THE HISTORY OF ARTFEST
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Celebrating 29 years of community art festivals!
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The Escape ARTfest began its history in 1995 with the Tabula Rasa Contemporary Arts Festival, organised under the umbrella of the local business chamber. Originally the event was staged during the winter months with the aim of showcasing local artists of all genres.
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In 2005 the festival was named Escape ARTfest - a new name, a fresh new logo and a change of season meant that the festival followed in the footsteps of its predecessor, with renewed focus and energy.
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Over the next few years several key festival components were established as festival attendees favourites - a comprehensive youth program which included exhibitions, workshops, prizes and other opportunities - a partnership with the Milton Ulladulla Music Council - and the introduction of a major sculpture event.
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Each year Escape ARTfest goes from strength to strength, and is now a major event on the state’s tourist calendar attracting audiences from far and wide.
​Whilst it remains a delightfully popular event amongst the local community due to its ‘grass roots’ focus - it also provides a wonderful platform for emerging artists to gain public exposure and opportunities for the community to witness and experience the plethora of arts right here on our doorstep.
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​After a successful festival in 2019 the event was not able to proceed in 2020 and 2021 due to the Covid 19 pandemic.
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2022 saw the return of the festival as a biennial event.
The 2024 festival is planned for October with another exciting and inclusive celebration of the arts in the Milton/Ulladulla community.