Herefordshire | Archive | 2003 | October | 2
From the archive, first published Thursday 2nd Oct 2003.
Hereford Photography Festival, code-named exposure, runs as much on goodwill and guts than it does funding.
Next year West Midlands Arts funding will increase by 131.7% to £49,401 - a sign of much needed recognition for the longest standing festival of photography in the country, and the only festival of photography sited in a rural location.
The investment stipulates that it is `provided towards the presentation and promotion of social and issue-based photography', with an increase awarded `to strengthen its administrative capacity'.
An £8,000 deficit carried forward from 2002 meant this year's team has had to consolidate its resources.
"It's about quality rather than quantity," says curator Nina Gustavsson.
A host of local sponsorship has come on board and the tenacity of all those involved has saved the day.
What is important is that an impressive collection of international photographers will be showing their work. Financial constraints have not impinged upon content.
Included among the speakers in Saturday's opening seminar are Roger Tooth, head of photography at The Guardian and Nine Francois, whose Animal Series is already causing heads to turn.
Running throughout October, at five venues around Herefordshire, admission to all exhibitions is free. For details call 01432 351964 or check out www.photofest.org
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