Board cancels vote to shut down Vancouver Folk Music Festival Society

Leaders at the society behind the struggling Vancouver Folk Festival have paused their plan to vote on whether the society should be dissolved, as a co-founder of the festival says the dissolution should never have been an option.

A statement from the Vancouver Folk Music Festival Society on Monday said the board voted to withdraw its motion to dissolve the society, which was put forward last month as the festival faced mounting financial difficulties.

The society's president said the board did an about-face after hearing from the public, partners and other festivals.

"The Vancouver Folk Music Festival has long been, and is currently, in a financially dire condition. Our main goal as the board has always been to see a strong, sustainable festival," said board president Mark Zuberbuhler.

"Because of the strong support that has come from the community and our partners we now see the possibility of building that festival."

The statement did not say whether the society has solidified financial plans, but said it was launching a fundraising and volunteer drive as a result of the public's support.

Festival co-founder Gary Cristall says the dissolution of the society should never have been an option. 

"It's one thing to re-configure a festival, it's another to say the society is dead," he said.

In January, organizers said the festival would not return to the city this summer because production costs have risen and the event landscape has changed after years of pandemic shutdowns.

According to festival board vice president Philip Hemming, costs for the 2022 event ballooned by 40 per cent when compared to the last edition, in 2019. Looking ahead to 2023, the society estimated it would have to go $500,000 in debt to make the festival happen.

Board should've shared financial concerns sooner: co-founder

Hemming says the festival is still low on cash and facing a difficult situation, but organizers are confident the offers of help that have come in since they announced plans to shut it down will translate into financial support.

"We need partnerships. We need sponsorships, and we need donations to save the festival."

Cristall said the board should have shared financial concerns publicly sooner. 

"When a house is on fire, you call the fire department," he said. "They kept it to themselves, and then quietly decided to kill the entire organization. It's a problem. It's a weak leadership. They need to be replaced.

"It's hard to trust your would be, but now repentant, executioner."

The society's annual general meeting is scheduled for March 1, and will be held virtually. The board says having it online will increase access for members.

But Cristall says it should be in person. 

"I get the feeling they don't want the members to come together," he said. 

The society — a not-for-profit, charitable organization — hosts year-round concerts and events in addition to the flagship, volunteer-run festival.

The three-day event has been a fixture in the city's arts and culture scene for nearly 45 years.