A push by Maribyrnong council for the Big West Festival to move from a biennial to a yearly event was a key factor in its demise, the festival’s board claims.
Star Weekly earlier this month reported an artist-led grassroots fight for the festival to be saved following the board’s decision to wrap-up the 20-year festival and organisation at the end of this year.
A statement by the board notes that one of the primary considerations behind the decision was pressure from the council to move to an annual format.
“Over a series of meetings a core funder (Maribyrnong City Council), articulated their need for Big West to move from a biennial festival to present an annual festival.
“This was a significant shift, as they have previously funded the development year, as well as the biennial festival,” the board noted.
Its statement, issued last week, argued the council’s push was at odds with philanthropic partners seeking “long, deep engagement between artists and communities”.
“These conflicting expectations would create an untenable strain on the organisation.”
Artists have also raised concerns that funding by the council came via its marketing arm rather than the arts and culture portfolio.
Council’s planning services director Nigel Higgins said the council has backed Big West Festival as a signature event for two decades and it is considered a ‘Signature Festival’.
“Council has provided funding in excess of $80,000 per year for the past six years,” he said.
“It added to a balanced Festival City calendar with a biennial festival in November, producing significant cultural benefits for the City. It was also well loved by the community.”
He said the council respects that the Big West Board is the independent decision-maker on the running of their festival.
The possibility of the festival’s survival appears increasingly remote now, after the board’s refusal to consider a six-week freeze on winding up, a request made at a meeting last week with the Save Big West campaign.
Save Big West spokesman Hoang Tran Nguyen said the refusal came as a shock as the Board had advised the group no real winding down would take place in the next six weeks.
Mr Nguyen said the group has been sidelined in all discussions about the future of the event and organisation but will continue to fight to keep the festival alive.
