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Lucrative event to make a return

AN INTERNATIONAL arts festival that attracted 40,000 people to the region and generated £500,000 for the economy is set for a welcome return in 2010.

AV10 – the third biennial AV Festival of electronic art, music and film –was staged in March this year across the North East has been hailed by organisers as the most successful yet.

According to an economic impact evaluation report, produced by BOP Consulting, AV10 attracted 38,161 visitors - an increase of 65 per cent on the 2008 event.

The report also says that the future potential for the festival is high with 93 per cent of visitors stating that they planned to visit the festival when it is next staged in 2012.

BOP predicts that in 2012 the number of visitors could rise to 56,462, with 16,630 expected to come from outside the region.

John Shipley, leader of Newcastle City Council, said: “AV Festival 10 has been a great success. The evaluation report makes it clear that the events have reached out to both existing and new audiences and that there has been a real economic impact across the region.”

Alison Clark-Jenkins, regional director of Arts Council England, said: “AV Festival is punching far above its weight. Its programme is of exceptional international quality, with its heart very much in the North East.

“The huge increase in visitors from outside of the region, and the associated economic impact is a reflection of the festival’s commitment to both artists and audiences.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .