Media release – Tasmanian Craft Fair, 8 November 2024

Tasmanian Craft Fair Exceeds Attendance Targets and Celebrates New Milestones

The Tasmanian Craft Fair, Australia’s most iconic celebration of arts and crafts, is celebrating another highly successful event, exceeding its attendance target of 18,000 visitors.

This year’s fair drew a record-breaking crowd, surpassing pre-COVID 2019 attendance figures.  With around 1,500 attendees traveling from interstate, the fair continues to cement its status as a must-attend event for craft enthusiasts from across the nation.

Key highlights:

  • Attendance target of 18,000 reached, with final numbers pending.
  • Over 1,500 interstate visitors, highlighting the growing national appeal of the event.
  • A significant increase in family attendance, with many children and young people participating in craft demonstrations and workshops.
  • $10,000 Premier’s Arts Prize awarded to Gene McLaren of McLaren Bespoke for his stunning Stag Bust sculpture. Gene has been an exhibitor at the Tasmanian Craft Fair for 8 years.
  • The first year of our five-year strategic plan, with exciting developments to be unveiled over the next 12 months.

Tasmanian Craft Fair Director, Michael Plunkett, said:

“We are thrilled to confirm that we have met our 18,000 attendance target, and we will announce the final numbers soon. While attendance figures are always exciting, it’s the stories behind the numbers that truly inspire us.

“One of the most memorable moments this year was meeting a 96-year-old man who had visited the Fair for years with his wife, who passed away from complications related to COVID. His daughters brought him to the Fair one last time, and he had a meaningful conversation with Simon from Kilburn Ink, a long-time exhibitor who gifted him a handmade Tasmanian timber pen. It was an emotional and beautiful reminder of the fair’s power to connect people through craftsmanship.

“This year, we also saw a marked increase in family attendance, with many children and young people taking part in craft demonstrations. This aligns with our mission to pass on the skills and traditions of our craft heritage to future generations.

“The Tasmanian Craft Fair is dedicated to being more than just an event—it’s a platform to celebrate and sustain Tasmanian arts and crafts, creating opportunities for artisans, fostering a greater appreciation for traditional skills, and inspiring the next generation of creators.

“This year marks the first of the fair’s five-year strategic plan, with more exciting announcements and new initiatives set to roll out in the year ahead as the event strives toward its ambitious goal of attracting 30,000 visitors by 2030.

“The support we’ve received this year—from our attendees, exhibitors, and sponsors—has been overwhelming.  Looking forward, we are focused on continuing to build upon this success to ensure the Tasmanian Craft Fair is recognised as Australia’s most iconic art and craft experience.”