Formed in 2020 as a bold new offering to replace the Melbourne International Arts Festival and White Night on the city’s cultural calendar, Rising’s first year was cancelled entirely as a result of the pandemic, and in 2021 it only lasted one night before being shut down by the city’s ongoing lockdowns.
Posting deficits of $824,024 and $725,155 in 2022 and 2023 respectively, the festival “continues to be dependent on Creative Victoria and Visit Victoria for the majority of its revenue”, according to its latest financial statement.
“We eventually [hope to] operate on the same level as the Australian Open, Formula 1 and AFL Grand Final.”
Hannah Fox, Rising co-artistic director
Australian rappers ONEFOUR perform at Festival Hall as part of the Rising Festival.Credit: Richard Clifford
In the 2023 financial year, Rising received $19.79 million from government sources – a figure that represented 77 per cent of its total revenue – significantly more than other local cultural events. That figure includes money allocated to two regional arts events: White Night Bendigo and White Night Geelong.
In its last year in 2019, the Melbourne International Arts Festival received $6.59 million in government funding. The Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Melbourne Fringe and the Melbourne International Film Festival each received $1-5 million annually over the past few years. Unlike Rising, each draw the majority of their revenue from box office sales making them less reliant on outside assistance to survive.
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“When making comparisons, it’s crucial to understand Rising’s remit,” Fox says. “From the outset, Rising was conceived as a major new event for the state, with ambitions to eventually operate on the same level as the Australian Open, Formula 1 and AFL Grand Final.”
“Over many decades, these major events have become integral to the fabric and reputation of our state, and while sports and art events are entirely different beasts, after just three years, I believe we are starting to hold our own alongside them.”
The Victorian government shells out significantly more for the Formula 1 Grand Prix, its financial support in 2023 was worth $100m.
Fox points out that more people have attended Rising over the past two weeks than the Grand Prix and AFL Grand Final combined. Rising’s steady growth has come at a time when other major events, including Dark Mofo and Splendour in the Grass, have been cancelled due to financial pressure.
As well as uncertainty over government funding Rising has attracted criticism from some artists and members of the public over its other sources of funding. The Besen Family Foundation was, until this year, a key donor to the festival – high-profile philanthropists Eva and Marc Besen had helped establish the Melbourne International Arts Festival, the precursor to Rising.
Gurr Era Op at Rising Festival. Credit: Prudence Upton
In April, Rising’s website was updated to say that the festival was “no longer in receipt of funding from the Besen Family Foundation”. That decision was taken after some artists pulled out of the festival citing the Besens’ support of Israel.
Fox says the festival does not comment on individual donors or foundations, but did note “the Besen Foundation has been a crucial supporter of the arts for many years and the creative sector is richer for their contribution”.
The state government did not answer specific questions about Rising’s funding, why a new agreement had not been signed, and how it evaluated the festival’s performance.
A spokesperson said: “We’re proud to deliver an incredible creative events calendar for Victorians across the state to enjoy.”