Our Program

Splendid is a collaboration between Lismore Regional Gallery, the Australia Council and Splendour in the Grass, and in partnership with NORPA (Northern Rivers Performing Arts). Three year funding from the Australia Council's Office of Young and Emerging Artists and Splendour in the Grass enabled 3 Arts Labs to be held in Lismore (2009, 2010, 2011), followed by the commissioning of new works by emerging artists to be shown at Splendour the following year (2010, 2011, 2012). The program was a platform for artists to develop new ideas, hone their conceptual and production skills and connect with leading creative practitioners and presenters.

Over the past 3 years, 32 emerging artists have taken part in the Arts Lab's, working with 20 established artists (Provocateurs). Out of this Splendid has commissioned 6 works that has been presented at Splendour in the Grass. Further, some works have been presented in other festivals and contexts. In 2011 Carl Scrase's Generative Power of Opposites was shown in Lismore (funded by Lismore Regional Gallery), and at the Perth Cultural Centre. In 2011 Jimmy McGilchrist's Curious Creatures was road tested at the Lismore Lantern Parade, and will be headlining at the 2012 Vryfees Festival, South Africa.