2027 call for creatives: Horizon and Wearable Art
From bold artistic ideas to wearable masterpieces, two of the Sunshine Coast's signature cultural events are inviting creatives to be part of their 2027 programs.
Horizon Festival and the Australian Wearable Art Festival (AWAF) have officially opened expressions of interest and artist entries respectively, providing opportunities for artists, designers, performers, producers, creative organisations and students to showcase their work on some of the region's biggest cultural stages.
Sunshine Coast Mayor Rosanna Natoli said the opportunities highlighted our region's growing reputation as a hub for creativity and innovation.
"The Sunshine Coast is home to an incredible community of artists, makers and creative thinkers, and these opportunities invite them to be part of something truly special," Mayor Natoli said.
"Both Horizon Festival and the Australian Wearable Art Festival have earned national recognition for championing creativity and bringing new ideas to life. They also deliver significant cultural, community and economic benefits for our region.
"I encourage local creatives, organisations, emerging artists and students to put themselves forward and help shape these extraordinary events in 2027."
Horizon Festival seeks bold ideas for 2027
Horizon Festival is an annual arts and cultural festival exploring the intersections of art, people and place on Kabi Kabi and Jinibara Country, Sunshine Coast.
Expressions of Interest are now open for Horizon Festival 2027, with artists, producers, presenters, cultural organisations and creative collaborators invited to help shape the festival's next chapter.
Returning from 20-29 August 2027, Horizon Festival is seeking ambitious, contemporary and innovative projects that connect people, places and ideas across the Sunshine Coast.
The festival welcomes proposals spanning visual art, music, performance, public art, digital experiences, installations, community-led projects and cross-disciplinary collaborations.
Horizon Festival has built a reputation for presenting unique experiences that celebrate place, creativity and connection while showcasing the Sunshine Coast as a leading cultural destination.
Horizon Festival demonstrates Council's commitment to supporting artists and creative practitioners through collaboration, investment and opportunity.
By inviting expressions of interest from creatives, organisations and partners, the festival helps nurture local talent, encourage innovation and deliver experiences that reflect the diversity and identity of the Sunshine Coast. These partnerships are central to building a thriving creative region where arts and culture contribute to community wellbeing, economic development and destination appeal.
AWAF invites artists to take to the runway
The Australian Wearable Art Festival has also launched its 2027 competition, inviting artists, designers and creatives from across Australia and beyond to enter by the end of January 2027.
Now entering its seventh year, AWAF is increasing its overall prize pool to $25,500, with the prestigious Supreme Award doubling to $10,000.
For the first time, the Festival has removed competition categories and prescribed themes, allowing artists complete creative freedom.
Festival Co-Director Wendy Roe said the changes reflected AWAF's growing maturity and the extraordinary range of creative disciplines represented in the competition.
"Wearable art sits at the intersection of so many different art forms. We see artists working with sculpture, textiles, architecture, technology and materials that most people wouldn't give a second thought to," Ms Roe said.
"Sustainability has become an important part of AWAF's creative identity. At our 2026 Festival, more than 80 per cent of the artworks incorporated recycled, reclaimed or repurposed materials, with artists transforming things that might otherwise be discarded into extraordinary works of art,.
"What I love is that there's no formula for how these materials are used. Every artist brings their own imagination, skills and perspective, and the results can be completely unexpected. It's a wonderful demonstration of how creativity can change the way we see the value in things."
The festival's growing reputation continues to attract national and international participation, with finalists travelling from across Australia and overseas to present their creations on the Sunshine Coast runway.
In 2027, AWAF will also introduce the National Student Wearable Art Showcase, giving students in Years 9-12 from across Australia the opportunity to develop and present their creations on a national stage.
"The National Student Wearable Art Showcase is about nurturing the next generation of creative talent, encouraging young people to experiment, develop new skills and explore ideas beyond traditional creative disciplines," Ms Roe said.
“We want to give students the opportunity to take an idea from concept to creation and experience the confidence and pride that comes from seeing their work brought to life in front of an audience.”
AWAF 2027 will be held from 12-14 August at the Sunshine Coast Convention Centre, Novotel Sunshine Coast Resort.
Artist applications for AWAF are now open via the AWAF website.
This event is proudly supported by Sunshine Coast Council through the Major Events Sponsorship Program - Emerging Events category. This program helps deliver the Sunshine Coast Council’s Major Events Strategy, which aims to generate $86 million in economic benefit for the region through increased visitation and local spending.
Key dates
Horizon Festival 2027
- Expressions of Interest now open
- Expression of Interest close 10 November 2026
- Festival dates: 20-29 August 2027
Australian Wearable Art Festival 2027
- Artist entries close: 31 January 2027
- National Student Wearable Art Showcase entries close: 26 February 2027
- Festival dates: 12-14 August 2027
For more information or to apply, visit the Horizon Festival and Australian Wearable Art Festival websites.