If you’re planning on launching a local festival or event and need some help getting started, the Fayetteville Advertising and Promotion Commission might be able to provide some funding.
But only if you apply.
Twice a year, the commission reviews all applications for amounts larger than $2,000 and those applicants who are approved, get a check to be used as seed money.
The money comes from revenue generated by the 2 percent Hotel-Motel-Restaurant (HMR) tax.
The deadlines for submitting an application are April 1 and October 1 of each year. In other words, if you’re just now hearing about this and haven’t started your proposal, you’re probably out of luck until this fall. Hey, April 1 is only three days away.
Last November, the largest awards went to Walton Arts Center’s Artosphere Festival ($30,000), AAA All-Star Games ($30,000), Theatre Squared ($20,000) and Bikes, Babes and Bling ($20,000). (see below for a full list)
According to the application instructions, some of the items that must be included are:
- Period of operation or event date
- Expected visitor draw
- Marketing plan, including advertising, public relations, sales budgets, etc.
- Anticipated media exposure
- Full financial disclosure of all revenues and expenses.
For more information or to download an application, visit experiencefayetteville.com.
2010 A&P Commission Awards
(Awards announced November 2009)
| Group/Event | Award |
|---|---|
| AAA All Star Games – June 23-25 | $30,000 |
| Walton Arts Center Artosphere – May | $30,000 |
| Bikes, Babes and Bling – July 1-3 | $20,000 |
| TheatreSquared – Feb-May | $20,000 |
| AAA Coaches Clinic and Golf Tournament – June 23-25 | $17,250 |
| Bikes, Blues & Hot Rods, Too – May 21-22 | $10,000 |
| NCAA Baseball Regionals – June 4-6 / 11-13 | $10,000 |
| NCAA Men’s and Women’s Indoor Track & Field National Championships – March 12-13 | $7,000 |
| Arkansas Air Museum – Year-round | $5,300 |
| U of A Solar Splash – May 26-30 | $5,000 |
| SEC Men’s and Women’s Indoor Track & Field National Championships – Feb 26-28 | $3,500 |
| Joe Martin Stage Race – May 6-9 | $3,200 |
| Baseball and Softball Weekend of Champions – May 21-22 | $2,500 |
| Iron Pig Festival – April 3 | $2,500 |
| FHS Committee for Mardi Gras – Feb. 12-16 | $2,000 |
| National School Boards Association – March 14-16 | $2,000 |
| National School Boards Association – March 14-16 | $2,000 |
| SEC Softball Championships – May 13-15 | $2,000 |
| NWA Coaches Clinic – March 12-11 | $1,600 |
| DECA Marketing Association Prom Fashion Show – Feb. 11 | $1,500 |
| 7 A State Track Meet – April 29 | $1,500 |
| Tri-Sport Kid’s and Family Triathalon – June 19 | $1,500 |
| Arts Live – Sep.-Nov. | $1,000 |
| Soccer Weekend of Champions – May 7-8 | $1,000 |
| Four State Challenge Volleyball Classic – Oct. 1-2 | $1,000 |
| Ozarks Military Museum – Year-round | $1,000 |
| Ozark Valley Triathalon – June 20 | $500 |
Damn! I meant to ask for $30,000 for the Bicycles, Beer,and Bottle Rockets festival I am pretending to plan. Just as well, though. That’s a lot of bottle rockets and beer…
yea i had an idea for Bimbos, Beer, and Blimps but goodyear pulled out funding and the american ballooning association doesnt support drunken ballooning. so much for the mile high club!
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