The Castlemaine State Festival began in 1976 through the vision of founder Berek Segan AM OBE and has now grown to become Australia’s longest running flagship regional arts festival.

The Festival preceded any other Victorian arts festivals and has been unique in its scope and diversity, and in its impact on the social and cultural fabric of central Victoria and environs. The biennial Festival commissions, develops and presents a thrilling program of events encompassing performance, music, literature, visual arts and film and is known as major contributor in connecting people and developing social wealth within the regional community.