| Black Swamp fest seeks support |
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| Written by DAVID DUPONT Sentinel Arts & Entertainment Editor | ||
| Thursday, 14 July 2011 10:47 | ||
Last year two businesses shared the $10,000 cost. This year no one stepped forward, and that's left the committee scrambling to make up that lost revenue. "We've not been able to secure a major donor for this year," said Cole Christensen, who chairs the festival committee's development committee. "We know it's difficult for business to donate that kind of money." The festival, according to festival board president Kelli Kling, cost about $150,000 to stage every year. About a third of that comes in through donations, many smaller donations from the Friends of the Festival.. She and Christensen said they would like to broaden that base of community support. Corporate sponsors, Kling said, want to see that they're getting something out of their donation. That means exposure for their products and services. But the festival has maintained a strictly arts focused approach. It doesn't sell naming rights for the festival. It doesn't allow for booths showcasing corporate products. The festival committee may need to consider how to balance that need for corporate exposure with its focus on the arts, Kling said. The base of community support, Kling said, is one of the festival's strengths. Other events that relied on corporate money took major hits when that money dried up during the recession. The Black Swamp Arts Festival has continued despite some financial hardships, and the committee wants to continue being a community event - self-funded and run by volunteers. "We don't want to be a corporate festival," she said. At this point the lack of a major sponsor is leaving the festival shy of the amount of funding committee members like to have, said Floyd Craft, who is in charge of budgeting. The committee likes to maintain "a kitty" with enough money to insure that the festival survives a year when weather wipes out all activities. "The main thing is we don't want to dip into that kitty," he said. As the owner of several local businesses, he understands the pressures on local businesses. He has a stack of requests for donations on his own desk. The Friends of the Festival campaign sends out about 500 appeals annually. Christensen said the committee feels it needs to reach out to more people. The festival, which will be held Sept. 9 through 11 this year, attracts about 60,000 people. Even small donations from more of those folks would help the festival books. Though the festival is free, festival attendees do help fund it by buying beer and pop, and festival merchandise such a T-shirts. Concession revenues help fund about one-third of the festival. Approximately another third comes from artist's fees and booth rentals. Donations make up the rest. The cost of hiring bands is the biggest expense, about half the budget, according to Craft. Christensen, who also serves on the performing arts committee, said bands, many with national followings, help attract the crowds to the event. The festival offers music lovers a chance to hear for free groups they see on TV shows such as "Austin City Limits" or see at other festivals that charge admission. Other expenses are less obvious. Everything needed to stage the festival from the sound system, chairs, tables and security fencing costs money, Kling said. "Porta-Potties - those are expensive." Those wishing to donate can go to the festival's website: www.blackswamparts.org/BSAFSupport.htm. |
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