Sculptor Ingrid Morley and partner Brian Sinclair in front of Ms Morley’s work, The Past is Just Behind, which won the 2024 Acquisitive Award Prize. Photo: Supplied.
The annual Batemans Bay art festival Sculpture for Clyde has been cancelled, with organisers citing financial difficulties.
David Maclachlan, one of the organisers of the event, which was set to be held from 31 May to 8 June on the Batemans Bay foreshore said the “unfortunate” decision came after the committee reconsidered its financial situation.
“That decision didn’t come lightly, and it wasn’t an instantaneous decision, that’s for sure,” he said.
The show comprises outdoor, indoor and student sculpture exhibitions and various prize categories.
The winning sculpture in the Acquisitive Prize is also selected to join the Sculpture Walk on the foreshore.
Mr Maclachlan said the cancellation was made after third-party funding fell through following the 2024 event.
“We ran that particular event on the smell of an oily rag,” he said.
“We really didn’t have much money left, so going into this year with the uncertainty [around funding], there was just too much hardship on volunteers.”
He said a dispute surrounding Eurobodalla Shire Council funding the event, which saw discussions spread across three meetings before being approved, had affected their bottom line.
“The optics were that the event doesn’t have support from council,” he said.
“We lost some of our sponsors because they’re major businesses in the shire, and they’re not going to support something that council doesn’t support.”
He said that ahead of the 2025 event the committee looked at seeking funding from Destination NSW and Eurobodalla Shire Council, however the event did not receive Destination NSW’s support, despite receiving it in the past.
“This time around, because we didn’t get our [Destination NSW] money, and because of when just looking at the political situation, we didn’t want to go and put it up to councillors when there’s a new bunch of councillors, and risk losing our sponsors again.”
While the annual art festival won’t go ahead this year, Mr Maclachlan told Region the committee was preparing for a 2026 event and would reapply for grants.
“I think it’s a great event; there’s a lot of volunteers involved and hopefully there’s some support for the event,” he said.
“If there’s no support at all, we probably wouldn’t run the event. I don’t think that’s the case, because I think the event just ticks all the boxes.”
He said Sculpture for Clyde had a distinct spot on the Eurobodalla arts calendar, and also brought in visitors from outside the shire.
“That’s a big deal, especially with regard to tourism, because anything that increases the overnight visitor spend [is] really what the funders are looking for,” he said.
“Nearly all the funders are looking for that – are you increasing overnight visitor spend? Are you bringing people in from the outside area?
“Tourism’s our number one industry in this shire.”
He said Sculpture for Clyde also supported creatives from across the region, including young children through competitions.
In a statement posted to social media, the organisers said applications and sponsorship would be refunded in full.
People can follow Sculpture for Clyde’s Facebook page or the event’s website for updates.
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