Cash woes spark fear over future of Nairn festival that attracted authors such as Iain Banks and Liz Lochhead
A POPULAR arts festival which has previously hosted names such as Iain Banks and Liz Lochhead is set to be cancelled unless £15,000 is raised in one month.
The organisers of the well-established Nairn Book and Arts Festival have issued a public appeal in a bid to plug the funding gap after losing a crucial backer.
Arts development agency Creative Scotland has confirmed it is not giving a grant to the event this year, leaving organisers until May 1 to raise the money.
David Godden, festival chairman, said failure to do so would force the cancellation of this year’s festival.
"Losing Creative Scotland support this year has been a massive blow to the festival, leaving a £15,000 gap in our finances and threatening not only this year’s festival but its entire future," he said.
"We have almost 100 events planned for this year’s festival - literary talks, music, poetry and visual art, writing and art competitions, and free children’s events.
"In addition to what it brings to the cultural life of the area, the festival plays a vital part in the local economy, boosts tourism in the region, and provides opportunities and support to local arts groups, volunteers and venues.
"The knock-on effect of losing it would be extremely damaging."
He acknowledged that with tickets due to go on sale in June, the timing was extremely tight.
"We are asking the public for their support - any donation, however small, will make a difference," Mr Godden said.
The festival – in its 14th year – has hosted well-known names in literature, including Iain Banks, William Dalrymple, James Kelman, Liz Lochhead, Carol Ann Duffy, Chris Brookmyre and Denise Mina.
Recent speakers have also included Kate Adie, Kirsty Wark, Ann Widdecombe, Simon Calder and James Naughtie.
The six-day event attracts more than 5000 people and also includes live music performances, a growing poetry and performance programme, Gaelic language events, talks on art, history, and heritage, art exhibitions and creative workshops.
Creative Scotland told the organisers its open project fund could only support about one-third of the applications. Given such demand, limited resources and competing priorities it was unable to support the Nairn bid.
Donations to the appeal can be made via www.crowdfunder.co.uk/nairn-book-and-arts-festival.
Cheques payable to Nairn Book and Arts Festival can be sent to the Nairn Community and Arts Centre, King St. Nairn IV12 4BQ,
Donations can be handed in there and at Nairn Bookshop.
