Case Study - Commonwealth Festival Artistic Director Shelagh Magadza

The Commonwealth Festival is an eight day event held from 23 to 30 October alongside CHOGM 2011. Festival preparations are well underway to provide a diverse and colourful program, full of family fun, film, photography, music, art and culture. Commonwealth Festival Artistic Director Shelagh Magadza shares her insight into some of the program highlights.

“The Festival will focus on the community and will explore a myriad of cultures and issues within the Commonwealth – finding out what connects us, as well as what makes us unique,” Ms Magazda said. “The Festival team are busy working to finalise acts and put finishing touches on our diverse, family friendly program.”

One of the main highlights of the Festival will be ‘The People’s Space’ held over four days in the Perth Cultural Centre. The idea behind the Space is to provide a social hub that uses film, photography, children’s activities and music to take people on a vibrant journey through what it means to be part of the Commonwealth.

Ms Magadza said Festival activities would be complemented by stunning exhibitions at the Art Gallery of Western Australia, the Western Australian Museum and other galleries around the city during this period.

“Perth has been growing and transforming over the past few years into a city with an individual and dynamic feel to it,” she said.

“Perth has a strong tradition of cultural festivals and supporting local events and artists. Artists who visit our city have often commented there is a sense of creative freedom in our environment here.

“The physical environment and climate of Perth means that we have some great outdoor venues that provide a stunning backdrop for Festival events around the city.

“I’m hoping the opening event will be a real coming together of the community to welcome visitors to Perth.”

The Commonwealth Festival Perth is funded by the State Government and Lotterywest.