Search on for region’s events of the future
Event organisers seeking support to grow their dream on the Sunshine Coast can now apply for funding under a special program.
The Rangebow Festival (August 1-4, 2024)
Applications will be open between July 15 and August 20 for Round 2 of the Emerging Events category within Sunshine Coast Council’s Major Event Sponsorship Program.
The first series of events funded through the new category included the Sunshine Coast Chamber Music Festival’s concert series and SHOWFEST that celebrated our growing film and TV industry through a series of events.
Still to come over the next month is the Australian Wearable Art Festival, where high-end fashion and art collide, and The Rangebow Festival which celebrates the creative life and spirit of everyone in The Range communities.
Rangebow Festival Director Wayne Parcell said being part of the Emerging Events program this year had enabled organisers to focus on growing attendance numbers.
Mr Parcell also said the program had provided valuable funds to market the event outside the region, thanks to the generous support of Sunshine Coast Council and business sponsors.
What we want to fund
- Events with good growth potential to generate substantial economic benefits for the region in the future.
- Those that are aimed at diversifying the region’s major events portfolio to enhance support for the arts and cultural sector.
- Events hosted in distinctive and captivating locales, including our hinterland.
- Initiatives requiring time to bolster their reputation and appeal to attract visitors beyond the region.
- Events held outside peak tourism periods.
Visit Council’s website for information or email [email protected].
What is our funding objective?
Sunshine Coast Council Economy Portfolio Councillor Joe Natoli said the emerging events category was like seed funding to help negotiate the ever-changing events landscape.
“The Sunshine Coast aims to be recognised as Australia’s premier regional events destination,” Cr Natoli said.
“For that recognition, we need to cultivate existing event initiatives, particularly if they have the potential to grow their audience.
“We have a successful portfolio of mass participation sporting events, but we need to support more arts and cultural options to ensure we can offer a diverse calendar of events on the Sunshine Coast for locals and visitors to enjoy.
“We are also working with the Sunshine Coast Events Industry Association who is keen to collaborate with and support local event organisers and suppliers.
“They are hosting a networking event on July 23 at the Solbar, Maroochydore with a panel of speakers, event experts who will discuss the Sunshine Coast events landscape versus the cost of living.”
Sunshine Coast Council’s Major Events Strategy 2018-2028 (2023 Refresh) provides an action plan to ensure that Major Events continue to contribute to the vision for the Sunshine Coast region to be Australia’s most sustainable region – healthy, smart and creative.
It also aims to deliver upon Council’s Regional Economic Development Strategy to boost the visitor economy and grow the region’s economy to $33 billion by 2033 and deliver 100,000 high value jobs.
In 2023, Council reviewed and refreshed the Strategy in close consultation with the Sunshine Coast Events Board.
A new initiative was the creation of the “emerging events” sponsorship category within the Major Events Sponsorship Program to enable Council to support a more diverse range of events, and identify those with growth potential to attract visitors to the region.
Upcoming Events
July 23 Sunshine Coast Events vs the Cost of Living
August 1-4 The Rangebow Festival
August 9 & 10 Australian Wearable Art Festival