State Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes recently announced that Benalla’s annual Wall to Wall Festival had secured the funding, which would help strengthen the town’s position as the regional art capital of Australia.
The funding is part of the state's $20 million Regional Events Fund (REF).
“In just four years this festival has grown into a world-class event bringing thousands of visitors and enhancing Benalla’s reputation as Australia’s regional art capital," Ms Symes said.
“We’re so proud to support events like this, which as well as bringing fantastic art to regional Victoria, support local jobs and boost country businesses.”
Launched in 2015, the dynamic arts festival attracts works from world-class street artists including local talents Rone, Adnate, Dvate and Kitt Bennett plus a line-up of high-profile international guests each year.
Throughout the festival weekend, visitors not only see artworks unfold before their eyes but are immersed in musical and cinematic performances, hands-on workshops, guided street art tours, artist talks and complementary exhibitions throughout the town, including notable displays in the Benalla Art Gallery.
The Wall to Wall Festival is one of regional Victoria’s most significant events with murals driving visitation to the region throughout the year and generating around $6 million towards the state’s visitor economy.
Wall to Wall committee member Shannon Tharratt welcomed the funding.
“Securing major funding for this project is crucial for the festival to continue running and growing every year," Ms Tharratt said.
"Aside from having a personal love for the festival, having the security of government funding to assist the viability of it is crucial for the role the festival holds in building the local economy, and that makes us all very excited.”
Tourism North East chief executive Amber Gardner welcomed the announcement.
“We’d like to thank the Victorian Government for investing in regional tourism and local businesses by supporting the Wall to Wall Festival," Ms Gardner said.
The state government’s Regional Events Fund is helping rural and regional towns across Victoria secure strong calendars of events that create local jobs and provide compelling attractions for community members.
Benalla is part of the High Country tourism region, which attracted more than four million domestic and international visitors who spent an estimated $1.3 billion in the year to March.
These impressive results come off the back of the government’s investment in tourism, which has helped deliver more than 200 events across the region, and major tourism campaigns including the new regional promotion Your Happy Space.
The Wall to Wall Festival will run from April 3 to 5 2020. For more information, visit www.walltowallfestival.com.
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