Exeter looks at limited funds to keep festivals going

By PRSD, on Friday, March 6, 2009

Exeter City Council has drawn up proposals to keep the city’s festivals going despite the financial pressures, with a reduction in the money it can play around with, it’s changed its approach to the festivals, but it’s nice to see there’s a commitment to try to keep them going.

For the next financial year there’s £151,000 available or the four main events, and to be able to make a contribution to the Respect Festival.

There have already been changes to the council’s approach to Animated Exeter, Vibraphonic and the Summer and Autumn Festivals, but there’s going to have to be more, it says, for them to keep going.

The proposals, which will go before the city council’s Scrutiny Economy Committee on March 12, include looking for a new partnership to run Animated Exeter on the same successful lines as Vibraphonic (which is run by a separate organistation and receives a grant towards its costs from the city council).

The future continuation of Animated Exeter will also depend on successful applications for grants from agencies such as Arts Council England (South West) to add to a potential grant of £20,000 from the city council.

It is proposed to retain the City Council’s contribution of £100,000 to the Summer Festival, while also having a greater direct involvement of the main artistic venues.

The council also wants to look at trying other approaches to delivering festivals in the light of inevitable reductions in sponsorship in the current economic climate.

The Autumn Festival next November may have to operate with a reduced budget of £15,000 instead of £25,000, with the main difference being less funding available for grants to support performances.

• STAY TUNED for a round-up of the best new shows in the city

posted by Cptn

(image from Wonky Films’ Suburban Myth, which were included in an Animated Exeter event)