Adelaide Festival is an international arts festival held every two years in Adelaide, Australia. It attracts well-known performers from overseas, encourages local talent, and stimulates creative and performing arts in Australia. The festival is organized and presented by a small permanent staff, who work with an honorary board of governors. Voluntary advisory committees also help. State and federal governments provide subsidies. The Adelaide City Council, local businesses, and private citizens also donate funds. In 1958, a group of Adelaide citizens conceived the idea of a festival. The first festival was held in March 1960.