Undercover Artist 2023 announcement video features backstage footage of Tony Dee fixing his tie and performance footage from The Crooners ‘Swinging and Spinning’, a cabaret performance, Aspy Jones and band performing with crowd dancing, Lauren Watson atop her wheelchair strung by silks in an aerial performance and Andi Snelling on rollerskates performing in ‘Happy Go Wrong’. The video announces the Festival’s return in September 2023 in partnership with Queensland Theatre and Brisbane Festival.
Undercover Artist Festival 2025 promises to rethink disability and the performing arts, partnering with Queensland Theatre and Brisbane Festival to bring together a game changing arts festival.
Undercover Artist Festival will be the catalyst for new and exciting career opportunities, exposing artists work to industry leaders, producers, and potential venues for future programming and touring. Undercover Artist Festival is a disability-led Festival.
The 2025 Festival will take the stage 22 – 27 September 2025 with one thing in mind – Push It! – Push buttons, push boundaries, and push for change.
Three main ‘tracks’ will be programmed again during Undercover Artist Festival:
Disability-led, professional performing arts work.
Community arts performances, installations for all.
Workshops, panel conversations and professional development.
Learn more about the Undercover Artist Tracks by downloading the Information pack below.
A woman delivers Undercover Artist 2023 announcement in Auslan direct to camera.
A woman delivers Undercover Artist 2023 announcement with audio description.
Undercover Artist festival is back in 2025, showcasing the boldest and brightest artists with disability.
We are looking for incredible national and local talent so we can support the development of new work and early career talent in the performing arts.
“
The Undercover Artist Festival made my career and it could do the same for you.
Oliver Hetherington-Page
The No Bang Theory
A woman delivers Undercover Artist 2023 announcement in Auslan direct to camera.
A woman delivers Undercover Artist 2023 announcement with audio description.
Welcome to Undercover Artist Festival 2025 – where the theme is not just a phrase but a call-to-action, a challenge, and an encouragement to artists to “Push it!”
What does Push It! mean? We want artists to interpret this theme in a way that feels right to you. It’s meant to be abstract, and we want d/Deaf, disabled and neurodivergent artists to feel confident and ready to “Push it!”.
All Festival Applications should be able to connect to the “Push it” theme in one way or another.
You are welcome interpret this theme how you like. Here are some ideas and prompts:
Challenging the status quo and what's possible.
Evoking emotions, provoking thought, and stirring reactions.
A community of artists lifting each other up.
Being a voice for change, advocating through art.
Personal growth as an artist.
Making space for ourselves in a crowded world.
Redefining what's achievable.
A woman delivers Undercover Artist 2023 announcement in Auslan direct to camera.
A woman delivers Undercover Artist 2023 announcement with audio description.
For more information the Push it! theme, download the information pack below.
A woman delivers Undercover Artist 2023 announcement in Auslan direct to camera.
A woman delivers Undercover Artist 2023 announcement with audio description.
Initial application period for Undercover Artist Festival 2025.
Shortlisted applications will be asked to supply further information. All Development Program applicants notified.
We encourage applications from all of Australia – and overseas. Undercover Artist Festival is committed to presenting a program with diversity of performing arts form, diversity of cultural backgrounds, and diversity of disability experience.
Ready to Push it! – Push buttons, push boundaries, and push for change.
A woman delivers Undercover Artist 2023 announcement in Auslan direct to camera.
A woman delivers Undercover Artist 2023 announcement with audio description.
Alternative methods to submit an application:
Download and send your completed Festival Application form, along with supporting material to to undercoverartist@cpl.org.au by 11:59pm, Friday 29 November 2024.
Please include subject line: ‘2025 UAF – Your Name’. Your email will need to include a link to a Google Drive, OneDrive or DropBox folder with all of your support materials.
Film an Auslan video, ensuring all questions from the Festival Application form are covered.
Save this video to a DropBox, Google Drive or similar site, and send a link to undercoverartist@cpl.org.au by 11:59pm, Friday 29 November 2024.
Please include subject line: ‘2025 UAF – Your Name’. Your email will need to include a link to a folder with all of your support materials.
Record an audio recording, ensuring all questions from the Festival Application form are covered.
Save this video to a DropBox, Google Drive or similar site, and send a link to undercoverartist@cpl.org.au by 11:59pm, Friday 29 November 2024.
Please include subject line: ‘2025 UAF – Your Name’. Your email will need to include a link to a folder with all of your support materials.
Request a phone or video interview by emailing undercoverartist@cpl.org.au prior to 1 November 2025.
Request a phone or video interview by emailing
undercoverartist@cpl.org.au prior to 1 November 2025.
These calls will go for 15 minutes and our team will ask the same questions on the Festival application form. Supporting material will still be required via email.
Stage One Festival Application period opens.
Stage One Festival Application period closes.
All artists notified of outcome. Stage One applications notified of outcome and Stage Two opens.
Stage Two Festival Application period closes. Festival programming underway.
Stage Two applications advised of outcome. Successful applicants to receive paperwork to commence works.
Undercover Artist Festival Launch – tickets on sale.
Undercover Artist Festival. *Dates to be announced
If you have any questions, please contact us via undercoverartist@cpl.org.au and we will contact you as soon as possible to discuss your project.
Please note: The Undercover Artist team works part-time only and will be in touch as soon as possible
Undercover Artist acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and we pay our respects to Elders, past, present, and emerging. We are committed to honouring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and their unique cultural and spiritual relationship to land, water and seas and their rich contribution to society.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this website may contain images, voices and names of deceased persons.
