By Gillian Brunette,
HFA director
This past year, 2008, was one of ups and a few downs for the Huntsville Festival of the Arts (HFA).
Following one of the best years in its 16-year history in 2007, which resulted in a healthy $20,000 surplus, this past season offered more in the way of entertainment but netted less in terms of dollars.
“Ticket sales, on paper, were up $11,000, our highest sales ever, but the artists’ fees were also higher,” HFA general manager Rob Saunders told those gathered for the festival’s annual general meeting, held Oct. 18 in the Algonquin Theatre Partners Hall.
“We also had the most sold-out shows, 14 in total. It seemed that we either sold out the 400 seats or we had audiences in the 200 range. The shows we paid high dollars for all sold out. It was the medium-priced acts we lost money on.
“However, we are still in a good financial position. On the year, we lost $13,296 and our challenge is to understand why it happened and to plan to ensure it doesn’t happen again.”
The HFA is a non-profit organization which relies heavily on corporate sponsorships and donations as well as ticket sales. Monies raised go toward operational expenses, but a good part of revenues go back into the community by way of arts education initiatives for Huntsville youth, supporting local community theatre groups, and providing arts scholarships.
“Our fundraising efforts were up a bit but corporate sponsorships were down slightly, as were personal donations,” noted Saunders, adding that a new initiative in 2008, the Partners’ Program, attracted 10 new sponsors, which helped boost coffers.
“The Partners’ Program allows existing supporters and potential sponsors to receive various benefits and recognitions by supporting the festival with an investment of $750, which is less than a full sponsorship,” said Saunders. “Our challenge is to continue to develop our sponsorship base and this program has proven to be a creative way to do that.”
The major fundraiser for the HFA is the annual May Marché held at Deerhurst Resort. The 2008 event was the best ever, said HFA president Kareen Burns.
“It was wildly successful, with a bidding war for tickets and great, great food.”
After expenses, the May Marche netted about $39,000.
While artists’ fees were up, so too were production costs. Eight thousand dollars was spent on additional lighting at the theatre and HFA hosted an art show at the Trinity United Church hall for a week at a cost of $2,000. The festival also commissioned local artist Brenda Wainman Goulet to create the Festival Builders Excellence Awards (FBEA) presented to 10 individuals who have made a significant contribution to the growth and success of the HFA.
“This will not be a yearly event. Awards will only be given out when warranted,” said Burns.
In light of the previous year’s success, more money was spent on educational programs in 2008, one example being the 20 murals painted by Huntsville High School (HHS) students, which now adorn the exterior walls of the high school and at Muskoka Heritage Place. Overall, the festival invested over $15,000 in community youth programs. Moreover, arts scholarships were increased by $2,000 to a total of $4,500.
The HFA not only presented mainstage shows at the theatre, but also offered fringe events throughout its summer festival. These included outdoor concerts at Dwight beach and Port Sydney beach with the Muskoka Concert Band, the Poetry Cafe and workshop, Tunes at Tall Trees and Jazz at Tall Trees, Arts Walk, Arts Splash and an extended Jazz Festival.
“Due, in part, to last-minute changes in programming, the Jazz Festival didn’t fare as well as hoped. We will look at that for 2009 and perhaps have a shorter more condensed (event) and make use of the new outdoor park,” said Saunders.
ON BOARD: The 2008/9 Huntsville Festival of the Arts board of directors stand outside the Algonquin Theatre following their Oct. 18 annual general meeting. From left at back are Jon Snelson, Ron Baker, Helena Renwick, Ross Kirwin, Suzanne Riverin, general manager Rob Saunders, Peter Wood, Jenny Cressman and Bruce Gowan. Front, from left, Tia Pearse, June Salmon, Gillian Brunette and president Kareen Burns. Missing are Carol Gibson, Mike Malone and Sharon Stock-Feren.
In her report, Burns addressed the many education outreach programs that were supported by the festival in the past year: Kaleidoscope at Spruce Glen, the inaugural HHS film festival, which was open to secondary students across Muskoka, the HHS mural project and Song Project, and spoken-word poetry workshops, which were expanded into Bracebridge and Gravenhurst this year.
“The Children’s Canadian Dance Theatre put on four shows for us and filled the theatre each time. They were absolutely fantastic and will be coming back,” Burns said.
One new initiative this year was a marketing questionnaire handed out to patrons and also posted online. The results are currently being tabulated and, it is hoped, will offer the festival board some idea of what patrons would like to see in terms of future programming.
All artists who are booked by the HFA to perform at the Algonquin Theatre are well taken care of backstage. “Their dinners were provided by Three Guys and a Stove and were much appreciated,” said Burns.
A farewell and thanks were extended to Marion Haggart, who for years has organized the Music at Noon series at Trinity United Church. Board member Carol Gibson has offered to take on the responsibility.
Burns also extended thanks to the “dynamic” members of the board, all of whom are returning for the HFA’s 17th season. “I would like us to be the foremost eclectic festival in Canada,” she said.
Bringing the meeting to a close, Saunders thanked the Algonquin Theatre staff for all their hard work throughout the festival season.
For more information about the Huntsville Festival of the Arts and to review upcoming programming, go to www.huntsvillefestival.on.ca, or visit our blog at www.trumpeterhfa.blogspot.com.
