Sydney Festival seeks to foster an inclusive and secure environment that extends to everyone involved in the celebration of the arts, including our audiences, artists, workers and volunteers. Our commitment is to create an event that warmly embraces diversity and reflects the richness of our community.

We champion the rights of all individuals to enjoy freedom of speech and expression, recognising its centrality in the creation of great art.

At this moment there is distress within communities and across the nation caused by the tragic loss and suffering of innocent lives due to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. We trust our community to be united in a call for the protection of all innocent lives caught in the conflict whilst acknowledging that there is deep division on how this is best achieved.

Recognising our collective duty to foster a safe and inviting environment for everyone, we urge all those involved in the Festival – be they audience members, artists, staff or volunteers – to actively embrace this responsibility. We ask individuals to collaborate with us in building an atmosphere of safety and inclusivity, characterised by mutual respect and tolerance.

Sydney Festival acknowledges the 29 clans of the Eora Nation, the Traditional Owners of the land on which the Festival takes place. We pay our respects to Elders past and present, and recognise the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities.

Embracing the art of summer since 1977, Sydney Festival is a city-wide celebration of culture, creativity and the questioning mind. From the streets to the beach, in stately theatres and in secret basements, it animates locations across Greater Sydney with a trailblazing free and ticketed program of theatre, music, dance, visual art and all the experimental in-between places of live performance.

As a dedicated commissioner of new Australian works, Sydney Festival showcases our nation’s diverse storytellers to the world, whilst drawing the world’s finest artists to Sydney.

Many of Australia’s most memorable productions have resulted from Sydney Festival commissions and premieres, including Cloudstreet (1998), Black Chicks Talking (2003), Three Furies (2005), uniquely Australian musical The Adventures of Snugglepot & Cuddlepie and Little Ragged Blossom (2007), the outrageous cabaret Smoke and Mirrors (2010), The Secret River (2013), Black Diggers (2014), contemporary circus ensemble Circa’s Humans (2017), multi-award-winner Counting and Cracking (2019), BLACK TIES (2020), Gravity & Other Myths’ The Pulse (2022), landmark First Nations production Wudjang: Not the Past (2022), Legs On The Wall’s epic work of scale THAW (2022) and Stephanie Lake’s critically acclaimed Manifesto (2023).

We're proud to have hosted major Australian musicians, performers and comedians including Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Archie Roach, Ruby Hunter, Gotye, Regurgitator, Emma Donovan, Tex Perkins, Megan Washington, Meow Meow, Christa Hughes, Yana Alana, Celia Pacquola, Joseph Tawadros Quartet and Amyl and the Sniffers.

World-leading artists and companies that have shared work with Sydney Festival audiences in recent years include Lithuanian artists Rugilė Barzdžiukaitė, Vaiva Grainytė, and Lina Lapelytė’s opera-performance Sun & Sea, James Thierry’s ROOM, and Spain’s formidable queen of flamenco Sara Baras’ Alma (2023); UK electronic legend Leon Vynehall’s Floors of Heaven (2022); Lars Jan and Early Morning Opera’s Joan Didion’s The White Album, performance artist Bryrony Kimmings’ I’m A Phoenix, Bitch, and choral choir Tenebrae (2020); Schaubühne Berlin and Complicité’s Beware of Pity, Ethiopian legend Mulatu Astatke, Neneh Cherry, and American artist Nick Cave’s epic exhibition UNTIL (2019); Wayne McGregor, Olafur Eliasson and Jamie xx’s ballet collaboration Tree of Codes, National Theatre’s Barber Shop Chronicles, The Wooster Group’s The Town Hall Affair, Pussy Riot Theatre’s RIOT DAYS, and DryWrite and Soho Theatre’s hit Fleabag (2018); Complicité’s The Encounter, Cheek By Jowl with Pushkin Theatre’s Measure For Measure (2017); James Thierry’s Tabac Rouge (2015); Sasha Waltz’s underwater dance opera Dido and Aeneas (2014); and Ludger Engels and Vivienne Westwood’s Baroque-punk Semele Walk (2013).

These works join a long roster and legacy of extraordinary work and artists including: Ariane Mnouchkine and Thèâtre du Soleil (Flood Drummers); Robert Wilson (The Black Rider); Robert Lepage (Far Side of the Moon, The Andersen Project, Lipsynch); Nederlands Dans Theater; Philip Glass; Ian McKellen (Dance of Death); Batsheva Dance Company; National Theatre of Scotland (Beautiful Burnout, Black Watch, Aalst); Al Green; Chaka Khan; Andrew Weatherall; AR Rahman; Angélique Kidjo; Kneehigh Theatre (Tristan & Yseult, The Red Shoes); and Fabulous Beast (Rian).

For more information on Sydney Festival down the years, visit our archive.

Sydney Festival was conceived by the Sydney Committee, the NSW State Government and the City of Sydney to attract Sydneysiders into the city centre during the holiday month of January.

The first Festival took place in 1977 and it has since grown to become one of Australia's largest annual cultural celebrations with an international reputation for modern, popular and intelligent programming. Sydney Festival celebrates our city, and the Festival’s style and energy reflect the confidence, diversity and vigour of one of the world's most beautiful cities. 

The Festival has a rich history of bringing the world’s best artists and companies to Sydney stages, and showcasing and nurturing the best of Australia’s homegrown talent.

Many of Australia’s most memorable productions have resulted from Sydney Festival commissions and premieres, including highlights from Cloudstreet (1998) to Black Chicks Talking (2003), Three Furies (2005), uniquely Australian musical The Adventures of Snugglepot & Cuddlepie and Little Ragged Blossom (2007), the outrageous cabaret Smoke and Mirrors (2010), The Secret River (2013), Black Diggers (2014), contemporary circus ensemble Circa’s Humans (2017), multi-award-winner Counting and Cracking (2019) and BLACK TIES (2020).

The buzz of Sydney in January wouldn’t be the same without Festival appearances from major Australian musicians, performers and comedians including Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Archie Roach, Ruby Hunter, Gotye, Regurgitator, Emma Donovan, Tex Perkins, Megan Washington, Meow Meow, Christa Hughes, Yana Alana and Celia Pacquola.

World-leading artists and companies that have shared work with Sydney Festival audiences in recent years include Lars Jan and Early Morning Opera’s Joan Didion’s The White Album, performance artist Bryrony Kimmings’ I’m A Phoenix, Bitch, and choral choir Tenebrae (2020); Schaubühne Berlin and Complicité’s Beware of Pity, Ethiopian legend Mulatu Astatke, Neneh Cherry, and American artist Nick Cave’s epic exhibition UNTIL (2019); Wayne McGregor, Olafur Eliasson and Jamie xx’s ballet collaboration Tree of Codes, National Theatre’s Barber Shop Chronicles, The Wooster Group’s The Town Hall Affair, Pussy Riot Theatre’s RIOT DAYS, and DryWrite and Soho Theatre’s hit Fleabag (2018); Complicité’s The Encounter, Cheek By Jowl with Pushkin Theatre’s Measure For Measure (2017); James Thiérrée'sTabac Rouge (2015); Sasha Waltz’s underwater dance opera Dido and Aeneas (2014); and Ludger Engels and Vivienne Westwood’s Baroque-punk Semele Walk (2013), to name but a few.

These works join a long roster and legacy of extraordinary work and artists including: Ariane Mnouchkine and Thèâtre du Soleil (Flood Drummers); Robert Wilson (The Black Rider); Robert Lepage (Far Side of the Moon, The Andersen Project, Lipsynch); Nederlands Dans Theater; Philip Glass; Ian McKellen (Dance of Death); Batsheva Dance Company; National Theatre of Scotland (Beautiful Burnout, Black Watch, Aalst); Al Green; Chaka Khan; Andrew Weatherall; AR Rahman; Angélique Kidjo; Kneehigh Theatre (Tristan & Yseult, The Red Shoes); and Fabulous Beast (Rian).

For more information on each Sydney Festival visit our archive.

Olivia Ansell was announced as the new Festival Director for 2022 by the Sydney Festival Board of Directors in June 2020.

Olivia – a highly accomplished arts professional with over two decades’ experience as a director, choreographer and performing artist – commenced her three-year tenure in November 2020, coming to the role after two and a half years as Head of Contemporary Performance at Sydney Opera House.

Voted one of Vivid Sydney’s Top 100 Creative Catalysts, Olivia possesses a vast breadth of art experience, including roles as co-Executive Producer and creative force behind the hugely-popular immersive experience Hidden Sydney; Artistic Director of Sydney Comedy Festival at Sydney Town Hall; Curator of Kings Bloody Cross for Vivid Ideas; producer of Richard Walley OAM and Nigel Jamieson’s large-scale concert spectacular, HOME for Perth International Arts Festival; Consultant Executive Producer for OzAsia Festival Adelaide; and inaugural Executive Producer of Shaun Parker & Company. She is also a lecturer in Movement for the Sydney Conservatorium of Music’s Con Opera School.

Since 2017, Olivia has curated and championed a diverse range of maverick storytellers to the Sydney Opera House stage, including Lucy Moss and Toby Marlow’s cult musical SIX; Hofesh Shechter’s critically acclaimed Grand Finale; Lin Manuel Miranda’s In the Heights; A O Lang Pho by Cirque Nouveau du Vietnam; Natalia Osipova and David Hallberg’s Pure Dance and Australian comedian Hannah Gadsby’s hit show, Douglas.

The full announcement can be read here.

Previous directors were:
Wesley Enoch AM 2017–2021
Lieven Bertels: 2013–2016
Lindy Hume: 2010–2012
Fergus Linehan: 2006–2009
Brett Sheehy: 2002–2005
Leo Schofield: 1998–2001
Anthony Steel: 1995–1997
Stephen Hall: 1977–1994

PATRON

Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC, Governor of New South Wales

Kate Dundas – Chair

Kate Dundas has forged a career in public policy, media and cultural leadership. Senior roles include Executive Director of Performing Arts at the Sydney Opera House where she led programming, event management, production and venue hire divisions. During her extensive career with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Kate held senior executive roles including Director of ABC Radio, Head of Music Networks and Director People and Culture. She has worked in public policy areas in both state and federal government. Her NSW Government experience includes Deputy Secretary Arts and Culture and two executive roles in the NSW Premier’s Department.

Kate is a Board Director of the Sydney Festival, Deputy Chair of Australia for UNHCR and Deputy Chair of the Sydney Writers’ Festival. She also works as an Executive Mentor with private clients and as part of McCarthy Mentoring. Additionally, Kate works on a project basis as a subject matter expert on cultural projects in Australia and overseas. Kate has a Bachelor of Communications, is a Vincent Fairfax Fellow and graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Andrew Cameron AM

Andrew has served on the boards of the Biennale of Sydney, Belvoir, SCAF, ACCA, and Melbourne Art Fair and Foundation. He was Deputy Commissioner for Australia’s presentation at the Venice Biennale, is currently Chair of the Foundation at Art Gallery of New South Wales, Chair of Artspace, and is a member of the International Council of the Tate in London – as well as sitting on the Tate Asia-Pacific Advisory Committee. 

He holds the position of Executive Chairman for a group of private businesses and has had previous careers in architecture and merchant banking. In addition, Andrew was made a Member of the Order of Australia in 2014 for significant services to the performing and visual arts.

Darren Dale – Deputy Chair

Producer, Blackfella Films

Since joining Blackfella Films in 2000 Darren has produced many award-winning factual productions for SBS including the landmark multi-platform history series First Australians, feature documentaries The Tall Man, Deep Water - The Real Story and In My Own Words, two seasons of the Logie Award-winning First Contact, plus the series DNA Nation, How ‘Mad’ Are You? and two seasons of Filthy Rich and Homeless.

In collaboration with acclaimed UK writer Jimmy McGovern, Darren has also produced, with Miranda Dear, two series and a telemovie of the Logie Award and AACTA Award-winning Redfern Now for ABC1. He also produced with Miranda Dear the telemovie Mabo, commissioned by the ABC to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the landmark High Court decision, and the crime drama Deep Water for SBS.

He was Executive Producer on the Logie and AACTA Award winning teen drama series Ready for This for ABC3.

Darren currently serves on the board of NIDA and AFI and was previously on the board of Sydney Film Festival, Screen NSW and the Council of the Australian Film, Television and Radio School (AFTRS). In 2012 he was the recipient of the prestigious AFTRS Honorary Degree.

Dr Robert Lang

Director

Dr Robert Lang is a leader in city building, community engagement, strategic urban planning, economic development, creating great public places, transport infrastructure, place management, arts, tourism and energy.

He has extensive experience in the public service, gained within a combination of state & local government businesses.

He has a long involvement in the arts, theatre production and direction, music creation and performance, training young people in the performing arts, delivering arts to western Sydney audiences and significant experience in outdoor events.

He has a focus on place making and place development and bringing together the drivers for making great cities. He has a keen interest in the potential of western Sydney to provide business growth & economic development opportunities and the goal of making Sydney a livable city with more jobs closer to home.

As a former CEO for Parramatta City Council he understands local government, knows how to develop a compelling vision for the city and deliver major new city property & infrastructure developments. He brought major new events to Parramatta, implemented a new place-making focus and initiated the Western Sydney Light Rail project.

Dr Lang currently serves on the Riverside Advisory Committee and has a number of interests in the not for profit sector including disability services, affordable housing, education and the arts.

Karen Mundine 

CEO and Company Secretary, Reconciliation Australia

Karen Mundine is from the Bundjalung Nation of northern NSW. As the CEO and Company Secretary at Reconciliation Australia, Ms Mundine brings to the role more than 20 years’ experience leading community engagement, public advocacy, communications and social marketing campaigns. Over the course of her career she has been instrumental in some of Australia’s watershed national events including the Apology to the Stolen Generations, Centenary of Federation commemorations, Corroboree 2000 and the 1997 Australian Reconciliation Convention.

Ms Mundine holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from the University of Technology Sydney and is a Director of the Gondwana Choirs and the Australian Indigenous Leadership Centre.

Previous roles include Mary Mackillop Board Director, Deputy Chief Executive and General Manager Communication and Engagement, Reconciliation Australia; Senior Consultant, CPR Communications; senior public affairs and communications roles with federal government departments including Prime Minister and Cabinet and Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Abs Osseiran

Abs Osseiran is a Corporate Tax Partner and Consumer Sector Lead for Deloitte Tax & Legal in Australia. He has a stellar track record with major multinational companies and deep expertise in tax governance. He holds Board roles with Queer Screen Limited and the Can Too Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation focused on raising money for cancer prevention and research.

Abs has also previously served on the boards of the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras and Sydney World Pride. A qualified lawyer and accountant, Mr. Osseiran’s strong governance credentials and commitment to the art, make him a valuable addition to the Sydney Festival team. As well as being a Board Director with the Festival, Mr Osseiran will chair the Board’s Audit and Risk Committee.

Yeesum Lo

Head of Development at Paramount Australia and New Zealand

Appointed by Paramount in 2020, Yeesum is responsible for identifying and progressing content commissions across Network 10, Paramount+, MTV and Nickelodeon.

Born and raised in Hong Kong, Yeesum’s career has taken her to New York, Los Angeles, and Sydney. As a content executive, she previously spent nearly a decade at Endemol Shine Group (Banijay) in various roles, including C-level project management and strategy, and was a B&T 30 under 30 winner. As Director of Digital for Australia, she managed digital content and commercial strategy for major programs like MasterChef, Survivor, and Married At First Sight, and implemented industry-leading management protocols.

Yeesum also serves as Co-Chair for Paramount’s Reconciliation Action Plan Working Group and is a dedicated advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion in media and the arts. She is a Dr. John Yu Fellow at the University of Sydney’s Business School and holds a Master of Fine Arts from the Peter Stark Producing Program at the University of Southern California. Additionally, she graduated with merit from the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Dr. Sunil Badami

Dr. Sunil Badami is a writer, broadcaster, academic, digital educator and journalist. He has over twenty years’ experience in the arts and media sectors and has worked with a variety of organisations such as the ABC, Kaldor Public Art Projects, Diversity Arts Australia and Creative Australia. Dr Badami currently serves on the Board of the Canberra Writers Festival and is a member of the UTS School of Communications Industry Advisory Board. Growing up in Western Sydney and the NSW Central Coast, his passion for diversity and representation aligns with Sydney Festival’s mission to celebrate and reflect the communities and interests which make up our city.

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Sydney Festival office details

Level 5, 10 Hickson Road
The Rocks NSW 2000
Australia

Phone: (+61) 2 8248 6500
Fax: (+61) 2 8248 6599
Email: mail[at]sydneyfestival.org.au

Ticketing and box office inquiries
Email: ticketing[at]sydneyfestival.org.au

Volunteering inquiries
Email: volunteer[at]sydneyfestival.org.au

Sign up to get a printed copy of the beautiful 2025 Festival brochure sent right to your door – for those who appreciate something tangible, or love to use a highlighter.

Register your details here to receive a copy in the mail.

Browse Sydney Festival annual reviews below or explore our Festival Archives.

Annual Review 2024
Annual Review 2023
Annual Review 2022

Applications for the Sydney Festival 2025 Arts Industry Program are now open.

Arts Pass is designed to provide greater Sydney Festival opportunities for practicing artists and arts workers in Australia.

The benefits include:

1. Access to a limited number of discounted Arts Pass tickets to most^ Sydney Festival events
2. Access to exclusive artist and industry events
3. Membership is free and lasts for the duration of the festival
   
   

We use the following definitions of ‘professional performing or visual artist’ and ‘performing or visual arts worker’ in assessing applications:

• A professional performing or visual artist is a person who creates works of performing or visual arts, who is paid for their artistic practice, whose practice contributes to the development of art and culture, and who is recognized as a professional artist by their peers.
• An arts worker is a person who works professionally in the performing or visual arts and contributes directly to the processes of making art – but is not necessarily an ‘artist’. Examples of eligible professions include; paid stage managers, production managers, lighting, sound, set and costume makers and designers, arts marketers, producers, curators and programmers. Please note that teachers, students, ushers and hospitality staff are not eligible for this card (unless your arts practice is in addition to this work).

Please note: to qualify for the program, artists and arts workers must be currently practicing – this means having at least one work professionally funded, developed or produced in the past 12 months. The Arts Industry Program is open to Australian residents only, although work undertaken overseas is eligible for qualification.

Arts Pass discounts are only available on selected full priced General Admission or A Reserve tickets, exclusions apply.

Apply here

If you are unable to use the form, please contact us on 02 8248 6500

Each January Sydney Festival shakes up our city with a summer festival of art, music, dance, theatre and immersive experiences. We are proud of our long history of commissioning ground-breaking new Australian art, and we're equally proud to be a great place to work, with many of the seasonal team members returning year after year.

The team, which swells to over 100 during festival season, is tight, and the environment supportive. The harbour views from our office are to die for and our coffee machine best in show. 

Sydney Festival is committed to equity and inclusion. We welcome and encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, people with disability and people from the LGBTQI+ community. Sydney Festival strives to make reasonable adjustments to provide a supportive and barrier-free workplace. If you require any adjustments before or during the selection process, please mention this with your application.

Marketing Specialist

The The Marketing Specialist is a key player in the planning and implementation of the overall marketing campaigns for Sydney Festival with core responsibilities around advertising, media partnerships, paid social media and promotional campaigns.  

Essential Skills and Attributes:

• Demonstrated experience managing paid social media campaigns 
• Highly developed project management skills  
• Strong analytical and problem solving skills  
• Outstanding written and oral communications skills 
• Knowledge of digital marketing trends and the Australian cultural sector.  
• Experience in arts, music, culture or entertainment industries highly regarded. 
• Proven high level organisational and time management skills, high level attention to detail and follow through  
• Ability to work effectively in a team  
• Proven initiative and high levels of self-motivation, as well as the ability to work unsupervised 
• Proven ability to work under pressure as well as plan and prioritise an often heavy workload  
• Experience in a high-profile, busy and dynamic environment  

More info

Disability Inclusion Action Plan

The Sydney Festival Disability Inclusion Action Plan (DIAP) supports the Festival's commitment to welcome everyone in Sydney, regardless of accessibility needs, and provides our organisation with strategic direction in addressing accessibility issues.

Read our Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2022 - 2024 in the following formats:

View PDF

View Word Doc

Reconciliation Action Plan (DRAFT)

Sydney Festival's vision for reconciliation is to formally and informally engage with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists and communities, and to positively contribute to closing the gap between Indigenous and other Australians. 

Read our Reconciliation Action Plan (DRAFT) in the following formats: 

View PDF

View Word Doc

We are proud of the role Sydney Festival plays in introducing audiences to new and established work from across the globe, yet we recognise that staging such productions, especially international work, comes at a cost to the environment which we both cherish and rely on to create world-class live events.

The performing arts benefit the community in ways beyond measure, so it is imperative that the industry adapts in order to deliver these benefits without exacting an unacceptable environmental toll.

Sydney Festival embraces the role it plays as a leading creative organisation in championing this evolution in operations, in raising awareness of climate change through the works we stage, and encouraging and empowering our local, national and international partners, staff, sponsors, vendors and audiences to adopt better practices.

We are striving to adopt greener ways of working by reducing our waste, using clean energy sources when available, partnering with sustainable companies and exploring the most impactful options for carbon offsetting that deliver a legitimate and evidence-based reduction of emissions.

At Sydney Festival we are committed to reducing our carbon footprint and doing our utmost to support global change towards a sustainable future.

We also commit to ongoing improvement of our sustainability practices: we will evaluate achievements and review priorities annually to ensure our actions are making a real difference.

Read our Sustainability Plan in the following formats:

View PDF

View Word Doc

The curatorial policy is a set of guidelines that underpins the artistic vision of the Festival.

Sydney Festival is dedicated to showcasing works of excellence across a range of artistic disciplines while prioritising diversity, inclusion and equal access. Through carefully curated programming that aligns to the artistic vision and strategy of the Festival, we aim to create a platform that celebrates the richness of human experiences and perspectives, fostering a sense of community and understanding among artists, audiences and the wider community.

Core Principles:

1. Artistic Excellence: Our primary focus is presenting high-quality artistic works that challenge, inspire and captivate our audiences. We uphold rigorous standards of artistic excellence in all our programming.
   
   
2. Diversity and Inclusion: We believe in the power of diverse voices and perspectives to enrich the arts and society. With First Nations people first our programming actively seeks out artists and works representing a wide range of backgrounds, cultures, ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, abilities and viewpoints.
   
   
3. Equal Access: We are committed to removing barriers that prevent equitable access to the arts. Our Festival strives to be physically accessible, financially attainable and culturally sensitive,  ensuring that all members of our community can participate and engage with the programming.
   
   
4. Public Funding: We uphold the entitlement of all artists and entities to avail themselves of public funding, facilitating the inception and presentation of their creations. We also honour their choice to use public funds devoid of any political endorsement, intervention or sway.
   
   
5. Collaboration: We recognise the value of collaboration in fostering innovation and creativity. We will actively seek partnerships with local, national and international organisations, artists, and communities to create a dynamic and interconnected Festival experience.
   
   
6. Education and Engagement: In addition to presenting performances, we are dedicated to offering educational opportunities and engagement initiatives. Workshops, panels and discussions provide audiences with deeper insights into the creative process and the broader cultural context of the works presented.

Curatorial Guidelines:

1. Artistic Diversity: Our programming encompasses a wide spectrum of artistic disciplines, including but not limited to theatre, opera, dance, music, visual arts, spoken word and interdisciplinary performances. We strive for a balanced representation of genres and styles.
   
   
2. Representation: We actively seek out underrepresented artists and voices, giving priority to works that amplify narratives and perspectives often marginalised in mainstream spaces.
   
   
3. Curation Process: The curatorial team employs an open and transparent selection process that considers artistic merit, relevance to the Festival’s artistic vision, and alignment with our mission. The team includes individuals from diverse backgrounds to ensure a variety of perspectives.
   
   
4. Accessibility: All Festival venues and precincts are selected with accessibility in mind, including considerations for physical accessibility, sensory accommodations and affordability. We provide captioning, sign language interpretation and other aids to ensure inclusivity.
   
   
5. Community Engagement: We actively involve the broader community in the Festival through partnerships with local organisations and community groups. Outreach programs, workshops  and free events extend the Festival’s impact beyond the performances.
   
   
6. Feedback and Improvement: We are committed to continuous improvement. We gather feedback from artists, audiences and stakeholders to assess our programming’s impact and identify future enhancements.

Conclusion: Our curatorial policy reflects our dedication to excellence, diversity and equal access in the performing arts. By adhering to these principles and guidelines, we aim to create a Festival that showcases outstanding artistic achievements while nurturing a culture of inclusivity and understanding that celebrates the human experience.

Sydney Festival Revenue Guidelines and Principles

In the pursuit of its ambitious annual program, Sydney Festival relies not only on operational revenue generated from ticket sales, catering and merchandising but also on the support of diverse funding sources. These vital sources include public funding, corporate sponsorship and philanthropic fundraising. These essential activities are guided by three overarching policies:

1. Public Funding Policy

2. Corporate Sponsorship Policy

3. Philanthropic Fundraising Policy

These policies collectively ensure that Sydney Festival's public funding, sponsorship and fundraising endeavours are in harmony with its core mission, values and ethical principles. They also prioritise transparency, accountability and the positive impact on the community.

In summary, the key principles of these policies include:

Public Funding Policy

Introduction: This policy outlines ethical principles for seeking and using public funding aligned with Sydney Festival's mission.

Principles and Objectives: Ethical practices and impact are key, with a commitment to transparency and accountability.

Guidelines for Seeking Public Funding: Public funding aligns with mission, values and guidelines. Limited to Australian governments and affiliated agencies.

Responsible Utilisation of Public Funds: Public funds used as agreed. Financial management is transparent and compliant.

Transparency and Accountability: Open communication with funders, stakeholders and the public. Regular reporting on fund utilisation.

Public Funding Recognition: Recognition is proportionate, separate from corporate sponsorships. Editorial control retained.

Avoiding Conflicts of Interest: Transparently manage conflicts of interest related to public funds.

Ethical Conduct: Adherence to ethical conduct in seeking and utilising public funds.

Accountability for Outcomes: Regular evaluation and improvement to ensure positive outcomes.

Corporate Sponsorship 

Introduction: This policy establishes principles and ethical standards for sponsorship activities by Sydney Festival to align with its mission and create positive outcomes.

Principles and Objectives: Sponsorships should enhance activities, align with values and uphold integrity. Positive revenue streams and reputation are essential.

Guidelines for Partnership, Sponsorship and Fundraising: Thorough reviews ensure alignment with principles. Opportunities should align with missions, values and strategies.

Review Process: Potential partners undergo transparent review based on ethical guidelines and alignment with values.

Review Criteria, Screens and Restrictions: Organisational alignment, qualitative criteria and exclusionary screens are used for evaluation. Recent performance and positive change are considered.

Criteria for Declining Sponsorships: Activities that contradict principles or misalign with values won't be pursued.

Agreement Process: Written agreements define roles, benefits, obligations and confidentiality.

Sponsor Recognition, Editorial Control, Exclusivity: Recognition and acknowledgment are proportional. Editorial control is retained. Exclusivity terms are based on support level.

Fundraising and Ethical Standards: Ethical fundraising practices are upheld, transparent, truthful and respectful.

Ethical Fundraising Procedures: Board oversees policies, approvals and financial risk assessment. Complaints are investigated transparently.

Philanthropic Fundraising Policy

Introduction: Ethical fundraising practices for the Board, staff and volunteers. Ensures ethical and responsible solicitation and management of funds.

Purpose: Outlines ethical fundraising practices and guidelines for solicitation and management of funds.

Policy: Upholds ethical practices, adherence to laws, diversity, truthfulness and respect for beneficiaries.

Responsibilities: Board oversees and reviews policy implementation.

Processes: Fundraising Sub-Committee ensures oversight. Approvals documented. Financial risks assessed. Complaints investigated.

At Sydney Festival our community expect our social media channels to be places that are safe and respectful. To maintain healthy interaction, the following house rules apply with all comments and users subject to moderation.

Be Respectful 

Diverse perspectives are part of robust discussions, and you may encounter differences of opinion. We ask that you respect other people’s views and beliefs and consider your impact on others.

We distinguish between constructive comments and content that is abusive, offensive, misleading or unlawful. Derogatory language, profanity and persistent trolling will be subject to moderation. 

Be Responsible 

Deliberate misinformation and expression of views that are hate speech or incite violence are not permitted on our social media platforms and will be reported and deleted, in line with platform guidelines.

Posts containing ticket reselling, third-party links, follow requests, unauthorised advertising or otherwise spam-like content will be removed.

Be Mindful 

Be careful about what you share. Material that has the potential to be defamatory, infringe on copyright or breach personal privacy will be removed at the moderator's discretion. If we ask for any contact details (for example around your tickets) please provide this via direct message.

Moderation 

We reserve the right to remove posts or comments breach our community guidelines. Participants who seriously, persistently or wilfully ignore the community guidelines will be subject to blocking or removal from Sydney Festival community channels.

Our platforms are moderated by Sydney Festival. Recognising our collective duty to foster a safe and inviting environment, we urge everyone to embrace this responsibility and ask individuals to collaborate with us in building an atmosphere of safety and inclusivity, characterised by mutual respect and tolerance.

The Sydney Festival Limited (ACN 070 285 344) is bound by the National Privacy Principles under the Privacy Act 1988. Sydney Festival holds personal information for the purposes of sending information about Sydney Festival events and other arts events.

You can download a copy of our Privacy Policy here.

You can read the Live Performance Australia Ticketing Code of Practice here.

We are aware that cybercriminals are impersonating Sydney Festival and sending emails with suspicious links; they may also be requesting payment via email to their own bank account or to gain access to your systems by requesting passwords and other credentials. This is a common scam.

Please note we will never send you an email requesting that you enter passwords and credentials or advising that our bank details have changed. You should always verify any bank account details you receive in an email from us by speaking to us before transferring money.

Contact us using the phone details on our website (not via email or any phone number on the request itself). For more information about cyber security visit the Australian Centre of Cybersecurity website at https://www.cyber.gov.au/.

If you'd like to unsubscribe from Sydney Festival's e-mails, online advertising, or physical mail lists, feel free to e-mail us any time at mail[at]sydneyfestival.org.au specifying what communication you would like to stop receiving.