For the first time, emerging South Australian artists are invited to apply to perform on the Academy Stage at the WOMADelaide 2026 festival, to held in Botanic Park/Tainmuntilla over 6-9 March.
The Academy Stage is the showcase stage for 18–30-year-old artists from First Nations and culturally diverse backgrounds and is part of the successful WOMADelaide x Northern Sound System (NSS) Academy music training and development program that began in 2020.
The Academy Stage made its debut at WOMADelaide 2024 and featured 26 diverse and dynamic emerging acts, curated by NSS, covering genres from hip-hop to folk, indie rock to experimental music and more.
Positioned in a prime location in Botanic Park, the Academy Stage quickly became a crowd favourite, engaging audiences of all ages and offering a vibrant platform for rising talent to connect with new fans over the four days of the festival.
The stage not only highlights emerging young First Nations and culturally diverse artists from SA, it features a vital training and skills development program for sound and stage technicians working on the stage, in partnership with Barkly Arts, based in regional NT.
“The Academy Stage has become the launching pad for many of South Australia’s talented emerging artists,” said Bianca Nilsson, Project Coordinator for the WOMADelaide x NSS Academy.
To be eligible to apply, artists/groups must be aged between 18-30, with at least 50% of the group’s members currently residing in SA and be able to perform a 30-minute set of original music. Applications are encouraged from artists of all genres and backgrounds who are keen to bring their creative energy to the Academy Stage at WOMADelaide. The deadline to apply is 15 December.
To apply, click here and follow @nothernsoundsystem on Instagram for updates.
The Academy Stage is supported by WOMADelaide and the City of Playford.
