Apply now to be part of Wollongong's Multicultural Festival
For more information about the one-off grants and to apply, visit Council’s website
Wollongong City Council media release: 21 April 2023
Do you have a great cultural dance, music, art, crafts, or performance idea that you’d like to share with your community?
Wollongong City Council is offering one-off grants to individuals or not-for-profit community groups who wish to perform or actively take part in the inaugural Wollongong Multicultural Festival.
The yet to be named festival will fill the gap left by Viva la Gong, which was last held in 2019 and cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic. Building on the Viva tradition, this brand-new festival that will incorporate multicultural, art, craft, and music elements.
“Viva la Gong was an important event of our city for many years, but our city has evolved, and we are confident this new event will meet the changing expectations of the community,’’ Wollongong City Lord Mayor Councillor Gordon Bradbery AM said.
“In recent years we’ve supported our creative community through grants programs and exciting one-off events like Spin Fest in the CBD and Helensburgh, Luminous and Laneways Live. The Wollongong Multicultural Festival is something new and exciting for people to embrace and enjoy.’’
Applications for the grants are open until 5pm Monday 8 May 2023. See here for more information on how to apply.
Cr Bradbery said that the Wollongong Multicultural Festival is scheduled for Saturday 21 October 2023, and will be a fun day out for the whole community.
“This is a brand-new event for the city and the intention is for the Wollongong Multicultural Festival to have a strong art, dance, and diversity focus,” Cr Bradbery said.
“Right now, we’re in the planning stage of the festival. What we’re looking for are people or not-for-profit community groups who have creative ideas and would like to perform or display their work at the event.
“The purpose of these one-off grants is to support our local community to be creative and build on your skills. I highly encourage everyone who has a music, dance, art, performance, craft, or some other great idea they’d like to share.”
Minister for Multiculturalism Steven Kamper expressed his support for the inaugural festival.
“We are proud to be working with Wollongong City Council to bring this exciting new festival to the community,” Mr Kamper said.
“Festivals are a fantastic way to bring communities together and celebrate and showcase the diverse cultures that make up our society.
“We encourage everyone to get involved and share their creative ideas and talents at the Wollongong Multicultural Festival.”
For more information about the one-off grants and to apply, visit Council’s website.
Save the date – Saturday 21 October 2023 is the Wollongong Multicultural Festival.
For event updates, follow the City of Wollongong on Facebook, Creative Wollongong on Facebook or wollongongcity on Instagram.
Funding for this project has been provided by the NSW Government.
