MPavilion Parkville, part of the University of Melbourne’s Museums & Collections, is seeking proposals for creative projects to be presented in Semester 1, 2026. The focus of this dynamic program is to engage students, staff and local communities through temporary installations, workshops, performances and other activities. We are particularly interested in:

• Enhancing student experience on campus

• Faculty and academic collaborations

• Creating opportunities for social connection through artistic and creative experiences

• Engagement with this unique public pavilion setting

Please look at our current and past projects as an indication of the scale and scope of the program. Artists, students, staff, researchers, and local communities are all welcome to submit proposals.

EOIs are now open. 

Submit your Expression of Interest via Smartygrants.

Applications close on Wednesday 22 October 2025 at 11:59pm AEST 

Apply Now 

Program overview

• Our programming predominantly takes place during weekdays, but we do undertake occasional evening and weekend projects.

• Most of our program works on a weekly rhythm, with a new project taking up residence in the Pavilion and opening to the public anywhere from 2 – 5 days.

• Some projects, especially those working with students or Faculties, take place over the course of a number of weeks of research or development, with a public-facing outcome towards the end of the semester.

• We have also presented some ‘one off’ projects such as performances, or program ‘series’ that take place on a different time scale, for example monthly.

• The Semester 1 2026 program will commence in Summer, running from 2 March to 29 May 2026.

What MPavilion Parkville provides for your project

• Project budgets of between $2,000 and $5,000 (ex GST) to cover artist fees, materials, production, and any auspicing or insurance costs, depending on the scale and duration of your project. We do not require a detailed budget at this stage; this will be requested and discussed in stage two of the selection process.

• Support from a creative producer, helping you to shape your ideas and support you through the process of planning and delivery.

• Front of house staffing during public opening hours for your project.

• Marketing and communications of the MPavilion Parkville program, including professional photography of your project.

• Use of MPavilion Parkville furniture including tables, chairs and signage.

• PA, small mixer, and sound technician to operate it (or a self-service microphone and speaker if applicable).

• Assistance with event permits or licenses if required for your project.

• Vehicle access for bump in and bump out only (on-site parking not available).

Eligibility

• All applicants require a current ABN.

• All applicants who are not staff or students at the University of Melbourne are required to hold Public Liability Insurance of at least five million dollars. You can arrange this after your project is selected.

• We are unable to fund interstate or international travel, so this opportunity is best suited to those who are locally based.

Practical information

• MPavilion Parkville is managed by the University, with the surrounding University Square parkland managed by the City of Melbourne. You are welcome to propose activities that use both the pavilion and the park, but please note that we may need to seek permission or approval from the City of Melbourne depending on the activity.

• MPavilion Parkville has a capacity limit of 95 people within the structure itself.

• The physical structure of the pavilion cannot be permanently altered. It does not have rigging capacity within the ceiling.

• Accessibility: There is step free access via the Grattan Street end of the park, as well as a wheelchair accessible pathway into the Pavilion itself. Accessible toilets are available in nearby University of Melbourne buildings. Parking is available on street, in the University Square carpark, and in the University Campus at the South Lawn Carpark.

• The pavilion does not contain its own kitchen or toilet facilities. There is a tap with running water, access to power, a small portable PA on site, and limited on site storage. Amenities close by in the University are used for bathroom facilities.

• Projects that wish to serve alcohol will need to obtain a temporary event licence through the City of Melbourne or engage a company that brings a licence with them.

• Participants in the program are paid up to 30 days after the end of the month of their event through the submission of an invoice to University finance.

• If you are engaging collaborators or employees, they must be engaged appropriately under Award conditions. If you are not set up to do this, we recommend the use of an auspicing service.

Selection Process

MPavilion Parkville EOIs will be reviewed by the MPavilion Parkville curatorial team and other staff from the Museums & Collections Department at the University of Melbourne.

Selected projects will be invited to a second stage of project assessment, including a request for a detailed budget and further conversation about your proposal.

Notifications will be made to all projects by the end of November 2025.

EOIs will be reviewed in response to the following criteria:

• The project concept is high quality, artist-led or involves an artistic or creative process

• The project is site-responsive, considering the nature of the building and the public spaces surrounding it

• The project offers something surprising, unique, or unexpected for audiences at University Square

• The project plan is realistic in scale given the budget and resources available.