PARTNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES 2026
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 donors.
We welcome support for the Festival, whether it be cash or in-kind such as venues, food and beverages, facilities or expert services.
All donations over $2.00 and financial sponsorships are tax deductible. The River of Art is a registered charity.
We would be delighted to discuss a tailored package that suits your needs.
THE FESTIVAL
KEY EVENTS
The River of Art Festival began in 2004 as a way to promote arts, business and community. It was the brainchild of the Moruya Business Chamber and was managed by a sub-committee of the Chamber for a number of years before becoming an independent organisation and incorporating in 2010.
In 2026 we are proud to celebrate our 22nd anniversary.
The Festival is one of the largest and most successful arts festivals 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 100 events and activities typically run across the region from Durras in the north to Bermagui and Cobargo in the south spanning 11 days, attracting a large visitor and local community audience.
Our vision is to ensure that the wider NSW South Coast region has a strong reputation as a centre for artistic talent, culture and creativity, nurturing artists and welcoming audiences to experience the richness of our art and creative culture, while enjoying and taking inspiration fro the extraordinary environment.
The 2025 River of Art attracted over 15,000 Festival attendees to the Eurobodalla with 15,000 Festival visitations. Visitors came from Canberra and surrounds, regional NSW, Sydney and Victoria. The Eurobodalla Shire council data confirmed a significant $6.2 million boost to the local economy of $27.3 million.
The River of Art Festival is one of the Hallmark Events recognised and supported by the Eurobodalla Shire Council. River of Art engages with local Chambers of Commerce, businesses, 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 team brings experience across Government, marketing, business and the arts.
marketing program
The River of Art Festival is once again shining a spotlight on the vibrant arts and creative culture of the South Coast, whilst celebrating the beauty of our environment. Running from Friday 25 September to Monday 5 October, the Festival promises an inspiring mix of exhibitions and more.
We are now curating an unforgettable program featuring beloved highlights alongside fresh new experiences. Expect a mix of:
- The Festival launch and announcement of the Art Prize on 25 September with media attention and over 100 guests.
- The much-loved Arts Trail, stretching from Durras in the north to Bermagui and Cobargo in the south, showcasing artist studios, galleries, live performances, and local tourism gems.
- The prestigious River of Art Prize, spotlighting exceptional artistic talent.
- A special Literature Event, bringing together writers and book lovers.
- Live music, performances, and celebrations across the South Coast.
- Workshops and Artist Talks
- Major exhibitions from the region’s leading arts groups and galleries.
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.
Our social media program in 2024 reached 42,000 Facebook users and 48,700 Instagram users from Canberra, Sydney, south coast region, Melbourne. Public relations featured artist profiles, the Art Trail and key events. Our advertising program included partnerships with the Region Group, Australian Community Media, Art Almanac, iMag, and the Moruya Mail.
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 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 24% 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, VIC, NSW- Sydney and other NSW regions.
Your support
We invite you to provide support through sponsorship, donations or in-kind support.
Donation – Every little bit helps.
Many successful campaigns have been funded by broad grassroots support. We cannot underestimate the powerful message of community support through donation, large or small. Investing in the arts not only adds vibrancy to communities but fosters a sense of connection and inspiration for generations to come.
Making a donation is a rewarding way to support creativity, innovation and help showcase the cultural strengths of the NSW South Coast region.
Donors may have their names listed on our website as supporters, otherwise you may remain anonymous.
River of Art is a registered charity, with tax-deductible status.
In-kind support
The Eurobodalla community is resilient, proud and generous and happy to support the Festival.
The River of Art Festival Board are all volunteers, and many residents donate their time to make the Festival a success.
Many local businesses have shown exceptional generosity, providing support through giving time, access to venues or professional services, discounts to River of Art visitors, gifts of food/beverage and a host of other benefits.
If you feel your business may be able to offer a bespoke gift or service, we would be pleased to discuss with you how this might work, as the planning of the Festival evolves. Of course, we acknowledge all such acts of kindness (unless of course you choose to remain anonymous).
SPONSORSHIP
For us to have a successful Festival, we need the kindness and support of the business community, through a range of packages which we would be glad to tailor, to suit your needs. We ask that you consider getting involved as a sponsorship partner. As well as offering you recognition across all of the branding and promotional material for River of Art, it is also a way of showing your commitment to this proud, creative, determined community.
Our options are detailed below, but we would be delighted to discuss a tailored package which best suits your business needs. Sponsorship can apply to the entire Festival, or for special events.
festival sponsorship
PLATINUM PARTNER - Investment $10,000
- Branding on socials and website, including a hyperlink logo on Platinum website footer.
- Branding on Festival Posters
- Company branding at River of Art hosted events
- Acknowledgement as Platinum Partner at all River of Art events.
- Follow up event photos and coverage post Festival.
GOLD PARTNER - Investment $5,000
- Branding on socials and website, including a hyperlink logo on Gold website footer.
- Company branding at select festival events
- Acknowledgement as Gold Partner at all River of Art events.
- Follow up event photos and coverage post Festival.
SILVER PARTNER - Investment $3,000
- Branding on socials and website, including a hyperlink logo on Silver website footer.
- Acknowledgement at specific live events e.g. River of Art Prize Launch & Festival Opening.
- Acknowledgement as Silver Partner at River of Art hosted events.
BRONZE PARTNER - Investment $1,000
- Branding on socials and website, including a hyperlink logo on Bronze website footer.
Event sponsorship
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 2026, 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 (up to 80 works) and then the overall winner, second and highly commended works.
The prize money is $4,500 for the winner, $4,500 for the runner up and $500 for the artwork that is most highly commended. The People’s Choice award will be announced at the Festival’s conclusion with a special prize such as a dinner or special gift available through sponsors.
We are seeking to increase the Art Prize reach believing the Art Prize is worthy of a more generous prize and offers a significant 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.
Your sponsorship of River of Art prize gives naming rights, plus:
- Logo placement on promotional materials including at gallery launch and opening and on website
- Speaking opportunity at opening night and announcement of prize
- Investment of $15,000 over three years or $8,000 for 2026 only.