They do spend money in other ways. And the local bars, restaurants, hotels, and businesses are quite thankful. So are the hundreds of juried artists who come to show and to sell.
Some of the businesses who reap the financial rewards from the Festival’s efforts happily give back as sponsors, investing a bit of their earnings into the production of the event that brings their customers to town.
However, the Arts Festival also heavily relies on donations from festival-goers who enjoy and appreciate their experience.
If you value your Arts Festival memories and experiences, and look forward to even more when it is safe to do so, please give back. If the Arts Festival holds a special place in your heart, please give back.
How much is the Arts Festival experience worth to you? How much would you miss it if it didn’t come back?
The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted everyone’s lives in big and small ways. For us, it forced the switch to a virtual Arts Festival in 2020 and a mostly virtual Arts Festival in 2021.
Financially, we made it through 2020, drawing on special grant opportunities, the increased generosity of our donors, and some of the reserve funds set aside for this kind of emergency. That has continued into 2021, and the Board has their sights focused on sustaining the organization and its institutional knowledge until we can once again harness the full power of the Arts Festival.
With a live event, the Arts Festival attracts tourism, stimulates the local economy, supports talented visual and performing artist-entrepreneurs, and yes, stabilizes—and in time will grow—the Festival’s own resources to make all of this happen for the good of the entire community.
With the 2021 hybrid Arts Festival now in the rear-view mirror, we are moving forward with planning for a LIVE New Year’s Eve event and a LIVE Arts Festival in 2022. Won’t it be wonderful to enjoy these two events on the streets of downtown State College again!
With your financial contribution today to the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts, you help to make that possible. Thank you!
