2027 SUBMISSIONS OPEN 10.11.26

Watch full 30 min launch presentation

SPACE TO CREATE RECIPIENTS FOR 2026

Alice Chance
(Composer)
GREAT BIG TREE

Teddy Dunn (Writer) &

Alex Turley (Composer)
SUITS

Daniel Szesiong Todd
(Writer)
CHINESE MEDEA

ALICE CHANCE is an award-winning composer known for her inventive and accessible work across choral and music theatre forms, Alice brings a distinctive musical language and a strong sense of storytelling to this new work for younger audiences.

A collaboration between two highly experienced artists - TEDDY DUNN & ALEX TURLEY, Suits builds on an existing body of work to explore identity, voice and form through a staged song cycle that sits between opera and contemporary music theatre.

A bold reimagining by DANIEL SZESIONG TODD of a classic narrative, this project brings together an experienced creative team, including award-winning composer EVAN LAWSON, to explore myth, culture and contemporary perspectives through a new operatic lens.

Mentorship Program 2026

Each artist or creative team will get a dedicated mentorship session with an industry professional to further the development of their ideas, as well as ongoing support opportunities from FLUXUS.

Peggy Polias

(composer) - 'Whisper in the Ear'

The FLUXUS Opera Lab is designed to nurture and develop new opera works through mentorship, collaboration, and financial support.

Open to emerging and mid-career writers and composers of all genres, the Lab invites a broad range of artists with an interest in exploring operatic form—no prior opera experience is required.

Up to ten creatives are supported either financially or through bespoke mentorship in a program running March - June 2026 (submissions close 10 February 2026). The Lab may be undertaken in person or online, depending on participants’ needs, and includes financial support, dramaturgical guidance, mentorship, and research consultancy.

WHAT IS THE OPERA LAB?

WHY IT MATTERS

Opera has always been in flux.

The FLUXUS Opera Lab exists to expand what opera can be by championing bold ideas, diverse voices, and collaborative exploration.

We provide artists with:

Mentorship from experienced creators and industry leaders
Space to test, fail, and refine ideas
Collaboration across disciplines, building new partnerships
Development support to move works from concept towards production

The Lab is not about rushing to a premiere — it is about process. By focusing on experimentation, dialogue, and risk-taking, we create the conditions for new operatic forms to emerge. This approach not only generates new Australian repertoire but also opens space for storytellers from diverse backgrounds and for those who have previously felt “othered” by opera.

In doing so, the FLUXUS Opera Lab seeks to shift the culture of opera-making in Australia: moving beyond convention, building community, and making opera a living, evolving art form that reflects the complexity and immediacy of contemporary life.

HOW IT WORKS

We are calling for submissions from all over the country (including Australian creatives living overseas). The program will be divided into three main components:

MENTORSHIP

The most common outcome from the first submission is initial mentorship.

These will be three-hour one-on-one sessions with an experienced mentor who will help expand an idea, solve a problem, or assist in taking the idea to the next development step.

Doing these in person is preferred (we can assist in providing space for this) or if unavoidable, they can be done via Zoom or a similar platform.

Based on panel feedback, creatives/teams can reapply for further development in subsequent cycles.

If creatives come to us with an idea but are looking for other creatives to partner with, we can assist with this process, suggesting possible collaborators and facilitating meet-ups.

This could be:

a writer comes to us with an idea but needs a composer to work with
a composer comes with an idea and needs a writer
a writer needs a dramaturg
a songwriter is wanting to collaborate with a more experienced composer of orchestral/classic forms

& MATCH-MAKING

SPACE TO CREATE - $5000 GRANT

The Program Recipients — either individually or as part of a collaborative team — will use this grant to further develop their submitted idea. This development phase might take the form of a comprehensive two-page concept document or “treatment” outlining the project’s scope, themes, and creative direction; a first draft of a libretto; or a series of songs, sketches, or musical ideas.

The specific nature of these deliverables can be tailored to suit each artist’s creative process.

The program generally supports teams of up to two artists. If your project involves more than two collaborators, please discuss this with FLUXUS Pty Ltd prior to applying.

There are two grants available for the 2026 round of submissions.

Each grant may also include a mentorship session, where applicable, to provide feedback and guidance on the work in progress.

RESEARCH & CONSULTANCY SUPPORT

Where relevant, FLUXUS may be able to connect recipients with an experienced researcher or consultant to assist with historical or cultural context, or to provide connections for further investigation and thematic development.

PROOF OF CONCEPT

A Proof of concept is open to projects that are previous recipients of the Mentorship and/or Space to Create programs.

A week-long paid workshop with one of our presenting partners, with up to 6 musicians/singers. All creatives and performers will be paid in accordance with current LPA rates.
Showing with invited industry guests.
Full showing filmed to create an archival and promo video.

SUBMISSIONS & KEY DATES

Submissions OPEN 10th November 2026

For the 2027 round, there will be at least 2 x Space To Create grants offered to creative teams or individuals. We will also be offering at least six mentorship opportunities. At this stage, one project will be chosen for the Space to Create program (only open to previous Opera Lab recipients)

The program dates are flexible, but all mentorship and Space to Create periods will take place between 24 March and 25 October 2027.

For more information, please refer to our FAQs.

KEY DATES

Tue 10 Nov 2026 Applications open
Tues 1 Dec 2026 FLUXUS Soiree (Melbourne)
Tue 23 Feb 2027 Applications close
Thu 29 Apr Recipients Announced
May – October 2027 Mentorships delivered & Space to Create Projects developed
Late May – Mid October 2027 Proof of Concept workshops and public showings (scheduled individually as projects are ready)
Mon 25 Oct 2027 Final Space to Create acquittals and documentation due