FORT SIMPSON - Organizers are smiling in Fort Simpson after receiving a much-needed funding boost for the Deh Cho's biggest arts festival.

Michael Blyth, artistic director for the Open Sky Creative Society, is already working on funding applications for next year's Open Sky Festival. - Roxanna Thompson/NNSL photo

The Open Sky Festival was given $22,171 from the Arts Presentation Canada program of the Department of Canadian Heritage.

"By investing in the Open Sky Festival, we are ensuring that residents of the Deh Cho region have greater opportunities to experience and enjoy artistic expression from across Canada," said Beverley Oda, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Status of Women in a press release.

Without the funding the festival wouldn't happen, said Michael Blyth, artistic director for the Open Sky Creative Society and the festival's co-ordinator.

"It makes the festival happen. Without this it wouldn't be what it is," said Blyth.

The festival has received the funding every year over its seven-year history. This year's donation was exactly the amount asked for in a proposal submitted last year from the festival, said Blyth.

Running the festival, however, requires over four times that amount, approximately $88,000. Travel arrangements are a big part of the costs because many people come from other areas, said Blyth. Cost for the administration and venues also add up.

Other funding comes from in-kind donations, corporate sponsors, various territorial government departments and municipal agencies.

"You have to really diversify to make it happen," Blyth said.

Blyth is still waiting for confirmation from a number of government departments and corporations for funding for this year's festival.

Staying true to the goal of having a different theme every year, this year's festival will focus on storytelling, something that hasn't been done before.

Storytellers will be brought in to perform and do workshops, said Blyth. There will be a mix of aboriginal and non-aboriginal storytellers.

The festival will also include its normal mix of music, workshops, demonstrations and the Saturday night concert. Returning to its roots, the festival will only last three days, from June 29-July 1. Last year the festival was four days long, but events were spread out and there was too much dead time, said Blyth.

"It seems to flow better when there's only three days," he said.

The plan is to have artists and craftspeople stay all day Sunday and use the statutory holiday on Monday to travel. It will be three full days, Blyth said.

Deh Cho artists who are interested in demonstrating, performing or selling their crafts at the festival have until May 15 to register.