BUILDING A FESTIVAL: THE CREATIVE FORCE BEHIND THIS YEAR’S PROGRAM

We spoke to LISA HENDERSON – JOONDALUP FESTIVAL’S PROGRAMMER – ABOUT THIS YEAR’S AMBITIOUS offering

When Joondalup Festival comes to life each March – across parks, lakes, beaches and unexpected corners of the city – there’s a particular feeling that tends to linger. A sense of wonder. A touch of surprise. Moments that stay with you long after the lights fade.

For festival programmer Lisa Henderson, that feeling is no accident.

“I think I could probably talk about this for an hour if I was to speak to the whole program,” Lisa says. “But from a curatorial lens, what came up quite quickly was that mood of surrealism and the dreamlike, which would evoke that sense of wonder and awe.”

That feeling of wonder, she explains, is only part of the picture.

“What I’d hope to design as an experience all the time is something that leaves a longer-lasting impact,” Lisa says. “Something that’s quite memorable. Whether people look back with a feeling of joy or inspiration, or if it came from a sense of surprise.”

When a program begins to take shape

When asked what connected the artists chosen for this year’s festival, Lisa says the process unfolded naturally.

“I think this year it kind of happened quite organically, to be honest,” she says. “In the planning process, you look at all the pieces and all the possibilities, and then at some point some things just kind of lift out and it begins to sing.”

While there are always practical considerations involved, the audience remains central to every decision.

“There’s a lot of factors – different locations and venues, and budget is a big factor as well,” Lisa says. “But first and foremost it’s about the audience and making sure each demographic is feeling seen and included in the program.”

Transforming public space

One of the defining features of Joondalup Festival is how it transforms familiar public spaces – and that’s something Lisa finds especially intriguing.

“What excites me the most about seeing it come to life is seeing the spaces and the public spaces being transformed,” she says. “And the fact that we’re making space for art where it might not always exist.”

That transformation, she says, allows people to see their surroundings differently: “People are able to see their environment in a different way.”

When it comes to matching artworks with specific locations – from lakes and parks to the coastline – part of the process is instinctive.

“A lot of it comes from a gut feeling – what feels right in a certain space,” Lisa explains.

At the same time, there’s a strategic layer behind those decisions.

“It’s looking at the places and how they’re already being used, what audiences are already there, and whether we’re trying to serve them or bring new people into that space.”

It’s about the journey

As opening night approaches, Lisa says she isn’t focused on a single standout moment. “It’s not particularly one moment that I would like to highlight – it’s more about the individual journey,” she says.

What excites her most is when people engage with the festival multiple times, in different ways.

“They might go for an early morning walk with their dog around the Crystal People, then later in the afternoon go for a coffee in the CBD and catch the art exhibition, and then on the weekend take their kids to Acqua Forte Parade,” she says. “Yeah, I think it’s that journey.”

Spectacle and storytelling

Balancing large-scale public spectacles with deeper storytelling is a key part of the festival’s approach.

“The big free activities bring masses together, and there’s something really special about sharing an experience like that with people around you,” she explains. “But it’s the storytelling that builds empathy and a sense of belonging.”

For Lisa, artists play a vital role beyond the festival itself.

“Artists are our historians – museums are full of art that teaches us about history – and artists are really important in helping shape our future as well.”

Who the festival is for

When asked what she hopes audiences feel as they move through the festival, Lisa’s answer is clear: “I want people to feel safe, considered, and seen,” she says.

For visitors, she hopes Joondalup feels welcoming. For residents, she hopes the festival builds pride. And for anyone attending Joondalup Festival for the first time, Lisa believes there’s no better moment to jump in.

“There’s no time like the present – it’s happening right now, come and enjoy it,” she says. “What we try to do is remove, or at least reduce, any barriers to participation.”

And If she had to describe the program in a single word?

“I’m going to sound a bit salespersony,” Lisa says, “but I’m going to say unmissable.”

“Netflix is going to be there for you when the festival’s done,” she adds. “But these live moments are fleeting – so don’t miss them.”

A quiet favourite

While she’s careful not to play favourites, there is one work Lisa is particularly excited to see arrive.

“It’s been on my radar for a couple of years now,” she says. “Site-specific work excites me a lot, and to see such a beautiful work come to life in a bowling alley – Guttered has been presented at major festivals around Australia.”

“It’s something you wouldn’t experience every day,” she adds. “How often do you get to see something like that?”

As Joondalup Festival 2026 prepares to open, Lisa is ready to welcome locals and visitors alike, or what marks a truly special time of year.

“I’m really excited to launch this year’s program,” she says. “And I really hope that it reaches everyone in a beautiful way.”