Good Times, Bad Times

If anything gives you a snapshot of how the economy's drastically changed over the last couple of years, and especially the night and day difference between 2000 and 2008, it's this:

The Family Arts Festival – a downtown Tucson tradition for the past eight years – will be suspended for 2009, according to Roberto Bedoya, executive director of the Tucson Pima Arts Council (TPAC), presenter of the popular day-long event.

“Because of the current economic downturn and its impact upon the arts council, it is necessary for us to make the unfortunate decision to suspend this year’s Family Arts Festival,” Bedoya said. “This was a difficult decision to make but one that is necessary in the current reality.”

He added, “However, even in the face of significant financial loses to the arts council, TPAC does plan to continue to offer some free family arts experiences to our citizens by partnering with other organizations that showcase the richness of our arts community. Look for the Family Arts Festival Stage within other events during the year.”

The Family Arts Festival, presented every January since 2000, was Tucson’s largest downtown festival and featured more than 60 performing arts groups on multiple stages spanning from El Presidio Park to the Tucson Convention Center, plus scores of interactive arts and multi-cultural activities and displays for all ages.

For more information, call 520 624-0595.