Utah Arts Festival looks to make changes following lackluster year

SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Arts Festival had its worst turnout in decades. Now festival executives are looking to make changes.

The festival lost around $200,000 in revenue after fewer people showed up than its intended goal. Most of the Festival’s revenue comes from ticket sales, concessions, and program fees.

Executive Director Aimée Dunsmore said one of the reasons for the lowered attendance was extreme heat. 

“It’s getting hotter towards the end of the month,” she said. “That was definitely something we heard from visual artists (and) from artists participating as well as some patrons this year as … reasons they didn’t attend and would have in the past.”

Dunsmore said the Utah Arts Festival is looking to change how it operates in the future. It’s asking the community to help.

“Part of what we’re asking for, in addition to financial support … is feedback. What are the factors that kept you from attending,” she said.

According to Dunsmore, the festival is looking to potentially move to a new month or location.

Learn more on how to help the Utah Arts Festival and where to share your feedback here.

Josuee Sanchez is a reporter for KSL NewsRadio.

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