Two, four week festivals set to transform streets of Darebin
Roads, parks, galleries and shops will be the stage for a massive exhibition of the arts. Two festivals in autumn and spring will show off the best film, fashion, writing and performance locals have to offer, and it will all kick off early next year.
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Darebin will be transformed into a massive month-long street party under a bold new move to celebrate film, art, writing and music.
Next year two, two-week festivals will run in autumn and spring, incorporating a number of different arts.
The autumn festival will include displays of public art, film and fashion in venues such as parks, gardens, local galleries and shop fronts.
It will also feature signature food and wine events.
The spring festival will involve performance, live art, literature and theatre in parks, music venues, cafes and bars.
There will be works on display by invitation and application, as well as open fringe festival type events, and spaces for schools and workshops.
Darebin Council adopted the new festival model on Monday and will begin the planning this financial year.
The Leader understands many of the city’s existing events will be included within the new dates.
This could include the Darebin Homemade Food and Wine Festival and the Darebin Community and Kite Festival.
Councillor Steph Amir said the new festival program would support more artists with a more modern approach.
“We’re very proud of our artist community and want to do what we can to support the many artists, and people supporting artists, here in Darebin,” she said.
“The exciting thing about this model is it’s a shift away from having I suppose council as the lead to having a much stronger focus on artists as the lead, community as the lead,” Cr Amir said.
The festival teams will deliver two, two-week festivals in 2020 which will expand to become two, month-long events in 2022.
Curators will look after one festival for three years, and partner with their successor in the final year so the festivals transition smoothly.
Councillor Julie Williams said the “huge change” would incorporate art which involves all the senses and stay financially feasible for everyone to attend.
She said the model retained what was loved about existing arts and events but would engage more audiences and locations.
The council received feedback from 458 community members, including an online survey and consultation with community stakeholders, such as the Darebin Ethnic Communities Council.
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Feedback indicated the importance of family friendly events providing new experiences and showcasing diverse cultures.
Elements of the new model are scheduled to be tested during Darebin Music Feast in October, with the first autumn festival to be delivered in March 2020.
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