NOOSA alive! awarded Best Festival Small Business

The NOOSA alive! team with Noosa Mayor Clare Stewart.

The world of arts and culture is buzzing after NOOSA alive! was awarded Best Festival Small Business 2022 by the Sunshine Coast Business Awards last Saturday night.

A not-for-profit festival run by volunteers, a paid festival director Ian Mackellar and one administration assistant, the 10 day arts and cultural festival has brought home an award for artists, sponsors, patrons and volunteers to be recognised for their contribution to the community.

NOOSA alive! Festival is a world stage and this award is a tribute to the hard work from our local community to showcase an international arts festival in and around Noosa.

NOOSA alive! president Andrew Stafford said, “We are proud to receive this award, and look forward to presenting the 2023 July 10 day festival program shortly.“

“We have always had a strong arts following on the Sunshine Coast and considering the challenges faced, the community has championed the Festival showing how thirsty local culture is for the arts.

“As a committee we are genuinely excited about the passion and dedication of our local community.

“NOOSA alive! has a vision for the arts and cultural landscape within the local community incorporating the lead up to the Olympics.”

NOOSA alive! 2022 saw more than 20 live performance events with over 6500 guests, showcasing artists who are grateful to be able to perform their craft during a very difficult two years for the industry.

Festival director Ian Mackellar said, “Curating a festival of this calibre is always a financial challenge and without the generosity of our long standing patrons and corporate sponsors this festival would not have reached it’s 20th year without their backing.“

“I am delighted to be the festival director in 2022 and to be recognised for this contribution is an honour.”

Mr Stafford said, “With the ongoing challenges for the arts community we are hoping to secure further sponsors and grant funding to allow us to grow and prosper to provide a much more exciting program in 2023. Where can you go to see live performances on the beach or in our beautiful hinterland, against picturesque Noosa and its stunning winter sunsets?”

Sunshine Coast Business Awards is an annual awards ceremony rewarding outstanding businesses on the Sunshine Coast.

An application process is submitted followed by an eight minute interview.

Finalists are announced and invited to attend the presentation held at Twin Waters Convention Centre. This is the second year NOOSA alive! has entered the awards.

Visit noosaalive.com.au for further information.