It has been a part of growing up in South Australia since the 1970s but after more than 40 years Come Out Children’s Festival is set to be renamed – and the children of SA will get the final say.
The Festival has a long and proud history in this State and in 2015 came under the umbrella of the Adelaide Festival Centre. The event was a huge success with more than 100,000 local children and families interacting with the Festival at its new home at AFC.
Creative producer Susannah Sweeney says while respecting the history of this iconic festival, it’s time for a change. “The name was created by adults in the 70s, so we think it’s time that kids come up with a name for the 21st century that will last for the next 40 years,” she says. “A new name created by kids will be fun and interesting. I’m curious to see what they come up with.”
Arts Minister Jack Snelling agrees that it’s the children of South Australia who will be the driving force behind the renewed and refreshed Festival. “This is a great opportunity to breathe new life into one of Australia’s largest children’s and youth orientated festivals. I’m really looking forward to seeing the creative suggestions that South Australian kids come up with to help rebrand this brilliant biannual event.”
This historic name change will be a three stage process. Schools and children have been invited to submit their ideas to the Department for Education & Child Development (DECD) by the end of term one. The second step comprises a panel from DECD and the Adelaide Festival Centre which will come up with a shortlist – this will then be put out to a public vote online – giving the people of SA a chance to have their say – kids included!
“As a kids’ festival that has been around for so long, and will be for years to come, we think that having kids name it is a great idea,” says Sweeney. “We are already so excited about the event in 2017 and the new name will be the icing on the cake for a fresh start.”
Adelaide Festival Centre CEO and Artistic Director Douglas Gautier says: “The Come Out Children’s Festival has a long and proud history as South Australia’s preeminent festival for young people and their families. Adelaide Festival Centre understands the important role that Come Out plays and recognises that the Festival is close to the hearts of many South Australians.”
“Going forwards, we want to grow and nurture the Festival so that we can provide the benefits of engaging with the arts for as many children as possible. Giving today’s generation of children a chance to rename the Festival is the first step towards reenergising the Festival for the future and ensuring it remains engaging for audiences for another 40 years. I’m very much looking forward to the results of the competition!”
For more information, visit: www.adelaidefestivalcentre.com.au for details.
Image: courtesy of the Adelaide Festival Centre