Taranta Festival 2025
Applicant: Taranta Arts Inc
Fund: Community Event Sponsorship Fund 2025/26 - Round 1
Funding: $3,000
Taranta Festival 2025 ran from 30 October to 2 November in Bellingen, primarily at Bellingen Memorial Hall and across the Bellingen CBD. The four-day festival featured live music performances, dance, cultural workshops and the Those Before exhibition, which explored themes of ancestry and belonging. Programming drew on Mediterranean, Latin American and other cultural traditions, with both visiting and local artists contributing to a diverse and engaging cultural experience.
The festival attracted approximately 1,150 attendees across the four days, including around 350 attendees at ticketed events and 800 participants in free community activities. Free programming in Maam Gaduying Park was particularly well attended, creating accessible opportunities for community members and visitors to engage with arts and culture. The festival also provided meaningful opportunities for cultural exchange between artists and audiences and supported volunteer involvement across multiple festival sites.
The festival delivered outcomes aligned with Council’s Resilient Economy and Community Wellbeing strategic priorities. Through increased visitation from outside the Shire, the festival supported local businesses, generated employment opportunities for local artists, technicians and event staff, and activated venues and public spaces throughout Bellingen, contributing to a resilient local economy. The festival also strengthened community wellbeing by bringing together people from diverse cultural backgrounds, age groups and interests, creating inclusive opportunities for participation, fostering social connection and celebrating cultural diversity through shared experiences.
"Taranta Arts Inc. is grateful for Bellingen Shire Council’s support through the Community Event Sponsorship Fund. Council’s contribution helped make Taranta Festival 2025 a genuine community event that activated public spaces and brought people together across cultural backgrounds. We look forward to continuing to work with Council to build the festival’s presence in Bellingen." Secretary, Taranta Arts Inc
Photos by Jeremy Thomas