The Lakes Festival is celebrating its fourth year in November, and Central Coast Council is looking for new and exciting event ideas to join the 2018 Festival Program.
The Lakes Festival is a 10-day event which celebrates the beautiful waterways across the Central Coast. In 2017, the Festival attracted over 60,000 patrons over the 10 days, with over 600,000 people reached via a strong marketing campaign including print, outdoors, social media and radio. “Do you have an innovative idea?” a Council spokesperson said. “Think outside the box and get involved. “Examples of ideas we are looking for include art based events, major events, sculpture events/ projects, digital media and installation events/ projects, or any other innovative event you can think of. “Events are assessed by the committee on their potential to involve the local community and visitors to the region,” a Council spokesperson said. Events must incorporate the lake, either via location or theme, and should be located around one of the below event hubs: McKenzie’s Reserve, Budgewoi, Canton Beach Foreshore, Long Jetty Foreshore, Picnic Point, The Entrance, Gosford Waterfront, Ettalong Beach and any other waterways on the Central Coast (pending approval).
“This year you will be able to apply for funding via Central Coast Council’s grants program to assist with getting your idea/event off the ground,” a Council spokesperson said. “The two types of grants you can apply for are a Community Partnership Grant or a Place Activation Grant. “The Community Partnership Grant aims to support existing local community events and projects, and you can apply for funding for between $5,000 and $20,000 (combined cash and in-kind). “It is specifically designed for activities and events that have grown and are of interest to a particular community or provide benefit to the Central Coast Community.
“Eligible applicants for this grant include a legally constituted not-for-profit organisation, a group auspiced by a not-for-profit organisation, and a business.” A Place Activation Grant is provided to support individuals, artists, community organisations, members and businesses to deliver activities in the areas of Place Making, Creative Industry and Social Enterprise. “You are able to apply for funding up to $5,000 under this grant, with the grant focusing on a new activity that enhances our local community, creates public artwork, or helps develop a social enterprise that is unique and creative”, the Council spokesperson said This is open to community groups, a business, artists or individuals. Applications close on Wednesday, Feb 28. Source: Media release, Feb 14 Central Coast Council Media