National Folk Festival 2025 Instrument Makers Application Form

Instrument Makers are acknowledged by the National Folk Festival as essential advocates of the past traditions and techniques of Folk Culture, and we are glad to welcome you to the festival. Acceptance of application, site selection, layout and additional facilities available to the Instrument Maker are finalised at the discretion of The National Folk Festival. Please send any queries to artistic.director@folkfestival.org.au

FEES & INCLUSIONS

In 2025 Instrument Makers fees will be $275 for a one person stall or $499 for a two person stall.

All successful applicants will be provided the following:

• 3m x 3m space with a 3m frontage
• 2 x 1.8m blowmould trestle tables
• 2 x chairs
• 2 x partition walls

Instrument Makers will need to supply their own signage, display items, tablecloths, POS etc.

WHO CAN APPLY

Small businesses, craftspeople, and artists that specialise in hand made folk instruments. Commercial instrument manufacturers are encouraged to apply as Vendors at the festival. Click here for further Vendor information.

LOCATION and ENTRY

Exhibition Park in Canberra, Flemington Road, Mitchell. Access to the site is via Wells Station Road (not Flemington Road). Your tickets can be collected at the registration booth at the Wells Station Road entrance.   

This year the Instrument Makers will be located in the Quokka pavilion next to the Festival Shop.

RETAIL DISPLAY HOURS

In completing this application, you undertake to be at your stall from Friday 18th to Monday 21st between 9am and 5pm each day.

WORKSHOPS & PERFORMANCES

In the application there is space to indicate if you would like to be included in the Instrument Maker's showcase concert, and if you would like to run a workshop or class. The festival is all about interaction and sharing of our folk knowledge and we value your participation.

BUMP IN

Instrument Makers will set up on Thursday 17 April between 12 noon and 3pm. You will have a vehicle pass that allows you to park your car in the Access carpark behind the Quokka pavilion during these times. The Instrument Makers Coordinator will be on hand to assist you with setup and stock movement. If you require bump in outside of these times, please contact the Instrument Makers Coordinator to arrange access.


BUMP OUT

Your vehicle pass will allow you to return to the Access Carpark behind the Quokka pavilion between 3pm and 6pm on Monday 21 April to bump out.

TICKETS & ACCOMMODATION

Instrument Makers are required to buy 1 season ticket at $275, and a second ticket for a helper can be purchased for $224, with a combined total of $499. An additional complementary season ticket will be provided to any Instrument Maker who is also accepted as a performer in the Instrument showcase, as a session leader, or as a workshop instructor to ensure that they are properly supported in managing their stall whilst participating in these other activities. All tickets will include access to free on-site (unpowered) camping if required. Please indicate on your application whether you require an (unpowered) campsite. If you require power this will incur an additional charge.

PARKING AND VEHICLE ACCESS

Vehicles may be parked in the Access Carpark behind the Quokka with a vehicle permit on display. All road signage and rules must be obeyed at all times.

THE APPLICATION PROCESS

You will receive an email on completion of this form. Please note that your application does not guarantee acceptance by the Festival. If this acknowledgement of receipt does not appear in your inbox, you may find it in your spam folder. Please adjust your settings to ensure you receive any correspondence regarding your application. Emails will come from artistic.director@folkfestival.org.au or from Helen.Ludellen@gmail.com. Please add the artistic.director@folkfestival.org.au address or the domain folkfestival.org.au to your safe senders list.

Applications will close on 27th October at midnight EST. All applicants will receive an email notification about the status of their application no later than 24th November.

Successful applicants will then receive further information about the Festival and specifics of their stall in the following months.

 
BEFORE YOU APPLY

• Have your social media links ready.
• Have a suitable promotional image ready (file type: jpg, resolution: 300dpi preferred, dimensions: width: 50mm or 590px height: 45mm or 531px).
• Have your bio of 100 words or less (this will be used in the printed festival program, on the website, so please write it to attract patrons to your stall).
• We advise completing this application on a computer for your ease and comfort, although it will still work on a mobile. You can also contact the coordinator if you need help with the application form.