The opening ceremony of the event, to be staged in Kings Parade, will feature a diverse collaboration between various community groups and professionals in order to show off Bathurst’s artistic scope.

A key part of the opening ceremony will be the exploration of Indigenous Australian art and culture, and how it is synonymous with Bathurst's cultural landscape.

“It was important for us to make sure that the young Aboriginal artists in our community were being represented and celebrated in this space,” cultural adviser Leanna Carr-Smith said.

“The arts has been a part of our culture and identity for thousands of years, and when the opportunity came up for us to be part of Artstate, we put our hands up straight away.”

The Indigenous component of the opening ceremony will focus on two Wiradyuri dreaming stories that celebrate the diversity of the Bathurst community: ‘Wahluu’, the traditional story of Law that gave Mount Panorama its name, and ‘Dyagula’, the story of the lyrebird.

The Dyagula story was chosen by choreographer/performer Coleen Jerrard, who is taking a leadership role in a dance production for the very first time.

“As a developing artist I was under other people’s directions, but instead of being in a dance company, I wanted to come back and make my own name,” Ms Jerrard said.

“There’s a lot of things that the wider community still don’t know about where they’re living, and the two stories explore the Wiradyuri connection to Bathurst and how certain landmarks, such as ‘Wahluu’ [Mount Panorama], got their name.”

Also essential to the opening ceremony is director/producer Becky Russell and assistant director/deputy stage manager Jessica Corse, both of whom share a deep respect for Indigenous arts.

“I want to give voices to Indigenous artists and produce Indigenous works, so this is a great stepping stone for me to start my career,” Ms Corse said.

“It’s going to be quite a feast for the senses,” Ms Russell added.