As we approach 50 years of nurturing creativity and community, we’re thrilled to announce that the Board has engaged former Festival Director Martin Paten and past Board member Linda Sproul to help us explore future possibilities for the Castlemaine State Festival.
Martin and Linda are delving into what has made our festival successful over its 50-year history. They’re also investigating key changes that impact festival sustainability on local, national, and global levels, and how our town is evolving to connect with future audiences.
Recently, they held a highly engaging workshop with around 30 community representatives. Participants shared valuable insights about what makes the Castlemaine State Festival special and discussed ways it can remain meaningful in the future. The enthusiasm and honesty of the attendees were truly inspiring!
The insights gathered will play a crucial role in shaping the Festival’s future direction and creating a brief for our next director. Martin and Linda aim to complete their research and recommendations by the end of October. Stay tuned for more updates!