A group of about a hundred independent festivals is condemning the multimillion-dollar rescue operation that created a Montreal comedy festival to replace the festival at the last minute. Just for laughscanceled due to bankruptcy of the group founded by Gilbert Rozon.
In a letter addressed to DutyA group of independent regional arts festivals (REFRAIN) is bemoaning the fact that the state is coming to the aid of one of Montreal’s countless major festivals while small independent events are struggling.
“There was talk of financial support for a new comedy festival to “save the summer in Montreal”. But I don’t think summer was in danger in Montreal,” says Patrick Kearney, president of REFRAIN.
There is no shortage of large festivals in the metropolis, points out the representative of small independent events. Holding one less festival this summer would not be catastrophic for Montreal, he believes. These days, even before the start of the season, the Quartier des spectacles is already bustling with life, the good weather is returning.
Why fund one organization when you can include several festivals that are already established in the metropolis, which enliven the city throughout the year?
The three levels of government, Quebec, Ottawa and the City of Montreal, nevertheless deemed it necessary to financially support the ComediHa! group, which announced the holding of a new comedy festival at the beginning of the month. This event will take place from July 18 to 28, at the same time as the Just for Laughs festival is planned.
According to data collected from Duty, the governments and the city consider it crucial to hold a festival of laughter in Montreal, “the capital of humor in North America”. Our sources indicate that public financial assistance for this last minute event amounts to between 3 and 4 million dollars.
ComedyHa! indicated that Duty that the budget of the event is between 9 and 12 million dollars. The Quebec-based company says funding will come from ticket sales, own-source revenue, private sponsorships and public partnerships. The program will be announced at a press conference in early June.
“Breathless”
“Why fund one organization when several festivals that are already established in the metropolis, which enliven the city throughout the year, could be involved? The latter are running out of strength and this spontaneous hand out would certainly be an excellent opportunity to help these festivals survive in this uncertain reality,” says REFRAIN in a letter to Duty.
There are restrictions on beer sales to fund the festival
The 111 independent festivals in Quebec have found themselves in a difficult position, explains Patrick Kearney, who is also the general manager of the Santa Teresa Festival in Sainte-Thérèse. These independent events play a leading role in their environment. Half of them reported a total decrease of $2 million in federal, provincial, regional and municipal aid compared to last year, according to REFRAIN.
Almost a quarter of these regional festivals (or 25 of them) were excluded from funding by the Conseil des arts et lettres du Québec this year. This public assistance is considered essential to sustain their activities, as these events are free to the public.
“There are restrictions on beer sales to fund the festival,” says Patrick Kearney. “We are constructive, we do not complain, but for us there is a line that has been crossed (by public support for the new humor festival). If we were a big festival, we would be listened to”, he adds.
Artists suffer
Lack of access to programs in Quebec hurts street art. “Without financial resources, creation is no longer possible,” laments Louis-Philippe Lemay, co-founder and general director of the CHAPO International Buskers Festival, in Mascouche, in a video broadcast last week.
He and his colleague Léa Philippe, the initiator and general director of the Montreal Street Arts Festival, are launching a “cry from the heart” to finance their events. Due to lack of funds, Léa Philippe pays artists a third of their regular fee. He plans to shorten the dates at his festival, which has been bringing life to the streets of Montreal for seven summers.
Only one provincial program, established last year after five years of mobilization, financially supports street art. The Street Arts Festival is not included this year. At the time of writing, the office of the Minister of Culture and Communications, Mathieu Lacombe, was unable to answer questions Duty.
Ottawa indicated that the envelope for the Canada Fund for the Arts has been increased by $31 million in the 2024 budget. This measure aims to support festivals across the country, most of which are independent festivals.
The distribution of funds is coming, and REFRAINA members have the right to do so, we remind you in the capital of the federal state. These independent festivals are “necessary in the region,” says a source familiar with the matter.