We are excited to announce our Expressions of Interest, to invite artists to apply for our Pride Elevates programme. This innovative initiative is designed to empower three distinct groups of artists, offering them the opportunity to further explore and express their artistic development during the 2025 Auckland Pride Festival within their practice and communities.

Overview

In a world defined by intricate relationships and interconnected experiences, Pride Elevates seeks to illuminate how these complexities shape artistic expression and contribute to our shared narratives. We welcome all forms of creative expression and are excited to provide a platform for artists to reflect on the multifaceted nature of identity, connection, and resilience.

It is important to note that this programme requires artists who have the necessary experience and skills to develop, refine, and stage a work within the context of a festival—and to do so within a four-month timeframe. We’re looking for artists who are ready to engage deeply with their craft, bringing a high level of professionalism and dedication to the creative process and our festival.

Pride Elevates is dedicated to providing artists with extensive support to ensure the success and longevity of their work. While Auckland Pride will financially contribute, we also offer a wealth of resources designed to enhance both the creative process and the visibility of your project.

Pride Elevates allows a journey that will challenge you to delve into a deeper understanding of how your practice resonates within and beyond our communities. If you have the experience and the passion to meet this challenge, we want to hear from you. 

What you’ll get as an Auckland Pride Elevates Artist

• Full venue hire for a 5 night season
• A dedicated Production Manager and Venue Technician who will oversee your entire season
• Artistic development opportunities such as wānanga, workshops, and regular wellbeing check-ins. We expect full engagement in this collaborative process. This is an opportunity to refine your practice within a supportive environment that fosters creative growth, mutual respect, and the sharing of ideas and experiences.
• Full publicity and marketing package
• $10,000 towards artist fees, production and material cost support

Who Can Apply

Pride Elevates is designed to uplift and amplify the voices of our diverse creatives. This programme aims to create a vibrant rich tapestry of performances that truly inspire, speak to and resonate with our audiences. We invite applications from a wide range of individuals and groups who are passionate about their art and looking to make a meaningful impact through creativity. We specifically seek applicants who have prior experience in staging their chosen show or a show to a similar scale. Below are the categories of applicants eligible to apply: 

Collectives
Individuals
Community Groups 
Established Performance Groups

Information Pack:

To find out who can apply, submission requirements and key details download the full information pack here.

Information Sessions

As a part of our Artist Experience we would like to offer an Information Sessions designed to guide you or your collective through this application process. While we will not be brainstorming or developing ideas for your projects, these sessions will provide essential insights into the Pride kaupapa and theme that underpin Pride Elevates. 

Together, we’ll explore the key components of the application process, clarify any questions you might have and ensure you have a solid understanding of what we’re looking for. This is an opportunity to gain valuable guidance on the application criteria and to connect with others within the creative community. 

Both these sessions will be covering the same content so you do not need to attend both but please do if you have further questions. Looking forward to connecting with you then.  

Information Session 1 Pride Elevates:
Monday 30th September
5.30PM - 6.30PM 
Register link: https://forms.gle/cs4KwoBcZXhq3QH89

Information Session 2 Pride Elevates: 
Monday 14th October
5.30PM - 6.30PM 
Register link:
https://forms.gle/N5FduGCaiWtFgmyF9

Ready to Submit?

Option 1: Written form submission
https://forms.gle/4Xyv9Yvmp9zZgg9YA 

Option 2 Accessible: Online video or phone call submission

If you find the submission form a barrier, we still want to hear from you. We can have an online meeting to talk through your submission. The conversation will be centred around the same seven requirements listed above. Please make a booking when you’re ready to submit here: https://calendar.app.google/2UR9KTxvLXe5k6mg9 

Option 3 Accessible Video submission:

If either of the above options do not suit your needs, we have the option to submit your application via video.
Requirements:
- Your video must be no longer than 8 minutes 
- You must answer every question in the written form 
- Your answers must be within the maximum word limit

When you’re ready to submit your video upload it here: https://forms.gle/Rjrhw1zdYvWu4mMH9

Deadline

All submissions must be received by Sunday 27th October 11:59PM. Late submissions will not be considered unless organised prior.