News Alert |

This Ballarat Winter Festival we’re changing things up!

The City of Ballarat Events Team has tapped into the world of emerging technologies to give visitors a new reason to visit the city this winter.

They have combined the skills of programmers, artists and animators to allow visitors to explore the city in news ways.

This Ballarat Winter Festival the City of Ballarat will present two new offerings, the Activated ArtWalk and the Winteractive Arcade.

Activated ArtWalk 29 June – 28 July FREE The City of Ballarat has joined forces with six artists to create an immersive art experience for people walking around our creative city this winter.

The inaugural Ballarat Activated ArtWalk encourages visitors to look at the stories beneath the surface of our city, and of the people that once lived here, using augmented reality.

Augmented reality brings art to life by using technology to add moving images, text and sometimes sound to the original artwork. These moving images, text and sound can only be viewed using a smartphone app.

Walk the city’s laneways and streets to discover the six hidden artworks, then bring them to life using your smartphone and the EyeJack app.

The Activated ArtWalk is the first example of the City of Ballarat’s new Creative City Strategy in action, embedding creative thinking and skills into the Ballarat Winter Festival.

You can pick up a copy of your map at the Ballarat Town Hall, or view it online at ballaratwinterfestival.com

Winteractive Arcade Ballarat Mining Exchange 29 – 30 June and 13 – 14 July between 11am – 5pm

Explore the evolution of the arcade – from retro gaming to the new world of immersive technologies such as augmented and virtual reality – during the inaugural Winteractive Arcade.

For those who enjoy getting creative, you have the chance to use art and technology to experience something uniquely Ballarat.

You will also have the opportunity to see artist demonstrations using Tilt Brush – a Google application that allows you to paint in 3D with virtual reality.

So whether you’re a fan of gaming and new technologies, or you’re simply looking for a fun day out with your friends or family, then the Winteractive Arcade could be the answer you’re looking for. There is a cutting edge experience for everyone.

This event is presented by the City of Ballarat.  

Ticketing information for the Winteractive Arcade is available at ballaratwinterfestival.com.au

But that’s not all …

Ballarat businesses and tourism operators have come together to create an immersive winter experience to entice visitors to stay the entire weekend:

Plan your Ballarat Winter Festival experience by visiting ballaratwinterfestival.com.au for more information.

Quotes attributable to Deputy Mayor Jim Rinaldi:

“Our winter is well-known. Ask anyone about Ballarat and it’s likely they mention how cold they think our city gets. But it’s time we embrace our Ballarat winters.

In three weeks we’re going to give visitors plenty of reason to visit our beautiful city and to experience it as a living canvas.

For the first time, you will have the chance to explore our streets, laneways and buildings using augmented reality – it’s all part of the Activated Artwalk, an immersive experience that brings traditional art to life using your smartphone.

We’re also inviting visitors to journey back in time to the days of retro gaming at the Winteractive Arcade, where they can also explore just how far gaming has come by immersing themselves in augmented and virtual reality.

This Ballarat Winter Festival is all about bringing together the worlds of art and digital to encourage new ways of exploring this wonderful city.

As a Council, we’re extremely proud to change the conversation about winter in Ballarat by provide exciting new offerings for the whole family to enjoy this Ballarat Winter Festival.”