By DAVID DUPONT
BG Independent News
The Black Swamp Arts Festival is a go, one way or another.
“We will be creating as much of a festival as possible,” said Jamie Sands, who chairs the festival committee. The festival is scheduled for Sept.10 through Sept. 12.
The committee is considering three options: a full festival with masking and recommended social distancing; a scaled-back festival at about 30 percent of usual; or a reinvented festival combining virtual access and in-person self-discoverable art activities.
In May, the committee will make its decision on which option to pursue. “That’s the latest we could push that decision back.”
“As of late, things are looking very encouraging,” she said.
The committee is looking at a variety factors including the number of people vaccinated and state health protocols. Fairs opening up, indoor entertainment venues allowed to be open at 25 percent, and BGSU moving toward more face-to-face classes are positive signs.
Still the festival will be different. There’ll be more large round tables instead of the small bistro types, and fewer chairs will be put out. Signage will remind people of social distancing protocols.
The concessions will spread out to reduce congestion.
The main footprint of festival in downtown Bowling Green will be unchanged, but the committee is considering other spaces as well to present other art experiences.
The committee has to anticipate whatever the guidelines will be come the second weekend of September. “We’re trying to be very flexible because things change as we know pretty quickly,” she said.
“No matter what, it’s going to be a safe festival, and it’s going to be a great festival,” Sands said.
The response from artists has been good. When the 2020 festival was canceled, the festival repaid artists for all fees, including those paid to the third party ZAPPlication site that handles applications for the art show.
“They weren’t out a penny,” she said. “That builds a trust and loyalty. We have people who want to be involved in the festival.”
The performing arts committee, led by Cole Christensen and Tim Concannon, has been cautious in how much money they are spending.
The festival has benefited from $1,700 from the Ohio Arts Council and $35,000 from Arts Midwest. “That has enabled us to pivot and make this leap of faith and making sure what we do this year is really supporting our mission, which is to celebrate and support the arts and support the arts for all,” Sands said.
All the money will go toward benefiting artists, including high school artists and musicians, and giving the community access to the arts, Sands said. “Whatever that looks like will be the best we can do at that time.”
