Half-century-old festival launches half-size program
Liz Hobday and Farid Farid |
As one of Australia’s largest arts festivals launches a scaled-down offering to mark its 50th anniversary, the NSW government says it has heavily backed the event.
The 2026 Sydney Festival, the first under artistic director Kris Nelson, will feature a slate of 67 shows and events, with 16 world premieres and 10 free events.
By comparison, the 2025 festival featured 130 shows and events, including 22 world premieres and 50 free arts attractions.
“I can promise you, the 50th anniversary of the Sydney Festival, this is going to be a cracker,” NSW Arts Minister John Graham said.
Ahead of the launch event on Thursday, Nelson disagreed January’s program was smaller than the previous year.
“I wouldn’t call it a reduced program. I mean, it’s certainly focused,” he said.
“As I understand it, budgets have maintained pretty similar patterns, with some usual ebb and flow.”
The NSW government had stepped in to make sure Sydney Symphony under the Stars went ahead after the City of Parramatta withdrew its support, Mr Graham said.
“I think that’s a pity, and I call on that council to reconsider,” he told reporters.
He also rejected suggestions the $1.2 billion Powerhouse Museum expansion and redevelopment had sucked up funds that could have been spent elsewhere.
“Both the NSW government and the federal government are increasing support for arts and culture, but we are struggling to keep up with the pressures that arts organisations are under,” he said.
Long famed for Australia’s best-known arts attraction – the Sydney Opera House – NSW has a growing list of arts organisations struggling with both funding and rising costs.
Its state government arts agency and institutional art gallery have both announced significant staff cuts in 2025.
State funding for the city’s landmark arts festival has remained stable, as has money from the City of Sydney, Nelson said, but rising production costs have made things precarious for subsidised arts events worldwide.
Nelson did not directly answer questions about whether organisers had approached the NSW government for more money, given the festival’s rising costs.
Documents submitted to the charities regulator in 2025 show the festival in the red, with expenses of $20.4 million and revenue of $18.6 million. Just under half of that revenue comes from government funding.
The 2026 program features the world premiere of Mama Does Derby, a major new commission by Virginia Gay and Windmill’s Clare Watson that will see Sydney Town Hall converted into a full-scale roller derby track.
There’s also the Australian premiere of LACRIMA, a three-hour cinematic contemporary theatre show telling the story of how the Princess of England’s wedding gown is made.
The opening weekend also features Live at Hickson Road: Effectos Especiales – a free outdoor event that’s part street performance and part live movie shoot.
Artist in residence Jacob Nash presents his final Blak Out program, featuring sculpture commission HELD by Yuwaalaraay wirringgaa artist Lucy Simpson, to be installed on Barangaroo’s Stargazer’s Lawn.
Sydney Symphony Under the Stars will be held across the middle weekend of the festival at a new location in Tumbalong Park at Darling Harbour.
Sydney Festival runs from January 8 to 25.
AAP
