Sandy Martin represented the request by the Arts Council for $25,000 in City Advertising and Promotion marketing support funds for the 2017 May Festival of the Arts. At the Nov. 9 CAPC meeting Martin said the event would be the 30th anniversary of the month-long festival that kicks off the tourism season, with 172 events in 30 days. She said that next year they are considering focusing on a different type of art each week. Culinary arts, literary arts, performing arts and adventurous arts will each get a week, for example, with visual arts and music integrated throughout the month.
Martin said she is planning for the festivities to spread to new areas including Lake Leatherwood City Park. She intends for some of the support funds to be spent sponsoring a piece of permanent art to be displayed.
Martin had passed around a preliminary chart showing how the support funds would be allocated, and agreed to present more specific numbers before commissioners approve the 2017 budget.
Commissioner Charles Ragsdell stated the commission needs a specific way to evaluate the impact of the event, even a head count, and a way to gauge value of the investment.
Commissioner Susan Harman suggested enticing all schools within a 90-minute drive to be involved or at least invited so the kids will be introduced to Eureka Springs so they will return.
Maloney said he starts heavily promoting the event in April.
Commissioners supported the idea but wanted more details from Martin. Commissioner Dustin Duling commented, “This is our chance to shine.”