WELCOME TO THE FESTIVAL
Hello and welcome to the 2023 Castlemaine State Festival.
If you are reading this then you are one of the lucky ones preparing to attend our incredible festival. 17 days of art, culture, and good times under the late-summer skies in Victoria’s biggest small town. Thrilling new works from central Victorian artists sit side-by-side with the very best from around Australia and the world. This is your chance to explore our town and our region through creativity of all types. Catch an invigorating conversation at Dialogues in our beloved Castlemaine Goods Shed, visit an Open Studio and pick up some brilliant local art for your collection. Enjoy a transportive concert at the Town Hall and finish the evening under the Big Top on Western Reserve with an amazing live act that leaves you wanting to do it all again!
Thank you so much to all the artists, audiences, supporters, partners, and patrons who make this festival possible, from everyone here at CSF please have a great festival and we look forward to seeing you at the Festival.
GLYN ROBERTS –
FESTIVAL DIRECTOR
Steve Dimopoulos MP - Minister for Creative Industries
Maree Edwards MP - Speaker of Legislative Assembly and Member for Bendigo West
Cr. Rosie Annear – Mayor of Mount Alexander Shire
Dennis Goldner – Castlemaine State Festival Chair
History of the Festival
The Castlemaine State Festival began in 1976 through the vision of founder Berek Segan AM OBE and has now grown to become Australia’s longest running flagship regional arts festival.
The Festival preceded any other Victorian arts festivals and has been unique in its scope and diversity, and in its impact on the social and cultural fabric of central Victoria and environs.
The biennial Festival commissions, develops and presents a thrilling program of events encompassing performance, music, literature, visual arts and film and is known as major contributor in connecting people and developing social wealth within the regional community.