Column: We’ll remain a key part of cultural offer

What a week ... as the UK goes into Lockdown II and the US election campaigning rages on to its conclusion.

They say a week is a long time in politics, but it felt more like a day last Saturday. Following the leak of a second national lockdown and the promise of a briefing from the PM, the family crowded round the TV at all the promised times from 4pm onwards. I suspect only the thought of Strictly being lost to the schedule meant that Boris appeared when he did.

After his announcement it’s fair to say that the nation needed a good dose of music and dance, with the social networks lighting up with much needed Strictly joy after the briefing. If you haven’t seen it, I recommend Bill Bailey and his dance partner Oti Mabuse and their fabulous quickstep as a particular delight – it is truly a joy.

All this serves to remind us of the value of the arts, music, dance, singing, and what we have lost over the last six months. The UK cultural landscape has changed beyond recognition and 2020 has been a year like no other for Harrogate International Festivals.

Yes, we can move our offer online and reach thousands of people, we can create pop-up works of art such as the light up book as part of the Raworths Harrogate Literature Festivals last week, and we can encourage people to develop and challenge their creativity, writing their own ‘ten word stories’ about Harrogate. Quite frankly, it has been wonderful to be able to continue to deliver work.

To not disappear, not go dark, shut the doors and stop altogether. When you work in events you thrive on audience, community and the shared experience and this should be a key part of any cultural organisation’s DNA.

However, as an arts charity we are responsible for raising 98 per cent of our income through ticket sales, sponsorship, collaborations and donations. That constant challenge has meant we have always worked within a strong business framework to raise these less than robust income streams, but the sheer scale of the pandemic and its repercussions have left the festivals sector reeling and we are not immune.

We cannot survive without income, yet our most vital revenue streams disappeared overnight. Times are extremely challenging, and HIF unfortunately did not qualify for the recent emergency Arts Council England.

Whilst we are often recognised as an extremely resilient organisation, agile and adaptable for over 50 years, we can’t deny that the extended lockdown has a significant and ongoing impact on our survival. Incredibly sad decisions have had to be made. There will undoubtedly be further difficult decisions ahead.

Over the coming months we will need to raise funds that can support us as we plot a route forward and to secure our future; whilst continuing to find new ways to connect writers, readers, musicians and audiences.

At HIF, we are more than a series of events; we are at the heart of Harrogate’s cultural life and have been a magnet and income generator for local tourism for more than 50 years. Our pre-Christmas ticketed events were to be launched this week.

A much needed, but small scale, salve to our income, but it was not to be. We are now back to our 2021 planning for fundraising, programmes and ensuring we remain a relevant and important part of the cultural offer of our wonderful district. We have a battle ahead but with our friends, partners and supporters we will live to create and deliver exciting and challenging programmes of work for our community.

In the meantime, stay safe, be careful and if you’re looking for some free entertainment, go to www.harrogateinternationalfestivals.com for a host of activities, podcasts and events from across the last eight months.