learn about our history
Clunes Booktown & Creative Clunes
NOT-FOR-PROFIT
'For The Love of Books'
Creative Clunes is a not-for-profit incorporated organisation that produces a flagship event, the annual Clunes Booktown Festival, among other projects and artistic programs. It is included in the Australian Register of Cultural Organisations.
The Clunes Booktown Festival is celebrated on Dja Dja Wurrung country in Central Victoria.
We have a board of management meeting monthly.
Clunes Booktown Festival
We respectfully acknowledge that the Clunes Booktown Festival takes place on the lands of the The Dja Dja Wurrung People, traditional custodians of the land on which we celebrate our love of stories.
Creative Clunes Vision
Purpose
Creative Clunes aims to connect, inspire and engage communities through books and story
Vision
Creative Clunes is a vibrant rural hub that supports making, telling and sharing stories in all art forms
Mission
Creative Clunes will develop a focused network through which writers and other arts practitioners are supported, seed ideas and collaborate. Through the exchange of stories, we build regional identity and wellbeing, empowering community to respond to environmental, social, cultural and economic challenges.
We encourage stories to emerge from individuals or from collaborations, across artforms and in diverse media (from podcasting to quilting) and from folk of all ages, genders, abilities and backgrounds.
Values
Collaborative, Equitable, Joyful, Responsive
remember the past
Since 2007
In 2007 the first Booktown (Booktown for a Day) was held attracting over 6,000 visitors. Since then a two day festival, Clunes Booktown Festival has been held annually in May. Over 60 booktraders from around Australia bring stock to the town and set up shop for the weekend. Street entertainment, food and wine, music and writer’s talks add to the festivities.
In April 2012 Clunes gained International Organisation of Booktowns membership, becoming the 15th International Booktown and the only booktown in Australia.