The Dorothy Pax, the popular Victoria Quays-based venue, is calling for help from the Sheffield community to continue running its ‘Pax in the Park’ fringe festival for free as it faces funding issues.
‘Pax in the Park’, which is one of the various fringe events that runs in Sheffield in July during the Tramlines period, took place in Heeley People’s Park, where attendees were able to enjoy “a stunning line up of world-class artists”, as well as drinks provided by “Sheffield’s best breweries” and food from various street food vendors.
The Dorothy Pax, who operate the festival, funded it last year using its own reserves, as well as remnants of money received from the Arts Council England’s Culture Recovery Fund. However, due to a lack of funds this year, they are asking for donations, as well as volunteers, to enable them to keep the festival going, and maintain its free-entry policy.
You can read part of the Dorothy Pax’s statement below:
What’s the problem then?
Last year Pax in the Park was funded by reserves from the Dorothy Pax, and the remnants of our successful application to the Arts Council England’s Culture Recovery Fund.
Quite simply, all of our remaining funds were spent on last year’s event.
As all of you will know, it’s been an extremely tough time for all of Sheffield’s independent businesses, and it’s been tough for the DPx. This is why we’re reaching out for help to fund this event.
We’ve managed to survive the last few tricky years— and now we’re fighting to keep our doors open under the cost of living crisis like you and the rest of the nation. We’re extremely proud to still be here, and we’re proud of our kind community who are very much at the centre of all we do.
Why We Need YOU
The fact remains that we don’t have anywhere near the £85k it costs to host this event.
We’re not going to lie to you and say that this event won’t go ahead without a successful crowdfund, but we believe in being honest and have no reservation about letting you know that funds are extremely tight.
We always pay and play fairly with our artists, crew, techs and suppliers.
We would never turn our community-spirited, free event into a closed-off, ticketed commercial venture and create an inaccessible space. It’s just not how we roll, and we believe that especially right now, free community events are critical to all of our wellbeing.
We love hosting the good people of Sheffield and beyond. It’s you that make the DPx such a uniquely joyful melting pot of vibe, open and accessible to all.
And nowhere was that more obvious than at Pax in the Park last year.
You can read the rest of the Dorothy Pax’s statement on their website here.
