Destination NSW has announced the introduction of new ‘core element’ to the Vivid Sydney 2023 program, Vivid Food, with applications now open for hospitality operators.
The program addition follows the sell-out success of Vivid 2022’s Vivid Dinner, hosted by Merviale with Dan Hong and Mike Eggert, in addition to the record number of crowds that came to see the light festival.
In statement, organisers said that ‘the call is out for food and drink luminaries to kick-start the Vivid Food conversation for 2023, to ensure food and hospitality is a core element to next year’s program.’
‘Vivid Sydney are looking for chefs, producers, distillers, winemakers, restaurateurs, event companies, venues and more to put forward their ideas and concepts for innovative, creative food events that position Sydney as a global food capital and champion NSW produce.’
In 2022, 650,000 attendees of the Vivid light and art festival dined out in the Sydney CBD footprint, illustrating the link between large scale public events, and stimulation of the night-time economy.
The announcement comes after arts and culture leaders, including NSW 24 Economy Commissioner, Michael Rodrigues, had flagged closer collaboration between the arts and hospitality sectors as a key means of restoring crowds to the Sydney CBD.
Vivid Sydney 2023 will have a theme of ‘Light, Music and Ideas’. Organisers believe that this creative direction ‘lends itself beautifully to food events’ will encouraging ‘connection, authenticity, love and nature.’
Expressions of interest for Vivid Food will close at 5pm on Monday September 19, with organisers looking for concepts that ‘celebrate Sydney and NSW food in original and dynamic ways’.
The 2023 Vivid Sydney festival will take place from May 26 to June 17 2023.
Full creative directive, and the expression of interest submission information, can be found here.
Further information on funding models can be found here.