DJ standing behind turntable decks, slightly blurred while dancing, holding an spiral corded telephone.

Foxy La Fuzz at Manly Art Gallery & Museum

Creative Open 

Art, design & music
25 - 28 July 2024

Showcasing art, design, and music, Creative Open features live and local gigs, exhibitions, talks, gatherings, comedy, markets, performances, and public art. Activating shops, galleries, venues, and open spaces, the program will enliven precincts in the north, south, and west across four festival days and nights.

Last year’s program hosted more than 6,000 visitors in 50 free and ticketed events. This year’s festival offers the most diverse program yet and celebrates dynamic visual and performance artists, and acts playing dance hall to disco, jazz, jungle, and everything in between.

We are seeking applications for exciting events featuring live entertainment, exhibitions, and activations to be part of our winter festival from 25 – 28 July 2024. Event partners will have the opportunity to connect with new audiences, promote their business, and network with the local community and creative sector. If you deliver unique, creative programming, we want to hear from you. 

Who can apply?

Northern Beaches’ event venues include:

  • live performance venues
  • galleries, creative spaces
  • designers, makers, surfboard shapers
  • recording, music, gaming and film studios and businesses
  • creative workshops e.g., screen printers, digital labs
  • creative businesses such as bookshops, bars, and cafes

Have an idea, but no space to do it? We’re also accepting Expressions of Interest from local designers, workshop facilitators, and artists for pop-up events and creative workshops at selected Council venues. Pitch your event, tell us about your space, lock the event dates in your calendar, and help us build this event into a key event on Sydney’s art calendar!
 

What support will Event partners receive?

Council will market the festival with a media release summarising the festival and event highlights and target key media. We will provide general festival digital and print advertising, brochure distribution across the Northern Beaches (5K), general event advertising on social media, and Creative Open outdoor banners. We will provide an event listing for all activities, performances, and happenings on Council’s What’s On calendar as well as facilitating sponsor and venue marketing opportunities as they arise.  

Event partners are responsible for promoting their event to ensure a successful outcome for all. Using existing mailing lists and audiences, websites, social media, and festival tags, event partners are also required to build awareness and excitement around their events to attract audiences and contribute to the wider festival marketing campaign. The more event partners working together, the greater the impact we can have. 
 

How to apply

Applications are open from 29 January and close on 3 March 2024.

Key dates

  • Applications open Monday 29 January 
  • Applications close Sunday 3 March
  • Applicants notified of outcome Monday 4 to Sunday 17 March
  • Program and marketing content deadline Friday 29 March 
  • Creative Open program launch Monday 3 June 
  • Event Delivery Thursday 25 – Sunday 28 July 

Useful Documents

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Contact information

Arts & Culture

Creative Open Ambassadors

Meet our ambassadors for Creative Open