Mardi Gras gets increased cash support from City

Sydney Mardi Gras will receive extra funding to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the parade in 2013, with the City of Sydney announcing an increase in cash sponsorship for the annual festival celebrating the LGBTIQ community.

The continuing support comes as the City also committed to providing funds for the Sydney Writer’s Festival, the Yabun Festival and official Australia Day celebrations.

The new sponsorship deal agreed to unanimously by Council will see Sydney Mardi Gras receive $400,000 in total to produce the event in 2013 and 2014. Festival organisers Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras had originally requested support of $255,000 for the 2013 festival program and $230,000 for the following year.

Under the previous sponsorship deal, the City had provided $150,000 cash towards each annual event. 

In 2013, $25,000 of the newly announced funds will be allocated towards an artistic program to celebrate Mardi Gras’ 35th anniversary, including the creation of a brand new, one-off float.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore said the funding for the four events totalled nearly $3.5 million.

“From national celebrations like Australia Day and Yabun Festival, to international highlights like Mardi Gras and the Sydney Writers’ Festival, these events enrich our city’s cultural life immeasurably and demonstrate that Sydney is one of the world’s great event capitals.

“They also shine the international spotlight on our city, boosting tourism and bringing significant benefits to the local economy, helping to secure hundreds of jobs across different industries and locations,” she said.

“This funding boost will allow our major festival organisers to expand their events and introduce new programs and activities for Sydneysiders and visitors to enjoy. We look forward to helping them deliver their biggest and best events yet.”

On average, 300,000 people attend the Sydney Mardi Gras parade that snakes along Oxford Street, with the month long festival of events helping draw up to 25,000 visitors to Sydney from interstate or overseas. Figures from Destination NSW indicate Sydney Mardi Gras provides an economic contribution of over $30 million to the local economy.