16/03/2020
Ok, you beautiful creatures, be you artists, audiences, partners, vendors, volunteers or contractors. You keep us laughing, keep us fed, keep the lights on, give us goosebumps in these magical worlds we create. You make our world turn. And now we all find ourselves in unprecedented times. We are all in the grip of uncertainty, vulnerability and fear. We have no solid answers, we're as unsettled as you are, but we know some things for sure:
• Our events will go ahead if they possibly can. We support the artists, freelancers, creatives, vendors, contractors and volunteers that make them happen, and are painfully aware that their futures are on the line. Our door is open for discussion, honesty, support and kindness. Our aim is for everything to go ahead as planned, but if they can't, we will be looking at all and any options to support ourselves and our festival family as best we can.
• If difficult decisions need to be made in the upcoming weeks and months, and our festivals and events can't take place as planned, we will postpone tickets to 2021 or offer refunds if necessary. We are still seeing cancellations as a last resort, and are planning and plotting for all of our events to go ahead as planned. We would ask our wonderful audiences to hold your nerve, to keep buying tickets with the safety net of a secure refund plan in place. Our deeply held hope is that we'll be sitting in the sunshine this summer, looking back on these dark days, but rest assured we are planning for the alternative.
• Wild Rumpus is a force for good, and isn't going anywhere! As a non-profit organisation, we are robust and sustainable enough to weather this storm.
This industry we work in, the arts and festival sectors, is the most creative, innovative, incredible gang to be in. We couldn't feel luckier to be surrounded by the people who will seek out and realise the most imaginative ways to be kind, to gather communities together, to share the love and care that is at the heart of all we do. We don’t have many answers, but in this new world we find ourselves in, rest assured we are seeking out and celebrating the beautiful, the charming, the radical and the bold ways ahead as we navigate these unchartered waters. Biggest of love, and care, and resolve to you all. If you're worried, if you're scared, if you're lonely, we're here.
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