Practicing Mentorship

New Initiative – Expressions of Interest!

We are excited to offer five mentorship opportunities as part of this year’s Kolyang Program. This new initiative connects emerging-mid career performance makers with experienced industry professionals, writers, and artists. Each successful participant will work one-on-one with a mentor across two paid sessions.

The mentorship supports artistic development, professional exchange, and meaningful industry connections.

Program Details

• Two sessions of 2-3 contact hours each
• $150 per session both mentee and mentor
• Sessions to take place between June-November 2026, in person
• Mentees are expected to prepare (including sharing an agenda), and actively participate in their mentor sessions
• No formal deliverables; the mentorship is process-driven and shaped by mentee’s goals

Support from Performing Lines WA

• Connecting you with a suitable mentor (if required)
• Assisting with sourcing a space, if needed
• Contracting and management of all payments

Key Dates

• EOIs Open: Monday 13 April
• EOIs Close: Sunday 10 May, 10pm
• Notifications: Monday 18 May

Selection Criteria

Applications will be assessed based on:

• Clarity of your mentorship goals
• Alignment between your goals and proposed mentor (you do not need a confirmed mentor to apply)
• One mentorship opportunity will be awarded to an independent First Nations artist.

Applications will be reviewed by a panel consisting of Performing Lines WA staff and a member of the Kolyang Indi’s in Residence Advisory. Up to five applicants will be selected.

Eligibility

• This opportunity is open to WA-based performance makers.
• Performing Lines WA strongly encourages applications from artists of diverse backgrounds, including First Nations people, people with disability, CaLD and POC communities, and LGBTQIA+ artists.

For enquiries, please email Joo Tan, joo@performinglineswa.org.au.

How to Apply

Submit an Expression of Interest by completing the online application form.

Studio Boosters

Studio Boosters in partnership with PICA and City of Fremantle

We are excited to announce we have partnered up with the Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts and City of Fremantle to provide four $5,000 Studio Boosters to be awarded in 2026. Building on the success of the 2025 Booster Grants, this initiative includes (free) access to studio space in addition to auspicing and project guidance from PLWA. We look forward to working with PICA and City of Fremantle to provide this financially supported residency model for creative development and collaborative practice.

This booster opportunity is focused on supporting transition periods of a work or project idea – this is not to top up a grant, but more to help continue your work’s process and get it to the next stage. Think concept development, continued writing time, onboarding new collaborators or a remount to get tour ready.

Program Details

• We welcome multidisciplinary performance proposals, whether to seed new projects and collaborations or further progress works already in progress
• Successful projects will receive up to $5,000 contribution
• Dedicated studio space at PICA or City of Fremantle for 2 weeks

Support from Performing Lines WA

• Auspicing, planning support, contract management and project guidance
• Additional $250 towards photo or video documentation to contribute towards support material for your project’s future

Key Dates

• EOIs open: Wednesday 1 April 2026
• EOI’s close: Sunday 3 May 2026, 10pm
• Notifications: Thursday 7 May 2026
• Studio dates available
  • #1 (29 June – 12 July) Victoria Hall
  • #2 (20 July – 02 August) Victoria Hall
  • #3 (03 – 16 August) PICA Studio 4
  • #4 (14 – 27 September) PICA Studio 2

Please know there is a deadline and softline for expressions of interest. Please get in touch should you require an extension.

Selection Criteria

• Main criteria for assessment will be in making clear your artistic project and that this ‘boost’ is timely, relevant and viable through your completion of the application form.
• Final selection will be made by a panel of Performing Lines WA, a member of the Kolyang Indi’s in Residence Advisory, City of Fremantle Arts & Culture and PICA staff.
• One Studio Booster Grant will be awarded to an independent First Nations lead artist and/or First Nations-led project submission.

Eligibility

• This opportunity is open to WA-based performance makers.
• Performing Lines WA strongly encourages applications from artists of diverse backgrounds, including First Nations people, people with disability, CaLD and POC communities, and LGBTQIA+ artists.

For enquiries, please email Joo Tan, joo@performinglineswa.org.au

How to apply

Expressions of interest for this opportunity to be submitted via email to joo@performinglineswa.org.au using the application form provided.

Key Downloads

• Download application form HERE. If you are unable to access Microsoft Excel on your computer, please upload the downloaded form to Google Sheets to enable online editing or email us for assistance.
• PICA Studio Resource – Information on studio spaces and standard terms and conditions for studio residencies which will apply to successful projects.
• City of Fremantle Victoria Studio Resource

Continued Advisory – Indies’ In Residence and First Nations Focus Group

In 2026, our sector consultation continues with our Indies’ in Residence and First Nations Focus Group.

In 2025, our Indies’ in Residence – Ayo Busari, Josten Myburgh, Katt Osborne, and Rachel McMurray – sat at the table with us to interrogate our Kolyang program, independent sector needs, and for blue sky dreaming for our industry. This year, the same cohort continues their tenure as our Indi’s in Residence, contributing to Kolyang Program panels, planning, and feedback.

We also continue with our First Nations Focus Group – Chloe Ogilvie, Janine Oxenham, and Maitland Schnaars. In 2025, the cohort provided feedback on 2026 Kolyang Planning. This year we look forward to their insights and feedback more broadly across the Performing Lines WA program, in our aim to deliver projects and initiatives that are culturally safe, enriching, and supportive spaces.

WA-SE Asia Lab

We are thrilled to announce the return of our residential Kolyang Artist Lab. This year, nine artists will bring their project ideas to the Lab, engaging with mentors and making new connections. Over four days, participants will unpack their projects, applying learnings to its development, and making the most of concentrated time amongst a cohort to hone their project and practice. The Lab will be open to artists working across disciplines within live performance, at any stage of their career.

We are delighted that the incomparable Sandi Woo will be facilitating the Lab this year, sharing her warmth and expertise with the cohort.

The Lab will take place in residence at Fairbridge Village on 30 July-2 August 2026.

Seven places will go to Western Australia-based applicants, and two places will go to artists nominated by our partners in South-East Asia.

Successful applicants will receive a $1,000 fee, subsidised travel to Fairbridge, all meals provided through the Lab, and accommodation (own bedroom in shared cottages with shared bathrooms and living spaces).

Selection Criteria

• Articulate a project idea for a performance work you hope to explore or test over the course of the residency. The idea can be at any stage of development.
• Articulate why this opportunity is timely for you and your project.

Eligibility

• Applicants must be WA residents.
• Applicants must be available for the entire duration of the residency, from Thursday 30 July 2026, 4pm to Sunday 2 August 2026, 4pm.
• Applicants may be at any stage of their career.
• The Lab is open to individuals only. Applications from teams/groups/collectives will not be accepted.

Key Dates

• EOIs Open: Friday 1 May 2026
• EOIs Close: Wednesday 27 May 2026
• Notifications: Wednesday 3 June 2026

For enquiries, please email Melanie Julien-Martial. melanie@performinglineswa.org.au

How to Apply

Applications now closed.