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The king is dead, long live the king - street art festival gets new name and official date
One of COVID’s many casualties was Benalla’s famous Wall to Wall festival.
However, in 2024 the Rose City will once again prove to the rest of the country why it’s known as Australia’s regional street art capital.
The highly anticipated return of the renamed Benalla Street Art Festival is now official.
The festival date is confirmed, bringing exciting collaborative opportunities for local artists and property owners.
It promises to transform local walls into vibrant canvases, with the whole country invited to head to the Rose City from Friday, March 22 to Sunday, March 24, 2024.
Festival organisers are eager to collaborate with property owners keen to showcase their support of the arts.
Community members can now nominate a Wall. If you know of a blank canvas in Benalla that could use a creative makeover, you can nominate it for the Festival, provided you have obtained the owner’s consent.
The Festival Curator will review your suggestions in collaboration with the Benalla Street Art Festival Advisory Committee.
The 2024 Benalla Street Art Festival has gained support from the Victorian Government’s Regional Events Fund.
In receiving the funds, Benalla Rural City Mayor Bernie Hearn thanked the Victorian Government for supporting festivals, creative exhibitions, and cultural celebrations.
“The financial support of the government to reactivate the Benalla Street Art Festival will help drive economic benefits for Benalla by increasing visitor numbers and length of stay, thereby boosting spending in regional areas and supporting local jobs,” Cr Hearn said.
State Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos said the government was delighted to support the Benalla Street Art Festival.
“We’re proud to support this vibrant festival as it takes over the streets of Benalla once again this year, bringing visitors from near and far to the region and boosting local business and jobs,” Mr Dimopoulos said.
Leading the 2024 Benalla Street Art Festival is newly appointed event Curator Eddie Zammit, who has more than 20 years of experience delivering creative projects of significant scale and scope.
In conjunction with the Benalla Street Art Festival Advisory Committee, Mr Zammit will carefully select the walls to be transformed during the Festival.
Raelene Stratton will chair the Advisory Committee, which features skills-based community members, Benalla Rural City Councillors and staff.
“My commitment to celebrating local stories and diversity makes me eager to bring a fresh perspective to the Festival,” Mr Zammit said.
“I believe in the transformative power of street art and its ability to connect communities.
“I thrive on pushing boundaries and redefining the realms of art, culture and entertainment.”
For more information or to submit an expression of interest to nominate a wall for the 2024 Benalla Street Art Festival, visit benalla.vic.gov.au/
Expressions of interest close on Friday, October 27.