Regional Arts NSW is proud to announce, Artstate Wagga Wagga has been confirmed as amongst the best events in Australia with the announcement of National Finalists in the 2021 Australian Event Awards.

 

Artstate was a four-year project by Regional Arts NSW designed to showcase excellence in arts practice in the regions and to have an ongoing conversation from an inspirational range of speakers and panelists in order to share experiences and explore new ideas and partnerships for an exciting future. The final location on the Artstate trail was Wagga Wagga in 2020 which was delivered in partnership with Reginal Arts Development Organisation, Eastern Riverina Arts, and Wagga Wagga City Council.

 

Chair for Regional Arts NSW, Julie Briggs commented “RANSW is excited to be recognised as a Finalist in the Awards. Artstate Wagga Wagga was the final event in a four-year series that managed to combine a conference with an arts festival. We are very proud that through Artstate we were able to showcase the quality and diversity of arts in regional NSW.

 

“I extend congratulations to everyone that made the event possible from the speakers and artists to the production and events crew. The delivery of Artstate Wagga Wagga as one of the first COVID safe major events in regional NSW is testimony to the determination of our RANSW staff and especially our former CEO Ms Elizabeth Rogers.”

 

Entries are judged on all aspects of event management including best practice, innovation, marketing, stakeholder engagement and management, sustainability, and event legacy.

 

The 2021 Awards aimed to highlight the resilience and achievements of individuals and organisations in the industry and what they have been able to achieve despite Covid-19. Brenda LaPorte, co-chair of the Judging Panel, reported that “Judging the Event Awards in 2021 was an absolute pleasure. To be able to see the wide range of events and achievements that have been produced during such a difficult year made it clear to me that the events industry will come out the other side of this stronger and more capable.”

 

Congratulations to the winner, Parrtjima – A Festival in Light, an Aboriginal light festival that showcases the oldest continuous culture on earth through the newest technology – all on the 300-million-year-old natural canvas of the MacDonnell Ranges in Central Australia.