Kilkenny Arts Festival faces threat of closure

ONE of the country’s most successful arts festivals could be under threat because of financial cutbacks, organisers fear.

Kilkenny’s Arts Festival had its budget cut this year and organisers are afraid that any further tightening of the Government purse strings, as well as the end of a three year sponsorship agreement with the Arts Council, could put the festival in jeopardy.

Festival director Claudia Woolgar said it would be a pity if the festival were to end. She is hopeful that either a major sponsor might now be found or that more funding might be made available from the Arts Council to save the event.