Artsfest to return after 2020 cancellation

Artsfest, the annual center city festival that typically draws tens of thousands of guests, is returning this year after being called off in 2020 due to the pandemic.

The arts festival on historic Walnut Street this year is scheduled May 1-2, according to a joint news release from the Springfield Regional Arts Council and Downtown Springfield Association.

"The SRAC and DSA have spent months diving deep into the needs of our artists, as well as various ways to safely host Artsfest. This was not a decision we made lightly," said Leslie Forrester, executive director of SRAC, in the release. "We are grateful for the guidance from the Springfield-Greene County Health Department and the city of Springfield.

"We are so excited to help kick off this season of recovery that our arts economy desperately needs."

Planned coronavirus safety protocols include temperature checks, masking and physical distancing requirements, and a capacity limitation to 2,500 guests per timed entry, according to the release.

Tickets are scheduled to be sold in two-hour flights.

Forrester said via email it’s difficult to project attendance this year due to the capacity requirements. Prior to the pandemic, Artsfest had 15,000-18,000 attendees annually, she said. Forrester added this year’s Artsfest would have about 115 artist vendors, down from 125-135 in a typical year, to ensure sufficient spacing between booths. Vendors will be able to travel from out of town for the event, she said.

The return of Artsfest comes as the pandemic has put a substantial dent in the arts industry. SRAC last year teamed up with the Springfield Ballet, Springfield Little Theatre and Springfield Regional Opera to form advocacy and fundraising group Ozarks Performing Arts League in response to the pandemic.

At the time of OPAL's formation in October, the four groups reported a cumulative $1.1 million in lost revenue due to the pandemic. During that same time period, the nationwide toll on the arts industry was estimated at $14 billion, according to past reporting.

DSA Executive Director Rusty Worley said in the release that Artsfest's return should bring some relief to the local economy.

"It's been a long year for all of us," he said in the release. "This year's Artsfest gives all of us the opportunity to support talented artists and small-business owners as they, too, emerge from a difficult year."