Perth International Arts Festival

[[File:Crowd at the Beck's Music Box.jpg|thumb|Crowd at the Perth International Arts Festival Beck's Music Box, 2008.]] The '''Perth International Arts Festival''' is Australia's longest running cultural [[Arts festival|festival]], held annually in [[Western Australia]] between February-March. The program features [[Contemporary music|contemporary]] and [[classical music]], [[dance]], [[theatre]], [[opera]], [[visual arts]], large-scale public works, '''Lotterywest Festival Films''' and the '''Perth Writers Festival'''. The current artistic director is Jonathan Holloway (2012-2015). ==History== [[Image:Performers at Perth Arts Festival SMC.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Street performers, ''Quidams'', waking through the crowd at the Perth International Arts Festival, [[South Perth]] Foreshore, March 2007.]] The festival was created in 1953 by the [[University of Western Australia]], making it the oldest international arts festival in Australia. Activities include theatre, dance, music, film, visual arts and literature, occurring right across the state. Artists from around the world have participated in the Festival including the Israeli born clarinetist [[Chen Halevi]]. ==Funding== The Festival was founded by and has operated from The University of Western Australia Nedlands campus since 1953. The University of Western Australia further supports the Festival through the provision of services and resources. [[Lotterywest]] has supported the Festival financially since 1992. Supporters of the 2011 Festival included: * [[Eventscorp]] * [[City of Perth]] * Beck’s * [[Rio Tinto]] * Wesfarmers Arts * [[Woodside]] * [[The West Australian]] * [[ANZ]] Current sponsors and partners are published on the Festival [http://2011.perthfestival.com.au/support-us/current-partners/ website].
[[Image:Perth_International_Arts_Festival_SMC_2010.JPG|thumb|right|250px|La Fura Dels Baus display at the 2010 opening night.]] ==Artistic Directors== * Jonathan Holloway (2012 - 2015) * Shelagh Magadza (2008 - 2011) * Lindy Hume (2004 - 2007) * Sean Doran (2000 - 2003) * David Blenkinsop (1975 -1999) * John Birman (1955 - 1974) ==External links== *[http://www.perthfestival.com.au Official site] {{coord missing|Western Australia}}