Derry Jazz Festival set to move away from ratepayer funding

Derry and Strabane District Council is seeking to reduce the city's jazz festival's reliance on rate payer money over the coming years.

A report about next year's event was presented to council at the Business and Community meeting on Tuesday.

A council officer said the Council currently contributes 20% of artists' fees.

“Members, you agreed to freeze the yearly tier two subvention rate for venues at 80% for 2023, meaning the rate is set at 20% for this year's festival, with venues contributing 80% towards artists fees and Council contributing 20%. If, however, venues programme new artists the 75% venue contribution and 25% Council contribution be awarded,” she said.

“Officers for the 2024 event will be working within the existing rates allocation for the festival which is £120,000.

“Members you're asked to approve the programming and financial arrangements for the 2024 City of Derry Jazz and Big Band Festival as set out above.”

Cllr Grace Uí Niallais asked about the plan to further reduce Council expenditure on the festival.

“In terms of the rates, we welcome the work being done to reduce the level of rate sponsorship but we need to reduce this as quickly as possible,” the Sinn Féin councillor said.

“I know you're saying that you are hoping that the council moves to a more of a supportive role and the years go forward. But is there a plan to reduce this down further towards 50% and then towards the zero? Is there any sort of a plan in place for that?”

She was told that the festival was set to reduce its reliance on rate funding by 5% each year however following covid and other issues the hospitality sector said it was under enough stress and asked to keep the rate at 80/20.

The council officer said plans for this phased reduction will be resumed next year.

“We hope that we will be moving towards another 5% next year. That has been the increment over a number of years.”

Sponsors

Cllr Niallais also asked about the disparity in sponsorship fees between the Cork and Derry Jazz Festivals.

“Diageo also sponsors the Cork Jazz Festival, but ours is obviously far better than theirs,” she laughed. “But they sponsor the Cork Jazz Festival £1 million and they only sponsor us between £15,000 to £20,000.”

“So I know that you're hoping that they will increase their contribution for 2024 as part of a five year plan. Is there anything else we can do on top of that?

“Are there any other major sponsors being approached? or smaller sponsors?

“So what we would like to see is for this council area to be funding this less and for it to be more sector driven.”

She asked about the possibility of meeting with the organisers of Cork Jazz festival and/or with the sponsors to learn the reason for the disparity.

The officer said discussions are ongoing with Diageo but the company is structured 'quite differently' in the North and South. She added that organisers have told the company Council members would like to meet with them.

“Last year, we instigated quite an intense sponsorship effort particularly across our marketing and events team and we're discussing with a number of sponsors.

“We're also starting to have discussions with tourism Northern Ireland to talk to them about how we lift sponsorship for all events.”

Alderman Hussey asked if there was any possibility of sending out 'sections' of the festival out to rural areas to give them a sample in the lead up, similar to what the Maiden City Festival used to do.

The council officer said she was 'happy to consider it'.