By Patrick Sharkey

The City of Derry Jazz Festival, gearing up for its 23rd year in 2024, reveals a collaborative funding approach aimed at ensuring the event’s financial viability. With a budget of £120,000, the Council’s Business and Culture Committee has established a financing model that involves local venues in sharing the financial responsibilities. Next year’s festival will take place over the May Bank Holiday weekend, from Thursday May 2 to Monday May 6.  The festival will include an educational programme with local schools, jazz hubs al fresco jazz at the Craft Village and Guildhall Square, music workshops and Jazz.

Below this plan, local venues are expected to contribute 80% towards artists’ fees. This collaborative effort not only recognises the crucial role played by these venues in Derry’s cultural landscape but also reflects a joint commitment to supporting the arts. As well as being a stage for local and visiting jazz artists, it’s a major visitor attraction with over 80,000 visitors participating last year and contributing significantly to the local economy. She said key to the ongoing success of the festival is the role played by Council through its event co-ordination, marketing, and subvention as well as the financial contribution from local venues in the local hospitality sector.  On the way to ensure the continued growth of the festival it is advised that Council hope to continue a gradual but transitional range of changes, which will ultimately see the Council playing a co-ordination and promotional role.

In a move to encourage inclusivity, venues featuring new artists will contribute 75%, with the Council covering the remaining 25% of the financial contribution. This approach intends to provide opportunities for emerging talents while maintaining the festival’s overall financial stability.