FynArts – onwards and upwards!

At the FynArts AGM held in the municipal auditorium last week, Festival Director Mary Faure described how the Covid-19 lockdown had derailed the events planned for FynArts 2020 – 163 in total, the highest number ever. “But cancelling the entire 12-day festival that would have taken place from 5 – 16 June, was unthinkable,” she said.

Instead, Mary decided to rather change the format of the festival. “By embracing change and learning to adapt, we were able to harness technology to increase our exposure and grow our audience, even to develop an international following.”

The reinvented festival, FynArts Select 2020, offered 34 online events, ranging from talks and performances to food demos. People from all over the world signed up and although there was no charge, many made donations. Between June and September, 44 FynArts Select newsletters were sent out and over 1 000 new subscribers joined.

Mary was also pleased to announce that Gerrie Heyneke, creative maverick of Hermanuspietersfontein, had come on board to revamp the FynArts brand, including a brand-new logo. Gerrie introduced himself as someone with a passion for branding and for Hermanus, quoting Simon Sinek: “People don’t buy what you do, they buy why you do it.” And the why of FynArts, the very reason it exists, is simply for the love of art, he said.

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