Kilkenny Arts Festival faces threat of closure
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.
“We got 300,000 from the Arts Council this year as part of our overall budget of €750,000. That was significantly down on last year’s contribution. The shortfall has to be made up through our box office and sponsorship deals. We need a decision on funding from the council now as it takes us a full year to plan this festival.
“I’ve moved over here from London and am fully committed to the festival. But we need a funding commitment now from the Government. It would be extraordinary if an event which has grown in popularity for the past 30 years was to end. You don’t kill a beast like that,” Ms Woolgar said.
As a result of budget cuts, the organisers were forced to charge €6 per adult entering the Kilkenny Castle on Friday night for the opening fireworks ceremony as well as live music and entertainment. The fee struck a sour note with some supporters, particularly given the strong tradition of free festival entertainment.
But much of the events, including the many exhibitions in the city as well as street entertainment, remain free, Ms Woolgar said.
The city’s castle and the renowned Watergate theatre are hosting a series of events for the rest of the week and weekend workshops for adults and children are proving a huge hit again this year.
It is estimated that more than 70,000 people pass through the city during the ten day festival generating about €4 million annually for the local economy.
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