We are proud of our funders, partners and sponsors who enable us to make the River of Art Festival a wonderful experience for all.
Key to the festival’s success are our partnerships with governments, sponsors and philanthropists.
We welcome support for the Festival, whether it be cash or in-kind such as venues, food and beverages, facilities or expert services.
We also welcome donations and donations over $2 are tax deductible.
We would be delighted to discuss a tailored package that suits your needs.
The festival
The River of Art Festival began in 2005 and now, in its 18th year, is regarded as one of the largest and most successful arts events on the NSW south coast regional calendar.
The Festival showcases all forms of visual art from paintings and sculpture through to performances, music and creative workshops. More than 130 events and activities run across the region from Durras to Bermagui over 10 days, attracting a large visitor and local community audience.
The 2023 River of Art Festival attracted thousands of visitors to the region. Visitors came from Canberra and surrounds, regional NSW, Sydney and Victoria. The Eurobodalla Shire council data confirmed a significant boost to the local economy and with visitors enjoying the diversity of arts experiences and the beauty of the NSW South Coast.
The River of Art Festival is one of the two Hallmark Events recognised and supported by the Eurobodalla Shire Council. The other hallmark event is the Narooma Oyster Festival with whom we have a close working relationship. River of Art engages with local Chambers of Commerce and arts groups in all the towns and communities in the region, particularly the three hub towns of Batemans Bay (north), Moruya (central) and Narooma (south).
The River of Art festival’s Board comprises volunteers with rich and diverse experience and a well-structured and organised team. Our skills include executive management, communications, marketing, advertising, journalism, finance and governance, education, community development, not-for-profit and arts administration. Our team includes top-notch marketing experts, online media specialists, and world-class designers.
Key events
- The Festival launch and announcement of Art Prize on 15 September drew media attention and over 120 guests
- Our closing event, Luminous: Celebrating Place, held at the Moruya Showgrounds on 23 September featured light art installations and projections, music, food and night artist markets.
- The Open Studios program where artists host visitors to their home studios. Over 30 open studios were held during 2023.
- River of Art Prize and Exhibition. The annual prize attracts some 60 entries and in 2023 we displayed 33 finalists at the Bay Pavilions for the duration of the Festival. The exhibition attracted over 2,000 visitors and the introduction of the ‘People’s Choice’ awards attracted a large number of votes.
- The ‘Homage to Home’ exhibition at the BAS in Moruya featured around 30 of the Eurobodalla’s leading artists and was well attended by locals and visitors alike.
- Exhibitions were well attended and well received. Key exhibitions were ‘Capture’ a photographic exhibition in Narooma, ‘Familiar’ at the Mechanics Institute in Moruya, ‘Crevices’ in Durras and the annual exhibition by EFTAG ‘Landmarks’ was held at the Moruya Showground Pavilion
- Art on Parade: shopfronts and cafes across the Eurobodalla Shire featured local artists and performers
- Creative workshops were very popular providing visitors with an opportunity to learn to improve skills in watercolours, textiles, painting, drawing, weaving or photography.
Key event: Luminous – Celebrating Place
Following the success of Luminous: Art After Dark in 2022, the River of Art Festival followed up with a creative initiative called Luminous: Celebrating Place.
This key event will be held at the Moruya Showground where the heritage spaces were awash with light art installations and projections, music, food and night markets.
Marketing program
The River of Art marketing strategy aims to raise the Eurobodalla region’s profile, attract visitors, and engage local artists and south coast community.
Our new website improved the user experience and enabled visitors to explore the program and plan their itinerary. Daily program posts highlighted key festival events or locations and were shared each day of the festival across Facebook and Instagram. Social media continued to feature as our most popular means of engaging.
Public relations featured artist profiles, the Art Prize, Lanterns from Waste creations, the Art Trail and Luminous projections. Our advertising program included partnerships with the Region Group, Her Canberra, 2EC, Art Almanac, iMag, and the Beagle.
Our printed collateral includes Save the Date ‘postcards’, A4 and A3 posters placed throughout shop fronts, tourism attractions and galleries in the region. In addition, large-scale signage is placed around highly visible sites promoting the Festival. We also use our ‘Pink Cube’ gallery (a hot pink mobile shipping container festooned with a mural) to promote the events.
Economic and social benefits
The River of Art Festival offers the following economic and social benefits to the community:
- Increasing economic opportunities in a lower socio-economic region, with a significant economic multiplier effect.
- The 2023 shows the event is a key generator of visitor expenditure and provides extended social impact.
- The Festival provides visitation, opportunities for local artists, and a strong cultural experience leaving attendees happy and inspired.
- Data shows the festival boosted visitor spending by 294% on the final weekend, with visitors staying extra and expressing a desire to return next year.
- Engendering cooperative partnerships with many and varied businesses, tourism and community entities in the region.
- Fostering local creativity and cultural expression for professional and amateur artists within and beyond the region.
- Creating opportunities for creative arts workers to participate and opportunities for artists to sell their work, learn new skills and gain new/extended patronage.
- Enhancing a strong sense of place and community identity through local participation in art, performance and new cultural experiences which strengthen the region’s social fabric, health and well-being.
- Providing arts experiences/skills development workshops to increase interest in the arts amongst youth, disadvantaged groups and people with disabilities.
- Attracts external visitors from ACT, Sydney and other NSW regions,
Partnership options
The River of Art Festival relies on support from governments and partners.
We invite you to be a partner for 2024 River of Art Festival. A partnerships package will be developed but in the meantime we would be delighted to discuss a tailored package that suits your business needs.
Naming Rights – River of Art Prize
The River of Art Prize is a highly popular art prize and exhibition. Artists and makers within and beyond the Eurobodalla region are encouraged to participate. Entries are called in June each year and announced on the opening night of the Festival and are on display to the public until the end of the Festival.
The Prize is judged by two experts providing independence and authority. The judges shortlist the finalists (approx. 25 works) and then the overall winner, second and highly commended works. The first prize is $3,500, the second $1,500 and highly commended $500. We also have a People’s Choice Prize based on votes by visitors to the Art Prize over the Festival period.
We believe the Art Prize is worthy of a more generous prize and offers a suitable naming rights opportunity for a suitable partner. Sponsorship funds would also contribute to the opening night celebration and announcement of the winner which attracts significant media attention.
Naming rights sponsor of River of Art prize
- Logo placement on all promotional materials including art gallery and website
- Speaking opportunity at opening night and announcement of prize
- Investment of $25,000 over three years
Contact:
Leanne Joyce
Chair, River of Art Festival
