It’s been a roller coaster year for the Castlemaine State Festival, which is now preparing for its triumphant return in 2026 and its 50th anniversary celebrations.
Following heavy losses from the 2023 festival, Australia’s longest-running regional multi-arts festival was forced into voluntary administration in March 2024. A few months later, the committee announced it had reached agreements with creditors and the state government.
In August, the festival committee engaged arts industry experts, Martin Paten (former festival director) and Linda Sproul (a former CSF board member), to lead an eight-week strategic review to figure out the best way forward.
Mr Paten and Ms Sproul worked closely with the community, listening to their aspirations and assembling facts about the festival.
They reviewed the current state of the festival industry, and looked at solutions for the next festival.
Ms Sproul told the Express that one of the most significant things to come out of their discussions, was the great love and pride people had that the festival had always been grounded in the places in the shire.
“Whether it’s music performances in Carmen’s Tunnel, beautiful music in the churches around Castlemaine, or an amazing performance out at Vaughn Springs, it’s actually the unique spaces that create this amazing home and showcase the art,” she said.
“Name me another town hall that sounds as good as ours for classical music.
“That’s what the artist expression of interest is about and that’s why were using the theme ‘Surprise! Surprise! Do you know about special secret places and spaces? We’ll do our best to make it happen.”
Ms Sproul and Mr Paten are aware of the impacts the cost-of-living crisis is having on the arts industry across Australia and the need to factor that in by looking at how the festival can engage different demographics. They are also mindful that Mount Alexander Shire has a wealth of incredible arts and performance venues, so there is a need to look at what the festival can offer that is new and unique.
“People should have the opportunity to address all your senses. You should be able to eat food from this place, talk to wine makers that have made the wine you’re drinking. You should be able to go out in beautiful spaces like Leanganook and actually see and hear and feel,” Ms Sproul said.
“There is an awareness around the festival’s legacy in shaping the identity of the town and shire. We are now known as a place for all these industry residents, and maybe that’s the outcome of 48 years of a festival that created a framework that allowed that kind of exchange of enthusiasm and passion.
“Our shire has more creative industry residents than any other local government area in Australia. It’s that connection and network that we want to activate, and people are really proud of that.”
The Castlemaine State Festival team is now accepting proposals for the 2026 with the theme ‘Surprise! Surprise!
For more details or to submit a proposal, visit www.castlemainefestival.com.au and complete the EOI form by 4pm on Friday March 14, 2025.
