Celebrating the Ballarat International Foto Biennale – Ministerial Response
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Original adjournment matter from Juliana Addison MP to Parliament –
I direct my adjournment matter to the Minister for Creative Industries, and the action I seek is for him to visit my electorate of Wendouree to meet with the Ballarat International Foto Biennale CEO Vanessa Gerrans and board members to discuss the upcoming 2023 biennale which will be held from 26 August to 22 October this year.
In 2023 we will be celebrating the 10th Ballarat International Foto Biennale. It was first held in 2005 in regional Victoria and has evolved into Australia’s leading and most engaging photography festival. Once again the Ballarat International Foto Biennale will be a huge drawcard for visitors to our city.
Previously the Ballarat International Foto Biennale’s blockbuster exhibitions at the Ballarat art gallery have included David LaChapelle, Liu Bolin and Linda McCartney and attracted more than 80,000 visitors. I am confident that the 2023 BIFB program will not disappoint, with visitors being invited to come and see the real thing. Visitors will engage with portraiture, landscapes, live streaming and more through the lens of international and local artists as they visit local galleries, explore laneways and access historic buildings and local businesses.
The Ballarat International Foto Biennale offers another excellent reason for visitors from Melbourne and regional Victoria to visit Ballarat, as well as for national and international visitors to put Ballarat on their must-visit list.
Significantly the Ballarat International Foto Biennale contributes millions of dollars of direct economic impact to Ballarat over the two months from August to October each other year, and I am sure this year’s biennale will be even more popular than ever. It is great to see so many local businesses supporting the biennale’s open program, including Studio g.a.s., the Grand hotel, Sushi Noodle, Rocket and Belle, Kilderkin Distillery, the Royal Mail pub, Saigon Allee, Roy Hammond and L’espresso. These venues and many others will provide a place for emerging and established photographers to exhibit their work during the biennale.
Key institutions, including Sovereign Hill and Ballarat Trades Hall will also be BIFB venues. I am really looking forward to welcoming the Minister for Creative Industries to Ballarat to learn more about the 2023 Ballarat International Foto Biennale.
Response from the Hon. Steve Dimopoulos MP, Minister for Creative Industries (12 July 2023) –
I met with Alicia Linley, Chair, Ballarat International Foto Biennale on 14 April 2023 to visit the site for the National Centre for Photography and discuss the wonderful work of the organisation.
Thank you for your continued interest in and support of Ballarat International Foto Biennale, and its plans for the National Centre for Photography. I look forward to seeing the continued success of the event and organisation.