More Moolah For Festivals

Policy would subsidize several expenses
Published February 4, 2010  by Trevor Scott Howell in News

Festivals and events will likely receive millions of city dollars for programming, services and marketing. Approved by committee on February 3, the money will subsidize several costs, including park permits, road closures and policing.

The city has allocated one-time funding of $2.5 million towards supporting festivals and events during the next two years. The goal is to increase the quality and number of events and to set guidelines for organizers. The policy was developed with festival and event stakeholders and almost 300 individuals — volunteers, sponsors, tourism representatives as well as festival and event producers.

The amount of money received by festivals weighs heavily on merit and technical reviews, such as: positive community impact, social, cultural and economic benfits. Events that do not meet the criteria will have to pay for all city services and support.

Council is set to vote on the festival and event policy, Monday, February 8.

 


Comments: 1

birdheat. wrote:

I really, really hope the City will consider including support for arts organizations which include events & outreach in their mandates but aren't specifically a Festival. Non-profit operating grantors like outreach activities, but don't provide specific dollars for them. So there are a lot of groups busy creating amazing events on a shoestring, but without support, those who aren't already aware of the groups don't find out about the events and its a bit of preaching to the choir. For an example close to my heart, filling Station Magazine could do amazing things with dollars from the City to bring its Blow-Out Alternative Literary Festival into the light! Last year we had 7 events including 2 Exploding Concerts (Clinton St. John & Laura Leif, and The Beija Flor), a small press fair & arts market, an art show & sale, and 3 readings. It was sooo good, but if we could just get the word out... and we're not the only ones having the same issue, over and over. Providing funding to boost those festivals already in place being put on by local groups that aren't specifically festivals (theatre groups, magazines, literary readings, etc) could make Calgary the biggest festival city in Canada!!

on Feb 5th, 2010 at 6:49pm Report Abuse


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