Organizers request funding for new local events

The Fayetteville Advertising and Promotion Commission’s funding requests are in and about half of the organizations asking for money plan on bringing brand new events to town.

The new events, which include a food festival, a half-marathon, a bicycle race, and All OUT June, a gay pride celebration, have requested about $86,000 in funding.

Returning attractions, such as the 540 Film Festival and Lights of the Ozarks, make up the remainder of the requests. Altogether, the 13 groups seeking funding for the second half of 2010 are asking for just over $260,000.

Sometimes, what is asked for is higher than what is approved when it comes to event funding. For example, the Joe Martin Stage Race, which takes place next month, requested $10,000 for this year’s event, but received only $3,200. The money for special events comes from the unallocated revenue fund which means there’s only so much left to go around.

Unfortunately for organizers, there’s only $31,000 left in undedicated revenue for the remainder of 2010, said commission director Marilyn Heifner.

“Either we’re going to have to find some money or we’re going to have to really do some cutting,” Heifner said at this month’s meeting.

The commission will discuss and allocate the funds at next month’s regular meeting.

Fayetteville A & P Commission Funding Requests – April 2010

 

DateEvent2009 Funds2010 Request
Oct. 9-10Fayetteville Half-MarathonNew$20,000
Mid Sept.Puppets in the Park$0$1,000
Sept. 25Ozark Harvest Food FestivalNew$4,700
Oct. 28-29Lewis & Clark Adventure Races$3,000$5,000
Nov. 7CyclocrossNew$2,500
Nov. 4-7540 Film Festival$8,000$62,000
Nov. 21-Dec. 31Lights of the Ozarks$20,000$30,000
JuneAll OUT JuneNew$10,000
Oct. 7-10OffShoot Film FestivalNew$20,000
May-Oct.Fayetteville UndergroundNew$29,057
July 27-Aug. 8Beauty and the Beast*$25,000
Sept. / Dec.TheatreSquared$8,000**$15,000
Year RoundWashington County Fair$0$36,612
Totals $39,000$260,869

* Walton Arts Center was awarded $30,000 in April for Artosphere
** TheatreSquared was awarded $7,000 in April for marketing