The Ballarat Independent.

'Nanna-technology' is back in fashion and the arts in Ballarat look set to make a resurgence. Put these elements together and you get the wonderful Ballarat Artisan Festival. Find out how the 2011 Festival went over the weekend and check out some colourful pictures of the event here.

Ballarat Songwriter's Night, songwriting brilliance showcased online in a 34min Ballarat music TV show. The first time such an array of local songriters had been placed together on the one bill.

Local Ballarat Artist, Dawn Whitehand, recently returned from South Korea, having been invited to exhibit and demonstrate at an annual ceramics festival.

Coming up next Sunday October 9 is Ballarat's very own contemporary craft market, the Design Exchange. Founder and organiser Lyndelle Flintoft shares her inspiration for getting this market off the ground.

Creswick's Longest Picnic will be taking place at Federation Square on Thursday 6th October, 11am - 2am.

Ballarat International Foto Bienalle (BIFB) 2011 has been a great success thanks to thousands of volunteer hours bringing the festival together. Festival Director Jeff Moorfoot told The Ballarat Independent that the festival was an economic boost for Ballarat, with at least $2 million injected into the local economy.

Jeff Moorfoot, Director of the Ballarat International Foto Biennale (BIFB) 2011, announces the winner of the Fringe Prize. Watch the announcement and an interview with the winner Ewen Bell, a Melbourne based photographer. Ewen's show 'The Elephant Camp' was chosen from a shortlist of 16 BIFB Fringe shows.

Recorded in photos, a fun night including music, performances, art, food and passionate speakers. Kaleidoscope celebrated the 17 different cultures we have living in Ballarat.

Noriko Tadano has been playing shamisen since she was 6 years old. and has performed in Japan and Australia.

Her ability to cross over between traditional and modern Japanese music has seen her perform with renowned blues and jazz musicians as well as traditional Japanese musicians. She joins with composer and multi-instrumentalist Adam Simmons who has worked with extraordinary range of performers from different cultures and traditions.