Abstract
Events and festivals are hosted with the expectation that they hold many benefits for the host communities. These benefits include employment, income generation, and increasing tourist numbers, thereby improving the quality of life of the host community. However, little is known about the socio-economic impact of arts festivals, especially in the South African context. Hence, the purpose of this article was to determine the socio-economic impact of the Klein Karoo National Arts Festival (KKNK) on the community of Oudtshoorn. This festival is the largest arts festival, both in terms of visitor numbers as well as income generation, in South Africa. In order to achieve the goal of the research, three surveys were conducted: firstly, a community survey; secondly, a business survey; and, finally, a visitor survey. The results indicate that the KKNK contributes significantly to the economy and community of Oudtshoorn. From a social point of view, however, the respondents indicated that the festival benefits the community more than the individual. To increase the positive socio-economic outcomes of the KKNK, the festival organisers have to focus on greater participation by, and communication with, all stakeholders, especially the local community.
Highlights
The Klein Karoo National Arts Festival is an annual arts festival held over eight days during the March/April school holiday in Oudtshoorn, South Africa (Cruywagen, 2002:190)
In order to achieve the purpose of this research, three surveys were conducted. (This is a procedure recommended by Edwards (2000) for socio-economic impact studies)
The aim of this article was to demonstrate the socio-economic impact of the KKNK on Oudtshoorn
Summary
The Klein Karoo National Arts Festival (abbreviated as KKNK) is an annual arts festival held over eight days during the March/April school holiday in Oudtshoorn, South Africa (Cruywagen, 2002:190). When the concept for this festival was conceived, two main purposes were identified: to create an event where Afrikaans-speaking people of all races could enjoy the culture and languages of post-apartheid South Africa, and, secondly, to attract money and tourists to Oudtshoorn (see the map in FIGURE 1) so as to create an economic boost to the community (Kitshoff, 2004b:237). The latter provides the rationale for this research. The festival includes visual and performing arts such as cabaret, music theatre, classical music, jazz and popular music, bringing more than 250 productions to stage and including more than 1000 artists (Slabbert, Saayman, Saayman & Viviers, 2007:7; Oudtshoorn Municipality, 2005/2006:10).
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