Event Reporting Template Alice Springs Beanie Festival, 2018
Event description Event name: Alice Springs Beanie Festival Date/s: 29/6/18-15/7/18 Location/s: Araluen Arts Centre Alice Springs Organising body: Alice Springs Beanie Festival Inc Key contact person: Jo Nixon Other funders and partners: Alice Springs Town Council, Araluen Arts Centre
Key event photo:
Audience Total number of attendees: Alice Springs 55% Other NT 2% Melbourne 8% Victoria 6.5% Sydney 4% Other NSW 4% Brisbane 1.5% Other QLD 3% Adelaide 4% Other SA 1.5% Perth 1% Other WA 1% Hobart 2% Other Tas 1% ACT 1.5% Overseas 4.5%
Total 6359
Total number of staff and volunteers: 120 Attendee demographics: See evaluation forms attached Event description & strategic objectives What was the highlight of the event? The 2018 Alice Springs Beanie Festival was the biggest Beanie Festival in the world. 500 beanie makers from around the world sent in 6646 handmade creations to Beanie Central and 195 exquisite beanies to the National Beanie Exhibition. 7000 visitors attended the festival purchasing over 4600 beanies worth $192 000 breaking records of past years. 120 volunteers from around the globe also travelled to Alice Springs to help us run the best Festival ever. The highlight was the bringing together both locals and visitors from around the world to share in the artistic and community spirit that is the Alice Springs Beanie Festival. In May beanie making workshops were held over 2 weeks in Yuendumu and Haasts Bluff with Kristian Malenski and Julie Kitson (Indigenous beanie maker from Willowra community) as the workshop tutors. A series of workshops were also run in Alice Springs with the children who attend the Yapa Styles group. Titjikala Arts also ran a felting workshop making amazing beanies with Wendy Bailye from Brisbane. The workshops were well attended (about 60 participants) and the resulting beanies were gorgeous. Some beanies won prizes in the National Beanie Competition and many
were sold over the 2-week exhibition generating funds for the beanie makers. These workshops were funded by a grant from FestivalsNT.
The funding also allowed us to bring in artists from Titjikala, Willowra and from the Town Camps to attend the Festival weekend. 18 Indigenous artists ran beanie making workshops and demonstrations for the visiting public. Over 60 people sat with the artists over the weekend (and hundreds more watched quietly on). They learnt how to needle felt a beanie, the cultural stories told in the beanies and some local Indigenous words for pictures in the beanies. It was an amazing exchange of stories and culture as everyone sat together peacefully creating art. The Beanie Festival was born 22 years ago because of a workshop to teach the Indigenous women of Yuendumu beanie making. We consider our core business is to include the Indigenous artists of Central Australia. It is what sets us apart from other beanie festivals. They love being a part of the Festival learning new skills and the public love meeting them and seeing their works. We hope to be able to continue to include them in future festivals.
In the lead up marketing was extensive with advertisements in both art and travel magazines and websites (Textile Fire Forum, Embellish, Felt, Frankie Magazine, Fibre Art Now, Arts Hub, QANTAS Spirit, Outback Now, Homespun, Centralian Advocate and Alice Springs News, 8HA, SunFM radio and
8CCC). We were also listed on ‘What’s On’ calendars in ResidentNT, QANTAS Spirit magazine, Art Alamac, ArtsHub, Art Trail magazine and RedHotArts. Posters were distributed around Australia and throughout Alice Springs and the NT. We had a website presence on Trip Advisor, ATDW, Alice Springs Town Council, Tourism Central Australia and TourismNT. We also posted frequently on our Facebook and Instagram pages. The media highlight was coverage and 4 live crosses to the Today Show from the National Beanie Exhibition with several interviews with beanie makers and committee members. (A 4am start at -3 degrees on the Wednesday before the Festival is dedication to the cause!) The Festival weekend started with a Sponsors morning tea in the Exhibition Gallery which was well attended by both Government and private sectors hearing the story of the Festival and enjoying the amazing array of beanies. On the Friday night the official opening was well attended. This was primarily sponsored by the Alice Springs Town Council. The stage (set up in the Araluen carpark) was adorned with the giant beanie and we were entertained by an array of local performers both Indigenous and others, including Drum Atweme, Rusty and the Infidels, Yapa Aboriginal Styles and the Not Real Cowboys. The winning beanie show was also announced, and His Worship the Mayor Damien Ryan opened the Festival, with a Welcome to Country by Pat Ansell Dodds. There were 8 local food stalls and the Araluen Bar was open creating a humming, exciting Alice Springs night.
The rest of the week-end was full off many events. Central Craft held 30 textile workshops which were well attended, Tjanpi Desert Weavers ran 2 workshops both sold out, Batchelor Aboriginal Institute ran 4 Indigenous art workshops, the Purple House had a bush medicine stall, 8CCC did live broadcast with interviews and music, there was a children’s craft workshop where lovely, old ladies taught many enthusiastic children, free crochet workshops, needle felting with the Indigenous artists, our famous teashop, cake stall and BBQ and of the course the thrill of the chase in Beanie Central to find the perfect beanie and the intrigue of the National Beanie Exhibition creations.
Through a generous donation we offered a Youth Scholarship again this year inviting a young person to join the Committee and learn about putting on a Festival, thereby bringing the younger generation into the mix. Maika won the scholarship and spent 10 days helping to curate the Exhibition, set up Beanie Central, produce video and photograph content for Social Media, work in the teashop and catalogue the beanies. She was a fabulous asset to the Festival and learnt many new skills. We also took the effort to look after our volunteers this year. Most travel from around the world to attend the Festival, many had been before and knew the ropes the rest were Beanie Virgins. We had a Volunteers Welcome Drinks prior to opening to share what the weekend will bring and meet one another, then on the Sunday night a thank-you dinner at the Gillen Club with the chance to relax, mingle and share stories and adventures. Feedback through social media, evaluations and visitors book were all very positive. The volunteers and beanie makers were all thrilled to be a part of the Beanie Festival. And the committee proud of what we achieved. Hooray!!! Please see supporting documents in attachments (program, evaluations, visitor numbers). Also attached is a detailed report of spending for FestivalsNT grant and an overall profit and loss for the Festival to date
What would you like to improve in future iterations of the event? Space is always an issue, speaking to the director of Araluen, Whitchettys is to be renovated and extended in December this year which should improve things for future beanie festivals. We have decided to extend some of the opening hours as requested by the public. More food on the Friday night. Tweak some of the volunteer shifts. But overall we have a well oiled program that everyone loves, and receive lots of comments bout how well the festival and volunteers are organised and how smoothly everything runs.
(If this event has been held before) What did you try that was new and different in this event this year? Batchelor Institute held a series of Indigenous run textile workshops for the first time. They were a huge success and we hope to include them again in future years.
Please explain how your event met the strategic objectives of FestivalsNT Funding. Answer at least two of the following questions-
1. How did this event showcase the NT? The Beanie Festival core business is to ensure local and remote Indigenous artsists are included and have ownership of the Festival, it’s what makes our Beanie Festival unique. Having beanies made during our remote workshops on Exhibition and for sale showcases the NT and it’s unique residents. Having the Indigenous Artists visit the Festival and run workshop for the tourists also promotes the NT to visitors and gives them a feel for the local culture and how rich it is.
2. How did this event attract visitors to the NT?
We have over 500 beanie makers from around the world create beanies for the Festival and nearly a third of them travel to the NT to volunteer at the Festival. We spend a lot of effort ensuring the volunteers and beanie makers are made to feel welcome, appreciated, special and loved. Much time is spent on the processes of cataloguing, decataloguing, writing cheques, volunteer shifts, welcome drinks, farewell dinners, listening to stories, sharing ideas, posting on FB, keeping website up to date……all these things make beanie makers and volunteers feel included and a part of the beanie family…and then they spread the word to all their friends…and they rebook tickets for next year…and their friends book tickets….and they all love coming to the Territory and being a part of the amazing NT community spirit.
3. What was this event’s impact on the community? What does it add to cultural/community life in the NT?
The Beanie Festival brings Alice Springs alive for both the local community and visitors alike. It is full of community spirit and brings art and culture in a touchable, wearable, inspiring, colourful, joyful experience. Everyone in Alice loves the Beanie Festival and everywhere you go over the Festival time the town is always smiling to see another amazing beanie on someone’s head. The town is proud to host the biggest and best beanie festival in the world.
What was this event’s economic impact? The Festival has a positive impact on the economic impact of the town, it may not bring in the same dollars as the motor sports but it is still significant.
What did visitors say about this event? What was good?
Beanies, Community spirit uniqueness of beanies, volunteers, beanies, all the beanies, volunteers helpfulness, the people, displays, peoples excitement, everyone buying armfuls of beanies, felting, doing workshops, local supportive fun, 3 hour Friday night celebration tight programming and great entertainment, community, tradition, workshops, gallery, all the beanies, inspiring crafty atmosphere, the beanies and the people, the music, community spirit and beanies, variety amount of beans great fun atmosphere, having community together in one place, beautiful, happy, meeting wonderful people, the way it started history growing community, the best beanies, love that its open to everyone, affordable and the festival feel, atmosphere, wackiness, colour, activity, atmosphere, comradery creative vibe, love looking in the gallery, distances travelled, hanging beanies, community participation in Alice Springs, the beanies, sharing creativity with kindred spirits, interaction with so many people from so many places, community feel, diversity of people attending, beanies, friendship, atmosphere, yes by far, everything, the amount of beanies, the friendship of the volunteers, its pretty good now, learning and sharing stories, meeting Gay and David Epstein, friendship and originality, the enthusiasm it greats and funds raised for Aboriginal communities, I’m wrapped in the felting not going home till I know how to felt, crowd happiness, raising money for Aboriginal programs, volunteering, important positive support for Aboriginals and learning from each other, community spirit, use of funds after festival, atmosphere, friendliness of people, happy
go lucky, atmosphere and the people, inclusion of Aboriginals, fun creativity, Indigenous participation, atmosphere and support for Aboriginal communities, celebration of community and people interaction, range of beanies, fabulous great imagination, people, workshops and events, authentic community, atmosphere is great everyone so friendly, everything, it’s really well organised, everything, delightful atmosphere, meeting people, the creativity, meeting friendly people and having fun, the beanies, the friendship, the ideas and inspiration, the atmosphere, generosity of spirit by all the volunteers, beanies and beanie makers, meeting people before during and after, meeting Kristian who picked us up all the time, loved the workshops, everyth9ing, everything, love and care, the fun friendship and creative ideas, workshops, just being around the people and the excitement, the beanies, people, exhibition, creativity, happy people, being able to participate in such a wholesome event, the pumpkin soup, the community focus, common interest and workshops, all the beanies, atmosphere, different nationalities, number of males interested and a wide age range, all the beanies, free activities for the kids, the colour, lovely cultural differences enjoyed each day spectacular gallery, the colours, good fun plus commaradmanship, food, the beanies, fun enjoyed the creativity, uniqueness, the wide range of people, the dedication of its volunteers, people enjoying themselves unconsciously, a bit fun and interesting, uniqueness, seeing Aboriginal people being creative, good vibes happy atmosphere, sponsored transport, colour, people, people meet together esp. children, unique, fantastic, well organised, unique handmade beanies, collection, how it brings people together, relaxed atmosphere, well organised, still a gold coin donation, its different, great designs, it was really quirky and fun, the beanies, brings people together, checking out the beanies, craft work and beanies, brings together a fantastic group of people, attracts lots of different types of people, the very talented people around, beanies, the uniqueness never seen anything like it, because its so unique have been to markets elsewhere where people have mentioned it, trying everything on, looking around, the friendly atmosphere, beanies and workshops, beanies, it’s a hoot admire skill and creativity, lots of fun, great social environment, exhibition, its all different, very colourful, beanie central and the atmosphere, beanie central community and fun, the gallery, integration and local people, the people the colour the excitement, opening night party, organization and volunteers great, great annual event, draws lots of people, talked about everywhere, well publicized, love knitting not many festivals like this, the colours, unique exciting definitely a must see and do, friendly, helpful, inclusive of community, seeing how much talent thee is very motivating, crazy beanies, the lady who served us was amazing, variety and length event has run, the beanies, well organised, well promoted, the crafty people you meet, beanies come from all over Australia, exhibition fantastic, valid artform, beanie central, the people, colours, creativity, beanies, everything is unique and interesting, positive interaction between people, breaks down social barriers great to see so many men involved, people in Norway know about the beanie festival, I like it its busy meet with other people lots of people come from all walks of life, gallery, exhibition, fun event.
How can it be improved? Bigger space, all great, nothing, good coffee, have another person on exit, nothing, beanie songs, vary the Friday night entertainment, would like more knitted offering from Aboriginal community, laksa stall on Friday night., a long mirror at the end of each row for tall people, nothing really, bigger space, baskets to hold beanie, nothing really advertising is good, organization has been fantastic, all good, more chairs for opening, you seem to know what you are doing, a bigger space, pedestrian crossing across Larapinta drive to the tourist park, improved air conditioning, air conditioning,, more workshops, advertising local banners and interstate, keep it the way it is, more funding and support, all good great recipe it works well now, ATM Bendigo bank, nothing it’s great,
more publicity, broader interstate advertising, nothing, more space in beanie central better it is good now, sound for artists on stage, even more workshops, better coffee van, not really, nothing it’s , nothing, excellent as it is, nothing, wonderful, a free beanie bus, it is planned and well executed, open all day Friday, good barista coffee, EFTPOS cash out facilities, , better PR and advertising all over Australia, can’t think of anything, include information tours and more advertising in seniors magazines, the queue for sales versus the canteen, Festival to sponsor a close hotel, coffee van required on Friday night, all good, bigger space, sort the beanies into separate categories, the website, better coordination at the stalls, Naah, nothing its perfect, lower priced beanies, more Aboriginal design beanies, all good, bigger area for display, noth9ing, nothing really, like to see another travelling beanie festival, all good well organised, street party bigger, great for me, more food options, more creative stuff every day, bigger venue and more order, all good keep up the great work, more signage and bigger space, more signs for easier navigation, all good, bigger space, can’t think of anything, more stalls, nothing, no, no, all good, it might outgrow the location, nothing, all good, less miles between Alice and Adelaide, more food outside, vegetarian options, nah, more time, signage outside the workshops, not really., bigger space, organization of beanies, more bigger, all good fulfils purpose, coffee cart, list opening times on website.
Media coverage Newspaper: 5 articles in local newspapers Television: National coverage on the Today Show Wed June 26, ABC news territory wide Radio: 10 radio interviews locally and territory wide ABC Social media: 82.1k hits on FB, lots of comments, shares and likes
Action taken to acknowledge support from FestivalsNT Where was the FestivalsNT logo used in collateral for the event (provide screen shots as appropriate)? Logo was on Festival poster which went nation wide, beanie entry forms (to 550 beanie makers around the world), magazine advertising ( Frankie, Textiles Down Under, Felt, Textile Fibre Forum, Embellish, QANTAS Spirit magazine, FibreArtNow (USA), ArtsHub website, OutbackNow) Local newspapers (Advocate, Alice Springs News), website (www.beaniefest.org) Was FestivalsNT’s support acknowledged in other ways? Thank you at sponsors morning tea and Friday night opening speeches.
Safety Were there any accidents or near misses at your event? Please itemise below. Only accident was someone pricking themselves with a needle….need to have alcohol swabs at next years festival. What did you learn from these accidents or near-misses? What would you change at future events to minimise the risk of accidents such as these occurring again? Alcohol swabs.
Budget Please provide a breakdown of how your funding from FestivalsNT was spent.
For events with funding equal to or exceeding $50,000- Please be aware that an independently audited financial statement must to be provided as soon as practicable after 30 June in the year of the Funding Period to FestivalsNT. The financial statement must be prepared in accordance with generally acceptable accounting principles consistently applied and clearly and separately identify: -The receipt and use of the Funds; -Details of the actual event to which the Funded Project relates to, including the Recipient/Administering Body's total budget in managing and completing the event; -Profit and loss and cash flow in relation to the Event;