The University of New South Wales has announced the arrival of Splice in 2027, a new arts festival designed to connect emerging talent in the art, technology, film and game design arenas.
From 15-17 January, the festival will offer the chance for creatives to learn more about their individual industries, with ‘selected’ creators also offered access to ‘industry decision-makers and capital, emerging tools and production technology and live playtesting, build demos, and direct audience feedback.’
Expressions of interest for those looking to show their work and meet people who ‘commission, back and distribute it’ is currently open, although this closes on Friday.
For everyone else, it sounds like there’ll be plenty of opportunities to learn more about the creative industries and view works directly when Splice 2027 kicks off.
UNSW announces new arts festival – quick links
What to know about Splice 2027
As announced, Splice 2027 will be a three-day celebration of the arts taking place at UNSW in Paddington, Sydney, where creatives can show off their work and attendees can ‘watch how the things [they] love are made.’
‘See creative worlds collide. For three days, creators from art, tech and games share one campus. See the work, try it, make it, question it and leave useful feedback,’ per the team. ‘A festival you play.’
Attendees are encouraged to arrive curious, then try something – whether that be games, prototypes, or being an active participant in an ‘experience.’ They’re also encouraged to actively engage with the creatives presenting, then ‘leave something useful’ to help them meaningfully advance their projects.
‘Pick up the controller, enter the installation and test ideas that only make sense once you are inside them. See artists and builders make decisions in the moment. Meet works in progress, useful failures and new projects before every edge has been polished away. Every session leaves room for your questions. Ask the person who made it how it works, what broke and what comes next.’
Attendees are also encouraged to create their own works and learn more about creative processes: ‘Build, draw, code, direct or prototype. Pick up a new technique from someone who uses it for real.’
Why Splice 2027 is an important event
As shared by the organisation team, rising production costs, corporation takeover and the ‘quiet cancellation of major cultural festivals’ across Australia has led to a loss of ‘vital launchpads’ that can help creatives kickstart their careers and reach their intended audiences.
Splice 2027 aims to create a new platform approachable for people of all experience levels, and particularly students, to have their work seen and assessed, allowing them to see possible pathways for creative commercialisation or artistic expression.
The team behind the festival aims to help these creatives develop their work, as well as give them the ‘resources needed to scale their work’ by offering a chance to meet potential creative partners and collaborators, and to understand the place of their work in the real world.
Those keen to attend or show their work can learn more on the Splice website. Tickets for the new festival will go on sale in November, with day passes and three-day passes available.
