Vote #1: Surf Coast Arts Trail in line for national honour
Published on 01 April 2025
The much-loved Surf Coast Arts Trail is in line for a prestigious national award, but needs public votes of support to secure the honour.
The annual Trail is one of 24 projects nominated from across Australia in the Arts and Culture category of the National Awards for Local Government.
The peak awards for the local government sector showcase inspiring and diverse grass-roots projects and their ability to bring communities together. Recipients are decided by popular vote.
Image: Bobby Dazzler Photography
About the Arts Trail
Surf Coast Shire Council has staged the Arts Trail on a winter weekend for the past 15 years to celebrate the region’s acclaimed arts and creative excellence, attract visitors, stimulate economic activity and connect community.
It is hailed as a flagship cultural event for the shire and in 2024 attracted 16,000 visitors who admired the work of more than 200 artists at 54 venues across the shire
Participating artists generated $180,000 in sales, including $27,000 in commissions and $8,000 in workshop commitments.
Councillor Libby Stapleton: “National recognition for the Surf Coast Arts Trail through this award would be entirely fitting, given all that the Trail has provided across 15 years in terms of creative, economic, social, wellbeing and community benefits.
“And it would be such a suitable tribute to the many artists and volunteers who all combine to make it the wonderful, warm, welcoming success that it is.
“The Trail is much loved for good reason, within our shire and by visitors from far beyond. We encourage people to demonstrate their support and admiration by going online and voting.
“Vote #1 Surf Coast Arts Trail, and of course share the link with families, friends and networks.”
Voting will close at 11.59pm on 28 April.