Among the many arts festivals in Vancouver, Myriam Steinberg’s In the House stands out because it is the only one that relies on volunteers to open up their homes and welcome complete strangers.
Steinberg’s eight-year-old festival runs June 3 through 5, has a budget of about $80,000, including in-kind donations, and will include 19 shows in 12 homes.
It had a similar size last year when it expanded to three days for the first time.
“The shows host music, dance, theatre, storytelling, spoken word, circus and cabaret – basically if it can be performed, we do it,” Steinberg said.
“For the shows in living rooms, we can host anywhere from 45 to 65 people. Our biggest backyard fits 130 people.”
Steinberg anticipates generating about $13,500 from ticket sales ($13 for adult, $8 for kids). Last year, the festival generated about $10,000 in ticket revenue.
More ticket revenue will come in handy, given that government funding for her festival has been chopped to $15,500 this year from $26,000 last year.
Memberships, merchandise and fundraising from supporters will help the festival break even. So will the donations of things such as public address equipment, food and, of course, venues.
“We’re different,” Steinberg told Business in Vancouver May 13. “To have a festival where it is all in people’s homes, I haven’t seen that anywhere.”
Glen Korstrom
Twitter: @Glenkorstrom