Fayetteville arts programs report strong turnout, strained small-event budget and new insurance requirements

Arts staff told the Playbill Arts Council that community arts activations this season have been successful but have exhausted the currently available funding and that certain activities require individual liability coverage.

"The city cannot insure," Joanna Schiambel, arts and culture director, said when council members asked whether the city could purchase insurance for program participants. Staff explained that simple performances where participants bring their own instruments generally do not require additional coverage, but activities that instruct or physically involve participants (for example, dance workshops) create higher liability and typically require event insurance. Staff said many applicants…