Backed by independent research
Social
Impact
One festival, thousands of connections. This is what the stories, numbers and experiences say about the difference Africultures makes, on and off the festival grounds.
The Research
Measuring Our
Impact
In partnership with UTS Business School
We always knew Africultures brought people together. In 2023, we set out to prove it. Researchers from the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), in partnership with our organising committee, surveyed attendees, stallholders and performers at that year's festival.
The goal was simple: understand how the festival shapes cultural exchange and integration, and how it builds the capacity and social capital of the stallholders and performers who bring it to life. What they found tells a clear story, of scale, of connection, and of opportunity.
The findings below come directly from that research, published in Celebrating Diversity, Fostering Unity: The Social Impact of the Africultures Festival.
The Numbers
Three Findings,
One Story
Scale, connection and opportunity, all in one day
Australia's Premier African Festival
Africultures Festival draws over 40,000 attendees to Cathy Freeman Park, Sydney Olympic Park each year. The 2023 festival was brought to life by 33 performers, 81 stallholders and 35 volunteers.
Felt More Positive About Others in Australia
75.4% of attendees said the festival made them feel more positive about other people living in Australia, the highest-scoring measure of social cohesion in the UTS study.
A Launchpad for Business
63% of stallholders and performers strongly agreed that taking part in Africultures changed their decision to grow their business, helping African entrepreneurs overcome barriers like limited networks or funding.
Our Why
More Than
a Day Out
The Africultures Festival is a proven catalyst for connection, belonging and economic opportunity, built one performance, one stall and one conversation at a time.
Areas of Impact
What Changes
Because We Show Up
Four ways the festival makes a lasting difference
Belonging
Attendees leave with a stronger sense of community and a deeper connection to Australia's multicultural fabric.
Culture
Every stall, performance and dish shares African culture with a wider audience, and builds pride within it.
Opportunity
Stallholders and performers gain a genuine platform to promote their work and grow their business.
Capacity
Workshops and training sessions build lasting skills for stallholders and performers, year after year.
The Source
Backed By
Independent Research
Conducted by UTS Business School, 2023
These findings come from Celebrating Diversity, Fostering Unity: The Social Impact of the Africultures Festival, an independent study by the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) Business School, conducted in partnership with our organising committee.
The research surveyed attendees, stallholders and performers at the 2023 festival to understand its effect on cultural exchange, integration, and the capacity and social capital of the people who bring the festival to life.
Be Part of It
Help Us Grow
the Impact
Whether you're coming as a guest, applying for a stall, or just curious to learn more, there's a place for you at Africultures.