Malcolm Gorrill
Northern News Services

Inuvik (Feb 08/02) - The Great Northern Arts Festival Society has had to cut two positions to make up for a shortfall in anticipated revenue.

One full-time position was not renewed when a worker left to go to school in September. As well, the contract was not renewed for another worker who usually is on contract pretty much year round.

As a result, executive director Darrin White and his wife, Gail Hodder, GNAF artistic director, are handling everything.

"It's been pretty intense," White said, "eight shoes to fill with only four."

White and Hodder assumed their posts in July 2001.

"It made the learning curve steeper," White said.

In terms of explaining the revenue shortfall, White said, "ultimately it may come down to perhaps anticipating more money from the oil and gas industry last year than actually was achieved."

White said the big oil and gas firms tend to argue they do not yet have a big, direct presence in this area, and that they already provide large sums to organizations such as the Aboriginal Achievement Foundation, which in turn dishes out money to groups such as the GNAF.

White said the staffing cuts were necessary to keep from going over budget.

Hodder and White have been redefining their roles to separate their duties more. White is responsible for accounts payable and receivable, fund-raising and reporting, and all general accounting duties.

Hodder is focusing more on the festival itself, such as working with artists and entertainers. Both will share some duties, such as in marketing.

White and Hodder are pursuing accreditation in special events/attractions management through the Canadian Tourism Human Resources Council.

The GNAF Society held its annual general meeting Jan. 23. New to the board of directors are Danae Tilley, Steve Bonhomme, Sheila Anderson and Linda McConnell.

Re-elected to the board are Theresa Ross and Christy Black. Remaining directors are Cheryl Baytaluke and Marnie Hilash.

Grant awarded

Recently it was announced the GNAF is to receive $40,000 under the Cultural Initiatives Program. In an interview Tuesday, White said they were counting on a grant from this program, though the actual amount is "substantially more" than they received last year.

However, White said, "We're not exactly jumping with glee yet."

He explained this is the first grant that's been confirmed.

"We don't know that levels of funding we're going to be receiving from other federal and territorial agencies," White said.

"This year we're hearing down the pipe that the different funding programs are kind of all over the place in the amounts that are being granted."

White also pointed out that the grant money the GNAF just got awarded is only applicable to expenses after April 1.

"I have no idea when we'll actually see any of it," White said.

"As far as our present situation, we're in a tight squeeze for some months still."