Benalla Street Art Festival: Embracing change with call for new walls

Published on 09 October 2023

The highly anticipated return of the Benalla Street Art Festival is now official, with a fresh name, confirmed event date and exciting collaborative opportunities for local artists and property owners.

Renamed officially as the Benalla Street Art Festival, this event promises to transform Benalla's walls into vibrant canvases in March 2024, over the weekend of Friday 22 March to Sunday 24 March 2024.

The Benalla Street Art Festival organisers are eager to collaborate with property owners who are keen to showcase their support of the arts.

Nominate a Wall: Do you know of a blank canvas in town that could use a creative makeover? You can nominate a wall for the Festival, provided you have obtained the owner's consent. Your suggestions will be reviewed by the Festival Curator in collaboration with the Benalla Street Art Festival Advisory Committee.

The 2024 Benalla Street Art Festival has recently been awarded support from the Victorian Government’s Regional Events Fund.

In receiving the funds, Benalla Rural City Mayor Cr Bernie Hearn thanked the State Government for their support of festivals, creative exhibitions, and cultural celebrations.

“The financial support of the Victorian 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.

Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos said, "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."

Leading the 2024 Benalla Street Art Festival is newly appointed event Curator, Eddie Zammit, who has more than 20 years’ experience in delivering creative projects of significant scale and scope.

In conjunction with the Benalla Street Art Festival Advisory Committee, Eddie will carefully select the walls that will be transformed during the Festival. The Advisory Committee is chaired by Raelene Stratton, and comprised of skills-based community members and Councillors and directly supported by Council staff.

“My commitment to celebrating local stories and diversity makes me eager to bring a fresh perspective to the Festival,” Eddie 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 further information and to submit an EOI to nominate a wall for the 2024 Benalla Street Art Festival visit benalla.vic.gov.au/streetart

Expressions of interest close Friday 27 October 2023.

Image: Down the Rabbit Hole by Robyn Groves