Commission - EOI

Parramatta Lanes is a multi-site festival that seeks to temporarily transform urban spaces in the Parramatta CBD by reimagining them as themed outdoor food and entertainment sites, activating new spaces for art installations, music, and performance work.

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 2025. 

2026 Parramatta Lanes will be held 21-24 October 2026

What we’re looking for

This year we have two EOIs for artists to present their works as part of Parramatta Lanes.

1. Outdoor Performance and Art Installations: High-quality, meaningful, interactive, and innovative visual and/or performance-based works that truly engage and affect Lanes attendees.

2. Inflatable artwork Commission: Call out for emerging artists, illustrators and designers who are keen to expand their practice into large-scale public artworks to submit an EOI to design a new inflatable sculpture.

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.  

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.  

 Inflatable Artwork Commisions

• City of Parramatta will commission two (2) artists (individuals or groups) to design new inflatable artworks for presentation at Parramatta Lanes 2026.
• Selected artists will be supported throughout the commissioning process by Parramatta Lanes’ Visual Arts Producer, who will assist with fabrication coordination, installation planning and technical delivery.
• Artists will focus on the creative development and design of their inflatable artwork, working closely with the Parramatta Lanes team to ensure each work is suitable. This includes collaboration on final 3D design concepts and technical documentation required for fabrication.
• This pilot commissioning program supports artists stepping into large-scale public art for the first time, offering mentorship, professional guidance and hands-on experience within a high-profile, high-foot-traffic festival environment. Proposed designs should be visually striking, playful and engaging, with strong consideration of audience experience and site specificity.
• The program offers a rare opportunity to realise large‑scale work, expand audiences, and gain hands‑on experience delivering a commissioned artwork within a major public arts event.
• Successful applicants will receive an artist fee, with all production and manufacturing to be covered by the City of Parramatta. 
• The completed artwork will remain the property of the artist, allowing for future touring, re-presentation or hire opportunities.

How to get involved

For more information click here