Philanthropist ‘Rescues’ Falls Music Festival

The Falls Music & Arts Festival is held annually in regional Tasmania and Victoria

The long-running Falls Music & Arts Festival held in Marion Bay in Tasmania and Lorne in Victoria each year has been ‘rescued’ thanks to a new major sponsorship by philanthropist Graeme Wood.

The rescue comes after the Tasmanian Government could make no guarantees as to their commitment to the annual music festival’s future at Marion Bay.

The founder of online travel site wotif.com, Wood has a track record of philanthropic commitment to the arts. He founded Artology, a Not for Profit dedicated to developing creativity in young people.

His other philanthropic involvements in the arts include the Fresh Ink young playwrights’ program at the Australian Theatre for Young People and the Red Room poetry initiative.

Described as one of Australia’s premier cultural events, The Falls Music & Arts Festival has a world class line-up of around 100 renowned and emerging performing artists to regional Tasmania and Victoria each year.

“The festival has played a significant role in fostering the artistic community in many ways, and in Tasmania, 27 local performance groups were included in the 2011 music & arts program,” the Founder of The Falls Music & Arts Festival Simon Daly said.

“Each festival attracts 40-50% of attendees from interstate. In 2011, the festival generated more tourism than any other single event in Tasmania with some 7,742 visitors travelling from interstate to enjoy 3 days of music, performance and film in Marion Bay’s idyllic natural setting. Staying an average of 9.23 nights, these visitors contributed to the $31.45m in economic benefit generated by the 2011 Tasmanian event.”

Graeme Wood said, “The Falls Music and Arts Festival is a case study of the tangible economic impact that creative events, and cultural and ecotourism, can have for the Tasmanian economy.

“As a philanthropist and businessman, this inspirational combination of creative endeavour and sustainable economic return is something I’m very keen to support,” Wood said.

Simon Daly said “I’ve seen the difference the festivals have made to their communities, not just in economic terms, but just as importantly, the social and cultural impact, particularly in Tasmania.”

“We created the festival in Marion Bay for Tasmanians, all Tasmanians. We’ve consciously made it the best value and most accessible festival in Australia and it’s rewarding to see such a broad mix of people, of all ages, connecting and having a great time together.

“Major events have huge budgets which is why they’re more commonly staged in larger markets. Tasmania is incredibly fortunate to have people like Graeme who understand the importance of supporting arts and cultural projects that are important to our community.”

It has been reported that last year the Falls Festival profited a modest $50,000 in Tasmania after costing $4.2 million to stage. Today, festival organisers would not disclose how much Graeme Wood is providing towards future Tasmanian events.

The Falls Music & Arts Festival is held annually in Lorne, Victoria (Dec 28-Jan 1) and Marion Bay, Tasmania (Dec 29-Jan 1).