The trust has been delivering the much-loved arts festival and its sister act, Aspiring Conversations, since 2005.
Now, with the town continuing to grow, it is reaching out for new supporters to join its community of arts patrons.
It is also organising a series of fundraising events and an information evening for potential patrons and sponsors later this year.
Trust board member Mark Verbiest said local supporters were "the backbone of the festival".
"These events bring vibrancy and buzz to Wānaka, offering live performances that add significant economic value and expose our community to diverse, entertaining, and challenging experiences. My wife and I are proud to contribute, especially knowing how enriching the festival is for everyone, particularly young people," he said.
Patron Meg Taylor said she had been supporting the festival since 2005.
“Supporting Wānaka’s arts festival means access to an incredible range of performances and thought-provoking discussions right here at home," she said.
Another patron Sally Angus said she wanted Wānaka to continue having a world-class arts festival.
"It’s one of the main reasons I moved here three years ago."
Artistic director Sophie Kelly said donations would help extend programmes, engage underserved groups, expand community day events, and enhance education for local schools.
Upcoming initiatives include an information gathering in October for those interested in becoming a supporter, and two fundraising events in November.
The trust received $95,000 for the Wānaka Festival of Colour 2025 from the Central Lakes Trust in August, and another $4862 from the Otago Community Trust in July.
Three years ago, Creative New Zealand provided a $103,694 grant to use for the 2025 festival.
For the year ended June 30, 2023, the trust returned a small deficit of $33,913, according to financial records on the Charities register.
It received $1,105,606 in revenue and spent $1,049, 519 from the 2023 Festival of Colour.
- For more info: https://donorbox.org/wanaka-festival-supporters or info@festivalofcolour.co.nz
