Coldsnap Future In Question Following Council Decision on Funding
By 250 News
Monday, March 29, 2010 09:22 PM
Prince George, B.C. – The Prince George Folkfest Society has been granted it’s request for a cash and in kind donation from the City, but the request has been scaled back and organizers aren't certain it will be enough to keep the Festival alive.
The cash donation will be $1500 and the"In Kind" donation would be the use of the P.G.Playhouse with technical support for two consecutive days and nights that would amount to about $1500 dollars. In total, the City's donation would be about $3 thousand dollars worth.
The Society had requested $10 thousand dollars saying that kind of donation would allow the Society to leverage other funding for the next ColdSnap winter music festival.
The Festival spent $151 thousand on the 2010 version of the event. Organizer Jo Beattie says recent studies suggest every dollar in a budgeted event will turn into $4 dollars spent in the community.
Funding has become a major challenge for the Society as its 2010 grant application to the Cultural Grant Committee was turned down, recent meetings with Initiatives Prince George, Northern Tourism BC and Tourism Prince George also failed to produce any grants because of tight financial times.
The City's Cultural Grant budget was just over $193 thousand dollars this year, and it had requests for just under $350 thousand dollars.
Last year, the City donated $5 thousand dollars to the festival.
Councillor Dave Wilbur says while he reconizes the recognition the Festival has gained, he cannot in good conscience support a motion for $10 thousand dollars, "I will do all I can to support you, but not to the extent that you wish."
That sentiment was echoed by Councillor Murry Krause who noted there are so many groups in need this year "I am leaning towards in kind for the Playhouse for 2 nights."
Councilor Cameron Stolz said he likes the kind of benefits Cold Snap brings to the City in the way of tourism and national recognition, however, even "in kind" means the City has to absorb the costs of the technical support and the lost revenue from that venue.
The group says without support from the City it cannot receive provincial or federal support for the annual festival.
Jo Beattie told Council that without the $10 thousand dollars the future of the festival is doubtful,"If we go away with 'in kind' it's up in the air."
Following Council's decision, Jo Beattie couldn't say what will happen with the Festival. Although mindful of the pressures Council will be under to help fund other arts groups she can't say if the commitment given by City Council will be enough to keep ColldSnap alive "As for the actual result of tonight, that remains to be seen. So I'll be meting with our Board, and we'll see."
Previous Story - Next Story
Email
Print
Facebook
Twitter
Digg
Del.icio.usReturn to Home
Posted by: the-grouse on March 30 2010 8:58 AM
They can't be serious, can they?
Next year we'll fund the non-communicating guy instead of how many community groups?