Groundswell 2026

GROUNDSWELL 2026

A symposium for innovation in place-based practice

GROUNDSWELL is an artist-led symposium highlighting innovation and ingenuity in arts and performance emerging from creative practices based outside Australia’s metropolitan centres.

Bringing together some of the nation’s most compelling place-based projects, GROUNDSWELL shines a light on work of national significance — creative and performance practices that combine excellence, social engagement and inventive methodologies to build understanding and empathy in a complex world.

Through case studies, workshops, landscape-based experiences and collaborative inquiry, participants will hear directly from the artists and project leaders behind major works inspired by their locations — the ideas, the process, the philosophy, and the learnings of bringing ambitious art to life outside the city.

Co-designed by a group of distinguished regional practitioners, GROUNDSWELL explores new approaches to creative leadership, First Nations collaboration, socially engaged practice and large-scale production in regional contexts.

More than a conference, GROUNDSWELL is building a national movement — a community of practice connecting regionally based creators, expanding cultural knowledge systems, and reshaping how we think about making work in Australia.

Hosted by Crimson Rosella Creative Adventures and NORPA, GROUNDSWELL 2026 will take place on Djiringanj Country on the Far South Coast of NSW, in and around the new Tathra Headland Theatre and the iconic Tathra Hotel.

Be part of the GROUNDSWELL. Shape the conversation.

PRESENTERS

The program for GROUNDSWELL features a range of distinguished regional practitioners led by Lindy Hume AM PhD (Creative Director – Crimson Rosella) and Julian Louis (Artistic Director – NORPA). Current confirmed presenters include the following:

  • Dr Judith McLean, Chair, Dancenorth | Brisbane, QLD – Mianjin
  • Lily Shearer, Co-Founder and Artistic Director, Mooghalin Performing Arts Inc | Brewarrina, NSW – Murrawarri/Ngemba
  • Dr Vic McEwan, Artistic Director, Cad Factory and Postdoctoral Research Associate in Creative Arts, Ecologies and Communities at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music | Narrandera, NSW – Wiradjuri
  • Gavin Webber, Co-Artistic Director, The Farm | Gold Coast, QLD – Yugambeh
  • Louisa Gordon, CEO, The Unconformity | Queenstown, TAS – Lutruwita
  • Sally Richardson, Director, Steamworks Arts | London & Australia
  • Annette Carmichael, Producer, Choreographer, Annette Carmichael Projects | Albany, WA – Kinjarling

View full program details here.

DETAILS

Dates: 25 — 27 Nov 2026
Venue: Headland Theatre, Tathra NSW
Format: 2-day symposium for creative practitioners and artists working in regional Australia

Full program details will be announced in September.

REGISTRATIONS

Limited places available.
$155 Individuals
$190 (funded companies)

Please note there is $5.50 booking fee per transaction

Book now

Box Office 0493 396 836 [email protected] (Tue – Thu 9am – 5pm)

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through Creative Australia, its principal arts investment and advisory body.

Tathra Headland photo by David Rogers