Whau the People
Submit an idea for a performance, installation, market stall, or satellite event along the Whau River as part of this community arts festival.
Whau the People is calling for expressions of interest for the Whau Arts Festival 2026, taking place on 31 October and 1 November at Archibald Park, Kelston, and across the wider Whau awa.
This year's festival celebrates the gathering, making, and reflecting spaces all along the Whau River. Whether you want to perform at the main event, set up a stall at the arts market, launch a boat, collaborate across art forms, stage a parade — or project your artwork onto trees in a park at 5am — they want to hear from you.
There are two types of opportunities
Your project or event should take place somewhere around the Whau awa, including New Lynn, Green Bay, Kelston, Rosebank, Avondale, New Windsor, Blockhouse Bay, or Glenavon.
Whau the People can offer a small budget to support your work — they want to pay artists. Budgets can also cover materials and equipment. They're a small community festival run largely by volunteers, so budgets are modest, but they can help connect you with spaces, resources, and people to bring your idea to life.
They'd also love to make you a cup of tea and talk through your idea.
Submissions close 13 September 2026. This festival is supported by the Whau Local Board.
