Spring is here, and with it, the chance to enjoy outdoor arts festivals. Although subject to the whims of weather, outdoor festivals help arts organizations and business sponsors attract new audiences and develop broader community outreach.
A 2010 report from the National Endowment for the Arts – called Live from Your Neighborhood: A National Study of Outdoor Arts Festivals – shows that outdoor arts festivals attract more diverse audiences than single feature or indoor events. Located in accessible public spaces such as city streets, parks and plazas, the events attract higher attendance by Hispanics, blacks and, overall, a demographic more closely matching the general population of a region.
Families with children enjoy the ability to move around, participate and easily enter or leave events. Educational components usually are offered. The price is also right – most events are free or have low-cost tickets due to business sponsorships.
NEA’s Survey of Public Participation in the Arts in 2008 reported more than 55 million U.S. adults attend at least one arts and crafts festival a year; 47 million attend at least one outdoor performing arts festival; and approximately 14 percent of Americans attend both.
For Springfield, that translated to an overall economic impact of more than $422,000 last year for Artsfest on Historic Walnut Street, using the Americans for the Arts’ Arts and Economic Prosperity Calculator IV. That includes an estimated $21,240 in local tax dollars from sales related to the festival.Just as important as the economic impact, though, are the cultural and generational benefits these festivals create for our community.
NEA studies indicate festival organizers nationwide have noticed a shift in expectations of younger audiences, especially young adults who desire interactivity, performance and creation in informal and open settings.
Responding to this trend, the Springfield Regional Arts Council is collaborating with Lemondrop for Live Art at Artsfest on May 4-5.
A graffiti-style wall will be painted throughout the weekend by up-and-coming artists who work in the creative departments of Pinnacle Sign, Bass Pro Shops, Hot Dog Tree and other local design companies.
Working with Placeworks Arts Outreach, part of Community Foundation of the Ozarks’ Rural Schools Partnership programming, SRAC will offer hands-on print-making using unusual tools such as foam pool noodles and Q-tips.
These features add to the vibrant atmosphere of 140 juried artists who sell paintings, ceramics, glass, jewelry and other unique handmade items in tents, transforming Walnut Street into a three-block outdoor art gallery.
Outdoor arts festivals are usually fundraisers organized by an individual or a small staff who leverage the work of many community volunteers. Managed by the Urban Districts Alliance, Artsfest is SRAC’s largest annual fundraiser, with proceeds helping to fund community arts programs throughout the year.
Festivals such as the Japanese Fall Festival and Greek Festival provide an opportunity to experience diverse cultures that exist in Springfield, but are often hidden.
For the 10th anniversary of Springfield’s relationship with Tlaquepaque, Mexico, Springfield Sister Cities Association will reinvent ArtsFiesta! on May 3 at a new location on Park Central Square. Featuring more than a dozen musicians who perform at Artsfiesta!, the annual visit for musicians, artists and dignitaries started in April this year to include free community workshops and public school performances by Mexican choreographers and musicians. In the past, the musicians arrived only a couple of days before Artsfiesta! to perform in schools.
Springfield has a long track record of creating and supporting outdoor arts festivals. Innovative programming keeps these festivals fresh, popular and a source of community and civic pride.
Pam RuBert is president of the Springfield Regional Arts Council. She can be reached at pam@rubert.com.[[In-content Ad]]
