Fuel Festival runs on empty

Hamilton might lose one of its premier arts festivals after organisers confirmed a $50,000 deficit after this year's programme.

The Fuel Festival, which was held in July, has run for 12 years and alternates each year between showcasing the nation's best musical and theatrical talent.

Fuel Festival Trust chairman Mark Oberman yesterday said the trust had paid the 30 creditors 70 cents in the dollar and the future of the festival was now down to those it owed money to.

"I've put a communique out to all the creditors seeking guidance from them," said Mr Oberman, who has chaired the trust for the past three years.

Creditors could either view the loss as sponsorship of the event, which would allow it to continue, or ask for it to be wound up.

"We're really in the hands of the creditors."

The shortfall came about through one "cornerstone community trust", which previously funded the event, dropping out.

"We start planning a year in advance. We go out, seek funding and put in applications to trusts but often we don't get the response to those until just prior to the event, so we've got a balancing act to perform and in the last 12 years we've got that balancing act right – this year we didn't," Mr Oberman said.

The festival also suffered from a lack of attendance this year.

The trust conservatively budgeted for a 52 per cent attendance rate but did not reach that.

Mayor Bob Simcock and Hamilton Community Arts Council manager Tracey Wood put some of the problem down to the economic climate but Mr Oberman was adamant the failure rested on his shoulders.

"One of our biggest shortcomings was we didn't put a compelling marketing programme together that appealed to our target audience because we were really unsuccessful in getting the numbers we should've got and we have to take responsibility for that," he said.

"I'm not about excuses."

Mr Oberman said he hoped the creditors would stand by the festival, which brought international-quality acts to the city, and so far the feedback had been positive.

"We've got really strong relationships and I'm hoping that will see us through this period."

Next year Mr Oberman, who was the founding chairman of the Hamilton Gardens Arts Festival, hoped the Fuel Festival would be able to collaborate with the city's other arts festivals like Ignition and the Gardens Summer festival.

Mr Simcock said it would be a great shame if Hamilton lost what had become "an institution" for the city's art lovers.

Ms Wood also said the loss would be "hugely disappointing" but it was indicative of what was happening across the art scene. "At the moment we're struggling to develop audiences," she said. "It's about offering opportunities – putting the product out there and marketing it well."

- © Fairfax NZ News