CONVERGE callout for Expressions of Interest

Welcome to CONVERGE - a creative enterprise development program in the heart of Lismore’s CBD.

CONVERGE is designed to revitalise Lismore’s business centre and elevate the economic and artistic strength of our local creative industries.

We invite Expressions of Interest from emerging and established artists, performers, creatives and entrepreneurs who are local to the Lismore Local Government Area, and interested in this incubator program within a collective working space.

Please read through the information and complete the form by 10am Monday 15 April 2024. Expressions of interest have now closed.

This project is run by Lismore City Council with funding from the NSW Reconstruction Authority.

About CONVERGE

As a disaster recovery initiative, CONVERGE is designed to bring new life and energy to Lismore’s CBD. It plays a part in the continued growth of Lismore as a thriving cultural hub, celebrating its unique character, community, and world-class creative industry.

Temporarily enriching vacant commercial spaces, we aim for CONVERGE to provide participating creatives with:

A working environment for making and developing projects
A series of professional development and entrepreneurial programs
Community interaction and engagement
Opportunities to exhibit artworks and present outcomes to the public.

Throughout the program, CONVERGE participants will access professional and creative input organised by Lismore City Council in partnership with key arts, business and education stakeholders. Housed within a secure, temporary, high-visibility CBD space, CONVERGE aims to nurture a strong nucleus of creative skill along with the business knowledge to support participants toward future economic success. With an ‘open-door’ ethos between participants, the space, community, and industry professionals, CONVERGE aspires to have a ripple effect beyond the confines of its ‘bricks and mortar’ premise.

CONVERGE is being designed to run from May to December 2024.

About the Expression of Interest process and next steps

Please complete the simple CONVERGE Expression of Interest form by 10am Monday 15 April 2024.

A panel will assess eligible CONVERGE Expressions of Interest according to the Selection Criteria for Participants.

The Destination and Economy team will notify applicants as soon as possible.

Successful applicants will be provided access and programs within the CONVERGE residency space within the Lismore CBD from mid May to late December 2024. We aim for the CONVERGE venue to include various creative, collaborative, administrative and gallery / public presentation spaces.

At various times, in respectful ways aligned with participants’ projects, CONVERGE will integrate with the public through exhibitions and studio open days. Care is taken to nurture a safe and supportive working environment, that motivates and inspires highest potential creative outcomes.

Throughout the program, various speakers, facilitators and guests will be arranged by the CONVERGE Project Team to assist participants with business acumen and professional development.

CONVERGE will provide space and knowledge. Materials are to be supplied by each participant relevant to individual need and artform. There are no fees charged or paid to CONVERGE participants.

We look forward to sharing updates about CONVERGE venue, program and participants, as details are confirmed.

Selection Criteria for Participants - considered in relation to other CONVERGE applicants, collaborative possibilities, available space and public programming opportunities:

Capacity for creative development and delivering outcomes
Value of CONVERGE participation to applicant’s professional and business development
Overall quality of the application and support material.

Before commencing your application, please ensure you can check ALL of the Eligibility Criteria boxes below.