Lotterywest grant for Fremantle Festivals

The City of Fremantle's festivals program will benefit from a $145,000 grant from Lotterywest.

The City proudly produces an annual festival program including: Walyalup | Fremantle Festival: 10 Nights in Port, Fremantle International Street Arts Festival, Hidden Treasures, Heritage Festival and Wardarnji, an annual Nyoongar-led cultural event.

The Lotterywest funding will be used across the City's major annual festivals to deepen creative programs and enhance community participation.

It will focus on enhancing projects that amplify marginal voices, providing artists and performers the opportunity to cultivate their skill in safe spaces, and enabling audiences to access diverse and shared experiences.

Fremantle MLA Simone McGurk presented the grant certificate to Fremantle Mayor Hannah Fitzhardinge and City of Fremantle CEO Glen Dougall on Friday.

Fremantle Mayor Hannah Fitzhardinge said the funding will connect community and help them to gain a better understanding of each other and the world around them.

"Creative activities have the power to strengthen the social fabric of local communities. Our festivals program is about challenging perceptions by putting on shows that give audiences the chance to experience different cultures and perspectives.

"The Lotterywest grant will enable us to expand the City's distinct, contemporary and inclusive programming through more collaborations with local organisations and community over the next year," Mayor Fitzhardinge said.

The festival programs are mostly free with affordable tickets to select shows, making them very accessible for locals and visitors to Fremantle.

Collectively, Fremantle Festivals draw an audience of more than 130,000 people across the year with more than 1,000 artists and community & cultural leaders involved.

Fremantle MLA Simone McGurk said the grant will contribute to Fremantle's appeal.

"Fremantle has a world-wide reputation for its vibrant festival and street art culture and the Cook Labor Government is proud to continue to support that reputation through this Lotterywest grant. 

"The events this grant supports reflect the multicultural spirit of our community and its strong commitment to reconciliation and celebration of First Nations peoples and culture.

"These kinds of events attract visitors and enthusiasts from all around the world and add to the excitement, colour and diversity of Fremantle’s artistic community," Minister McGurk said.

This year, Wardarnji will be held on Saturday 30 November at Esplanade Park, Fremantle.

The annual event celebrates Nyoongar culture through song, dance and storytelling.

Directed by renowned Nyoongar performer and producer Karla Hart, Wardarnji features a blend of traditional and contemporary dance by more than 100 performers of all ages.

There are market stalls showcasing local Aboriginal artists, makers and small business owners.

Food vendors will be open from 4.30pm with performances starting at 5.30pm.

For more about Wardarnji 2024 visit the Fremantle Arts Centre website: fac.org.au

Above image: (L-R) City of Fremantle CEO Glen Dougall, Hon. Simone McGurk MLA, Fremantle Mayor Hannah Fitzhardinge with Wardarnji performers at the Lotterywest grant certificate presentation.