Where Creativity
Transforms Communities

We design strategies, experiences, and projects to help communities and artists navigate change through creativity, courage and care.

About Us

Led by creative producer and strategist Laura Harper, Happenstance Projects is an independent consultancy with a focus on regional and remote Australia. Drawing on more than 20 years experience, we work with artists, organisations and governments to strengthen creative ecosystems and support more equitable futures.

Learn more

From national music summits and regional roundtables to sector consultations and health-focused music commissions, our work is defined by collaboration, social impact, and outcomes that continue to resonate long after the project ends.

Our Services

  • A man with gray hair, wearing a white shirt and a black strap, looks at a wall covered with colorful sticky notes arranged in columns titled Challenge Mapping, Emerging Issues, and Future Challenges.

    Strategy, Research & Facilitation

    Cultural strategies and sector plans co-designed with communities. Through research, workshops and collaborative processes, we align vision with action and map possibilities.

  • Group of seven people standing on stage in front of a large screen at the Regional & Remote Music Summit, with the text 'How festivals are building communities & driving renewal' displayed. The group is smiling and wearing conference badges.

    Designing Experiences

    From summits to festivals, residencies and music programs, our work connects people & places. We craft experiences that amplify local stories, strengthen communities and create opportunities for exchange.

  • Artist & Sector Development

    We develop projects and pathways that support artists, musicians, and the creative ecosystem. From mentoring to industry initiatives, we help build the skills, networks and opportunities that fuel creative careers.

  • A large group of people gathered indoors, smiling, cheering, and posing for a group photo at a conference or event, with some holding identification badges.

    Community & Collaboration

    Collaborative initiatives that bring people together to explore ideas, solve challenges and imagine new futures. We design and facilitate spaces where conversation leads to outcomes.

Get in Touch

Project Highlights

  • Woman with dark hair and glasses giving a speech at a podium with a microphone, and a purple-lit background.

    Regional & Remote Music Summit, 2025

    A national gathering of 250+ artists, industry leaders, policymakers and community representatives came together in Byron Bay (on Bundjalung Country) for three days of panels, cultural exchange and live music. Presented by MusicNSW and produced by Happenstance Projects, the Summit strengthened the capacity of regional artists, industry and communities.
    View Program →
    Read Report →

  • Minimalist artwork with abstract mountain ranges, a large leaf design, and the words 'Seeking Solace' and 'hush' in white text.

    Seeking Solace for the Hush Foundation

    Seeking Solace is an album commissioned by the Hush Foundation with support from Creative Australia, created to raise awareness about women’s mental health. Curated by Nat Bartsch, it features compositions by Luke Howard, Sophie Hutchings, Mirla, Fia Fiell, Thrupence & Josh Hooke, Thomas E Rouch, Petra Salsjö, and more. Cover art by Tasmanian printmaker Melissa Smith.
    Listen here →

  • A conference room filled with people attending a presentation. There are round tables with water bottles, cups, and notebooks. A speaker is presenting at the front near a large screen displaying a slide.

    NT Regional Roundtable

    A whole-of-industry consultation that brought together 75 participants from across the Territory alongside national music representatives. The Roundtable created a platform to address the unique challenges faced by regional NT artists. It also identified priorities for improved access to education, industry networks, touring opportunities and export pathways.
    Read Report →

  • A detailed urban planning map showing a waterfront area with pathways, green spaces, roads, and structures outlined in various colors including red, orange, and purple.

    Mac Point Precinct Plan

    We consulted with the Greater Hobart creative sector on the potential development of the Macquarie Point Arts, Entertainment, and Sporting Precinct. The Report supports co-location of key creative organisations to enable new partnerships, address gaps in cultural infrastructure and enhance activation of the site. Read Report →

  • A mobile with hanging plush toys and charms underneath a crescent moon, featuring the words "hush" and "Nightlight" on a dark blue background.

    Nightlight with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra

    Nightlight features original songs by Megan Washington, Missy Higgins, Kate Miller-Heidke, Mama Kin, Emily Wurramara, and Naomi Crellin with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra. The album was commissioned by the Hush Foundation, a charity that transforms healthcare through kindness and the arts.
    Watch Here →

  • A band performing live on stage: a man playing an electric guitar, a woman singing into a microphone, and a drummer in the background. Neon lights and a vibrant atmosphere.

    Regional & Remote Music Summit, 2024

    The inaugural Summit, presented by MusicNT on Larrakia Country in Darwin, was created to amplify regional and remote voices. A key outcome was the agreement to make the Summit an annual event, rotating each year to a different region. This ensures local communities can share their stories and celebrate the diversity of Australia’s music cultures. Watch here →

Every project is part of a bigger map — a way of understanding how creativity serves as a compass for communities.
Field Notes is a place to share reflections and resources gathered along the way.

Field Notes

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