The 3rd Degree

The Third Degree wants your art!

Art to inspire. Art that is audacious and interactive. Art designed to transform minds, lift spirits and ignite the imagination. Art that challenges what art is. Sound like the kind of art you want to create? Awesome! Art grants for the Third Degree are now open. *Please read the Art Guidelines before applying.

Ready to go? Register your art here and we’ll help you find the perfect spot for your piece and make sure it’s featured in the Where, What, When guide.

About our Art Grants 

You can apply for:

• grants of up to a maximum of $1,000 for new art that is being created specifically for The Third Degree, OR
• grants of up to a maximum of $300 to help you bring existing art to the event

Please note that our art grants cover material and transport costs only. 

Art grants close Sunday 26 July 2026. Successful applicants will be notified by Friday 31 July 2026. 

Creating art for a burn event and bringing your art to the Paddock can be more challenging than other environments. Before submitting your application, please read the eligibility criteria below and our Art Guidelines. 

Amateur or professional, adult or child – all are welcome. However, please note that if you have already received an art grant in the past from Third Degree, you are not eligible to receive another grant for the same work. 

We want to spark your creative energy. And we can’t wait for you to show us your amazing ideas!

Eligibility criteria

We favour:

• New and experimental art that subverts conventional norms
• Interactive artworks that invite audience participation in some way
• Art in response to the event theme or the 10 principles
• Art that is sustainable (e.g. waste to art, reused/upcycled/found materials, artwork that once built can be reused or reconfigured for future events etc)

This may take the form of:

• Large interactive installations (please note: maximum 3m in height. Artworks are not to be climbed on for safety reasons.)
• Moving artworks and kinetic sculptures (please note: the venue for The Third Degree is not suitable for large mutant vehicles)
• Light / sound installations
• Live painting, collaborative graffiti works, group body art etc
• Some types of performance art (e.g. immersive theatre, interpretive dance) 

Funding amounts can be supplemented with additional grants from organisations.

What we don’t fund through our arts grant program:

• Merch/ Swag
• DJs
• Live bands
• Fire spinning
• Things that are more suited to a theme camp grant

If you are a DJ, musician or fire performer, please get in touch and we will connect you with the right crews.

Please note that art designed to be burned is not accepted at The Third Degree, outside of the Effigy and Temple builds. This is because the site is too small for multiple large burns. You are welcome to use flame effects in your artwork, but please see our Art Guidelines to ensure your art meets safety criteria. 

We can’t wait to see what you dream up!

Key dates

• Wednesday 17 June 2026– applications for art grants open
• Monday 29th June 2026 – art info night (online)
• July 2026 – art registrations open (non-funded)
• Early July 2026 – art site inspection
• Sunday 26 July 2026  – art grants close
• Friday  31 July 2026– successful grantees notified 
• Monday 3 Aug 2026– first grant payment made to funded artists
• Sunday 10 Aug 2026 – art registrations close for site placement planning 
• Sunday 24 Aug 2026– send placement plan and onsite info to all artists 
• Tuesday 8th Sept 2026 – Crew onsite – artist bump in / installation
• 10th – 14th Sept 2026 – 3rd Degree event
• Tuesday 15 Sept 2026 – artist bump out / leave no trace. All offsite by 5pm 
• Saturday 20 Sept 2026 – final grant payment made to funded artists

Have questions?

Please get in touch and we will do our best to help.