An important message from the Regina Folk Festival
To our dear friends and supporters,
It is with heavy hearts that the Regina Folk Festival Board of Directors announce the cancellation of the 53rd edition of the Regina Folk Festival.
Despite the dedicated efforts of staff and board, it is no longer possible to continue producing the festival due to financial constraints and reduced operational capacity. The time has come to say goodbye to the Regina Folk Festival.
We are deeply disappointed to not be able to introduce the new format of the festival with you, as planned. RFF Insider tickets purchased in 2024 and “You Had To Be There” tickets purchased in 2023 are in the process of being refunded. Ticket buyers can check their email inboxes for their refund over the next few business days. Thanks in advance for your patience as we process the refunds.
The Board of Directors are now working to dissolve the organization with grace, according to our bylaws. The Board of Directors will invite the membership to a Special General Meeting later this spring to determine the next steps for the organization.
For many years, RFF enjoyed growth and abundance, but recently, economic challenges have become insurmountable. Ongoing financial pressures from the pandemic, including stagnant or reduced funding, rising costs, and declining ticket sales, have created obstacles we can no longer overcome.
In 2024 we took a fallow year to rebuild and re-vision the festival. This allowed us to examine our operational plans across all festival areas while focusing on capacity-building. Throughout this transitional period, we delivered a concert series in lieu of a festival. We strengthened our foundation through policy development, research, and strategic planning.
When we announced the return of the festival this past November, we were optimistic and worked to meet our ambitious targets. However, by the end of January, it became clear that financial challenges and capacity limitations could not be overcome.
The live music sector in Canada has suffered greatly over the last five years and we are not immune. Although there’s been a gradual recovery, many festivals and venues are still struggling, and in some cases, pausing or ceasing operations. According to the Canadian Live Music Association, the industry experienced a staggering 60% revenue decline during the pandemic. Self-generated revenue and sponsorship income have not kept pace with inflation. According to Festivals and Major Events Canada, it now costs 30% to 40% more than it did in 2019 to organize a comparable event.
The generosity and commitment of our funders, sponsors, and partners during a difficult period of time has been deeply appreciated. We’d like to give special thanks to Canadian Heritage, City of Regina, SK Arts, Tourism Saskatchewan, and TD Bank Group for their unwavering support.
This news is difficult, however we are filled with gratitude for everyone involved with the festival. We are grateful for the dedication, love, and expertise of our volunteers. We appreciate the support and encouragement given to us by our donors, partners, and sponsors. We continue to be inspired by the musicians and artists who’ve graced our stages with their talent. We are grateful for the hardworking staff and crew who powered this world-class event. Last but not least, we are so thankful for the generations of audience members who made this festival as special as it was.
We are also saying goodbye to Artistic Director Amber Goodwyn very soon. We thank Amber for her visionary programming and exceptional leadership through pivotal moments of transition in the history of the organization. Amber joined the Regina Folk Festival in March 2021 and led us through two editions of the Regina Folk Festival, including a re-mounting of the festival in 2022 after a pandemic-related pause. She launched noteworthy initiatives like the Advisory Committee, Guest Curatorship, on-line Offerings programming, the Community Wishlist, among many other ventures. She developed pandemic programming, fallow-year concert programming, and a new (unrealized) format for 2025—with many pivots along the way. Amber’s artistic direction has been invaluable, characterized by thoughtful themes that are deeply integrated with the community and a keen eye for curation. The Board of Directors is grateful to Amber for navigating the festival through many transitions with grace and determination, always prioritizing creativity and inclusivity.
For 55 years, the Regina Folk Festival has been more than just a celebration of live music; it’s been a highly-anticipated weekend of community building where lasting memories were made. We are heartbroken that it is time to say goodbye. We look forward to discovering all the beautiful new events that will sprout in its absence.
We encourage everyone to support the arts however they can.
With gratitude,
The Regina Folk Festival