Sydney Eisteddfod Goes Virtual to Give Young Artists The Chance to Perform During the Pandemic

For the first time in its 86-year history, Sydney Eisteddfod has announced that its Crowd Favourite Performances competition will premier online to give young Australians and international performers an opportunity to showcase their performing art talents during the COVID-19 crisis.

COVID-19 continues to have an unprecedented impact on the performing arts sector – and has forced Sydney Eisteddfod to shut its doors and cancel all 300 events, which reach 35,000 participants and a crowd of 170,000 spectators annually.

In a move to continue the show and give all young dancers, singers, and musicians an avenue to perform, Sydney Eisteddfod is launching its first ever online competition. The inaugural online Crowd Favourite Performances competition is now open to applicants across the globe and is free to enter and vote.

Participants between the ages of 10-35 are encouraged to submit their entry and be in for the chance to win over $6,000 in prizes.

Piroozi Desai-Keane OAM, Chief Executive of Sydney Eisteddfod, said: “The closure of competitions due to COVID-19 has been challenging for young emerging artists who are developing and honing their talents. With many young people’s daily activities continuing to be impacted by restrictions, providing an avenue to perform, express themselves and compete amongst their peers is critical.

“We decided – with the road ahead still uncertain, the show must go on! Sydney Eisteddfod has always been open to all Australians, but traditionally the events have been held in NSW. With the move online, we are hoping that under-35’s from across Australia, and around the world, can submit entries and get involved. Particularly in states such as VIC where tighter restrictions are still in place, we feel this will be a really positive outlet for many young people – and help them to feel like part of the broader performing arts community.”

Both individual performance submissions and duo and group entries are welcomed if COVID-19 restrictions are complied with at the time of recording. Applications close on September 21 2020 and winners will be announced on October 27 2020.

For more information on the competition and to submit your entry, visit: https://crowdfavourites.sydneyeisteddfod.com.au/crowdfavourites/

About Sydney Eisteddfod

Sydney Eisteddfod is an independent, community-based, not-for-profit organisation limited by guarantee. It is also a registered charity in New South Wales and is listed on the Federal Register of Cultural Organisations eligible to receive tax-deductible donations.

For over eight decades Sydney Eisteddfod has been contributing to the evolving culture of the Australian nation by nurturing the performing arts at a grassroots level. Sydney Eisteddfod’s activities revolve around the presentation of the annual Sydney Eisteddfod, a competitive performing arts festival that runs from May to September and attracts around 35,000 entrants with a program of just under 350 classical and contemporary events. During this period, it provides performance opportunities for singers, dancers, actors, musicians, composers, bands, choirs and orchestras in seventeen venues across the Sydney area.