INSTRUMENT MAKERS

In 2026 Instrument Makers fees will be $302.50 ($275 +GST) for a one person stall or $548.90 ($499 +GST) 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

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

Small businesses, craftspeople, and artists that specialise in traditional folk instrument making. Commercial instrument manufacturers are encouraged to apply as Vendors at 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.

Exhibition Park in Canberra, Flemington Road, Mitchell. This year the Instrument Makers will return to the Quokka and will be next door to the Festival Shop. We feel that this will best support the Instrument Makers in the following ways:

• excellent support from volunteers and staff

• large increase in foot traffic from previous years

• warm and clean indoor environment

• excellent security- fully lockable venue that will be open to Festival patrons from 10am-5pm daily

• easy access to amenities (food stalls, toilets and shuttle bus stop are all nearby)

In completing this application you are agreeing to attend at the Festival from Friday 3rd April to Monday 6th April 2026 and to ensure that your stall is available to patron engagement from 9am to 5pm daily. We will require that you set up your stall before 3pm Thursday 2nd April.

In the application there is space to indicate if you would like to be included in a performance showcase or 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 2nd April between 12pm and 3pm. You will have a vehicle pass that allows you to park your car close to the Quokka during these times. The Instrument Makers Coordinator will be on hand to assist you with setup and stock movement. If you have to bump in outside these times please call the Instrument Makers Coordinator to arrange access.

BUMP OUT Your vehicle pass will allow you to return to the parking area near the Quokka between 3pm and 6pm on Monday April 6th to bump out. You can also bump out from 8am - 10am on Tuesday April 7th.

Instrument Makers are required to buy 1 season ticket at $275 + GST ($302.50 total), and a second ticket for a helper can be purchased for $224, with a combined total of $499 + GST ($548.90). 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.

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.

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.

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

• 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.