Sydney Festival acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the lands 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.

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.

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

Corporate Tax Partner and Consumer Sector Lead at Deloitte Tax & Legal in Australia

With more than 20 years of experience in the professional services industry, Abs Osseiran has collaborated with leading multinational corporations. His career spans private practice and corporate environments, focusing on advising on both Australian and international corporate tax issues.

Hailing from Sydney, Abs 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.

He has also held positions on the boards of the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras and Sydney World Pride. With strong governance credentials and a dedication to the arts, Abs chairs the Festival’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.

Simon Chan AM

Founder and Director, Art Atrium

Simon is a distinguished architect, gallerist and advocate for cultural diversity in the arts. As the Founder and Director of Art Atrium, he has championed cross-cultural collaboration between Australian, Asian and Aboriginal artists, fostering artistic exchange that reflects Australia’s rich multicultural identity.  

His longstanding commitment to philanthropy and the arts is evident through his leadership roles, including Chair of the Art Gallery of NSW’s VisAsia Committee and Director of the Aboriginal Benefits Foundation, where he has worked to support Indigenous communities through art and culture. He also currently serves as a Member of the Australian Multicultural Council, Board Member of Multicultural NSW Advisory Board and Director of Australian National Maritime Museum Foundation Board, further extending his impact on cultural and community initiatives.  

Beyond the visual arts, Simon’s dedication to social cohesion and multicultural engagement has led to key appointments, including his current role as a Council Member of the Australian Multicultural Council and as President of the Chinese Australian Forum. Recognised for his contributions to arts and culture, Simon was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in 2023, cementing his legacy as a leader in cultural advocacy and community enrichment. 

Kris Nelson was announced as the new Festival Director for 2026 by the Sydney Festival Board of Directors in September 2024.

Following a six-and-a-half year stint as Artistic Director and CEO at the prestigious London International Festival of Theatre (LIFT) and over a decade spent living and working in the UK and Ireland, Kris Nelson has relocated to Sydney and will deliver his first program as Festival Director in January 2026.

As Artistic Director and CEO of LIFT, Nelson was responsible for the biennial festival program of international performance in London. Held every second June and taking place across numerous venues, LIFT has drawn international acclaim for its brave stagings of contemporary, political and experimental theatre. Nelson’s dynamic programs as Artistic Director and CEO with LIFT featured the likes of 24-hour theatrical phenomenon The Second Woman by Sydney’s own Randall and Breckon, named The Guardian’s top theatre pick of 2023, and past Sydney Festival favourite, the indoor beachside opera work, Sun & Sea. He also commissioned premieres of several globally successful British works including I Am From Reykjavik by Sonia Hughes and The Making of Pinocchio by Cade & MacAskill. In 2021, Nelson lead LIFT to launch Concept Touring, an innovative platform designed to explore sustainable forms of international collaboration with little to no travel; it led to Nassim Soleimanpour and Omar Elerian’s LIFT 2024 hit, ECHO (Every Cold-Hearted Oxygen).

Originally from Saskatoon in Canada, Nelson has spent over a decade working internationally in arts and cultural events and is no stranger to making his mark on a new city through his bold curation. While cutting his teeth working as a freelance curator and producer on festivals across Canada including Vancouver’s PuSh International Performing Arts Festival and the roving Magnetic North Theatre Festival, Nelson also championed the works of experimental Canadian theatre and dance companies via his own Montréal-based touring agency, Antonym Productions. Nelson later relocated to Ireland where he served as Festival Director of the Dublin Fringe Festival from 2013 to 2017, Ireland’s largest multi-disciplinary arts festival and one of the few curated fringe events in the world.

The full announcement can be read here.

Previous directors were:

Olivia Ansell: 2022–2025
Wesley Enoch AM: 2017–2021
Lieven Bertels: 2013–2016
Dr Lindy Hume AM: 2010–2012
Fergus Linehan: 2006–2009
Brett Sheehy AO: 2002–2005
Leo Schofield AM: 1998–2001
Anthony Steel AM: 1995–1997
Stephen Hall: 1977–1994

If you have any feedback we'd love to hear from you.

Sydney Festival office details

Level 5, 10 Hickson Road
The Rocks NSW 2000
Australia

Phone: (+61) 2 8248 6500
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

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.

We acknowledge there is continued distress within communities and across the nation caused by the tragic loss and suffering of innocent lives due to ongoing conflicts across the globe. We trust our community to be united in a call for the protection of all innocent lives caught up in conflict whilst acknowledging the 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.

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.

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.

There are currently no roles available at Sydney Festival. But watch this space – we'll be hiring soon. 

Applications for the Sydney Festival 2026 Arts Industry Program will open in a few months.

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.

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

Annual Review 2025
Annual Review 2024
Annual Review 2023

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

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. 

Our 2024 Reconciliation Action Plan is currently under review with Reconciliation Australia and will be available on our website once it has been endorsed. 

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.