Foto makes call out for helpers

ORGNISERS of next month’s Ballarat International Foto Biennale have put out the call for volunteer helpers.

Set to run from 28 August to 24 October, the once every two-year celebration of photographic art is expected to attract nearly 40,000 people to the city over four weeks.

“The Biennale is bringing art to Ballarat and while our passports sit in the drawer, this year’s event is a great way to bring new experiences into your life and be immersed in the world of photography for a short time,” said festival director Fiona Sweet.

“There are many different ways you can help including volunteering as a gallery attendant or tour guide, hospitality provision, public program support, event installation and more.”

With so many people having moved to Ballarat since the last event in 2019, Ms Sweet said volunteering with the Biennale is a great way to get to know more people in town.

“Many of our ongoing volunteers say that being part of the Biennale helped them to find their people in Ballarat,” she said.

“We warmly welcome anyone who has recently moved to Ballarat to join the team.”

This year’s festival many and varied events including the Australian premiere of Linda McCartney: Retrospective, We will all eventually return to earth – a look at culture, colonisation, ownership and authorship, and Dibalik which presents the perspectives of four female-identifying Indonesians.

There’s also the Martin Kantor Portrait Prize, and The Fineman New Photography Award, while the nationally touring Mass Isolation – which was put together during 2020 COVID lockdowns – is on at the Bridge Mall.

To put your hat in the ring to join the festival’s team of volunteers email [email protected].