YIRRAMBOI has officially unveiled four major new commissions, marking the next chapter for a festival that has become a leading platform for First Nations evolutionary and experimental arts.

Spanning experimental sound, street theatre, movement, language rematriation, film and installation - each work is developed from early concept through to full realisation, culminating in world premieres across Naarm / Melbourne during the 2027 festival.

Now in its sixth iteration, the YIRRAMBOI Commissions Program sits at the heart of the festival, laying the foundation for the broader program and offering an early glimpse of what's to come.

The program centres Victorian First Nations artists, providing resources to premiere ambitious new works rooted in community and creative sovereignty.

"There is nothing more powerful than backing our artists to create on their own terms, to play, to explore, to take risks and to speak their truths," said co-lead/artistic lead of YIRRAMBOI Festival Sherene Stewart.

"That is where the most urgent and pivotal work is born. We're deeply honoured to be entrusted with new works by senior artists, cultural leaders and the next generation of First Nations creatives.

"Artists who helped shape past festivals now return as pillars of the 2027 program, leading ambitious new work that reflect the strength and continuity of this platform."

Co-lead/executive lead of YIRRAMBOI festival Emily Wells, said in 2026, YIRRAMBOI will continue to create and push for further opportunities for First Nations peoples.

"At a time of uncertainty across the arts sector, YIRRAMBOI doubles down on ambitious, self-determined commissioning," she said.

"As a First Nations festival, resilience is not new to us. We have always created within constraints.

"We will continue to push, to carve out opportunity, and to honour our responsibility as a vital and enduring platform for First Nations practice."

YIRRAMBOI Festival platforms the interconnectedness and diversity of First Nations creatives. Deeply rooted locally, traversing nationally and internationally, YIRRAMBOI creates space for expressions of culture, identity, unity and truth through evolutionary and experimental practices.

"We're proud to support First Nations artists to create work that is grounded in culture, community and truth-telling," said Naarm / Melbourne Lord Mayor Nick Reece

"YIRRAMBOI demonstrates what is possible when cities invest in the creativity of its people."

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