Over 50 independent music festivals have joined forces in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic to form the British Columbia Music Festival Collective.
“The number of festivals in BC has grown substantially in the last 20 years and this crisis has highlighted the value of coming together to share ideas and resources so that we can all continue to strengthen our communities and create a vibrant arts and culture sector in BC,” said Julie Fowler, executive and artistic director for the ArtsWells Festival Of All Things Art in Wells, BC.
The group is composed of small and large music festivals representing every geographical region of BC, including the Salmon Arm Roots and Blues Festival and Ryga Festival in Summerland.
“Ensuring the public is safe and remains healthy is our foremost concern,” said Deb Beaton-Smith of Beat Music Management.
“I am thrilled that a united voice has been created and we look forward to acting as a vehicle for communicating with music industry individuals and organizations, the provincial government, and granting agencies,” added Beaton-Smith.
While each festival will independently communicate its own course of action, the collective stands together with the public in its desire to keep BC’s vibrant festival culture alive.
“We are a collective of festivals that are all unique, and we are collaborating and crafting solutions together, supporting one another and our communities to keep our organizations viable for the future,” said Paul Hinrichs, executive and artistic director of Kaslo Jazz Festival.
“Festivals are multi-year projects. Funds raised primarily through ticket sales, but also partnerships and donations, make up the cash flow required throughout the year to cover administration, rent, securing talent, production needs, venues and lease agreements. For many of us, we are already in the homestretch of a year’s worth of work."
“At this time we invite our supporters to stand with us as we navigate these new realities. As a collective, we commit to being as open and forthcoming as possible regarding our events, and we will continue to invest in the B.C. music ecosystem that we all rely upon.”
"Our thoughts and hearts are with the artists and festival workers that rely on these events as a staple of their livelihood and economic survival throughout the year," said Beaton-Smith.
- By Sarita Patel / Castanet
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