The Castlemaine State Festival is one of only two country festivals recognised in the major arts festival category by the National Arts Ministry. Held biennially, the Festival was first held in 1976, with the next scheduled event in 2007. The multi arts celebration showcases a variety of local and international performance and visual arts, including everything from music and opera to ceramics and drawing.
Local artists also hold their own exhibitions to coincide with the Festival.
The Festival’s Business Development Manager, Val Victor-Gordon, said in 2005 the event attracted more than 35,000 visitors over the ten day period.
“The Festival generates a huge injection into the economy of the district and of local artists,” she said. “It is a great boost for all areas of hospitality, with the average amount spent on accommodation alone amounting to $294 per person.”
She said the Festival has been known to entice people to make a permanent move to Castlemaine.
“People move here for the art and to live in a precinct with like minded people,” she said. “They come up for the Festival and end up enjoying themselves so much that they stay.”
The State Festival gets the whole community involved, using all available venues, including churches and halls. Volunteers also assist with airport pickups, provide accommodation and meals, sell tickets and set up venues.
Val Victor-Gordon said that heritage venues are often used to establish a link between heritage and the arts.
“At the 2005 Festival, we held a musical in a mine with all 50 attendees wearing hardhats,” she said.
