Wyndham City Council, VIC
LIT—a light experience to build audiences for new arts experiences in the West
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The Initiative
The LIT light experience was first held in 2022 and attracted 28,476 people. In 2023, drawing people from across the Wyndham region, the event tripled its visitor numbers with a record 61,722 over the 10–day event. In March 2024, visitor numbers were set to triple again.
The event aimed to:
- Work with local creatives to showcase their work that aligns to the lighting/projection program
- Establish an annual lighting event with free, high–quality and family–friendly programming for the local community
- Build community pride and civic participation in Werribee City Centre, and
- Support the local business community and grow the appreciation for the role of the creative economy in increasing business patronage and attracting visitors to central Werribee.
The primary form of art showcased at LIT was light in its many forms. It was an exciting celebration of light and its artistic potential and the program provided interactive and passive light installations and local and global artists. LIT combined technology, creativity and illumination to create an immersive experience. The entire park had been transformed into a glowing landscape with brilliant lighting displays and interactive experiences.
The event attracts visitors who may not previously have been exposed to this form of artistic expression, it sparks curiosity, invites contemplation and a sense of wonderment and delight.
Wyndham is located approximately 35 km from Melbourne and covers an area of 542 km², it is one of Australia’s fastest growing municipalities. The community is diverse, with 47% of the population born overseas and a higher proportion of young people compared with Greater Melbourne, with 28.4% of residents under the age of 18.
LIT responds to the growing community needs for inclusive art spaces. It provides access to a free, high-quality event that appeals across cultural diversity and age groups, whilst also supporting local business and building community pride and appreciation for art in public spaces. It provides access to a free, high–quality event that appeals across cultural diversity and age groups, whilst also supporting local business and building community pride and appreciation for art in public spaces. Overwhelming feedback from audience surveys had 87% of visitors rating it 8 or higher as an event, with 45% rating it a 10 out of 10.
About the Category
The ‘Creativity and Culture’ category recognises local government initiatives which:
- create opportunities to showcase the best of communities through arts and culture;
- embrace wellbeing and diversity, and encourage social inclusion through community participation in artistic activities; and/or
- leverage arts and culture to improve community sustainability and increase local economic opportunity.
Successful initiatives in this award category benefit communities by:
- fostering opportunities for the enjoyment of the arts through broad community engagement;
- establishing local arts hubs for community arts, performances and exhibitions; and/or
- supporting arts initiatives that foster inclusion and skill development.
See More
- 2024 Winners and Honourable mentions
- Wyndham City Council, Creativity and Culture award winner.