The 2023 Castlemaine State Festival was the 24th edition of the town’s unique multi-arts showcase, which features diverse and high-quality arts for the benefit of regional audiences and economies.
Operating in a post-Covid and economically unstable environment has proven challenging, however, and CSF is currently facing financial uncertainty. This is reflective of challenges and trends across festivals and arts organisations nationally.
The CSF team has also recognised areas for review and renewal and has commissioned an independent report to support its work towards a stable future for this much-loved and celebrated festival.
Acting CEO and artistic director, Krista Horbatiuk, said what remained strong and was encouraging for the team was the breadth of support from the community.
“But with a substantial increase in the cost of living and an average of 40 per cent escalation in expenditure projections that Australian festivals are experiencing, we need to do more fundraising than ever,” Ms Horbatiuk said.
CSF is calling for further support from anyone who has enjoyed and appreciated the festival over its almost 50 years, and anyone who would like to be involved in shaping its future!
The festival was founded off the back of the extraordinary generosity and vision of its founding patron, the late Berek Segan AM OBE, and his wife the late Marysia Segan, and has enjoyed significant support from numerous generous contributors over the years.
Ms Horbatiuk said the CSF Board and management had been working hard over the past five months to develop strategies for expanding their supporter base and to ensure strong engagement with the community in the planning of the 25th anniversary festival, to be delivered in 2025.
This includes an invitation to suitably qualified community members to join the Board and Board sub-committees.
With the recent resignation of board chair Dennis Goldner AM, due to health reasons, deputy chair, Lucy Mayes has had to step in quickly to fill these shoes and is currently acting chair until the AGM later in the year.
The board is welcoming expressions of interest from community members to join their voluntary board and is seeking the following skills, experience, and attributes: local to Mount Alexander Shire; accounting; practising artist or closely connected to arts industry; philanthropy, fundraising, and connections; diversity.
The board also has sub-committees made up of industry experts, community members and board directors and CSF would welcome expressions of interest to the following: Goods Shed Committee; Programs Committee and Patrons and Audience Engagement Committee.
Expressions of interest will close on November 3. Visit castlemainefestival.com.au/get-involved/join-our-board or email information@castlemainefestival. com.au. Donations can be made by visiting castlemainefestival.com.au/get-involved/become-a-patron.
