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Volunteers and arts board criticize Red Bank over last‑minute cancellation of Arts Festival
Summary
Public commenters, led by the public art board chair, urged the commission to explain why the Red Bank Arts Festival was canceled one week before vendor applications opened, saying volunteers logged hundreds of hours to plan the event and asking for transparent documentation of the city’s decision.
Tessa Ross, chair of Red Bank’s public art board, told the commission the city canceled the Red Bank Arts Festival on June 3 because of a reported lack of staff capacity and that the decision came without the data or notice volunteers expect.
"To cancel this event one week before vendor applications open is, I believe, a profound disservice to commission‑appointed volunteers, our community and our local economy," Ross said, adding that she personally logged 92 hours on festival planning since January and that the board collectively invested about 200 hours.
Ross said the art board had identified performers, demonstrators and volunteer groups, created marketing and sponsorship packets and even hand‑measured the site in the weeks before the cancellation. She asked the administration to provide documentation showing how the staff‑capacity decision was reached and to engage the art board in a transparent process.
Anthony Prince, a resident who identified himself at the podium, echoed Ross’s concerns and warned that narrowing the city’s approach to the arts could reduce the festival’s mission to support performing artists and drive foot traffic to local businesses. "You get a city with a stage but no performance," Prince said.
No administration representative offered a detailed explanation or data during the citizen‑comment period. City staff and commissioners earlier in the meeting discussed other items — including grant applications, appointments and budget amendments — but did not respond to the specific records request Ross sought during public comment.
Ross and Prince urged the commission to restore communication and collaboration with the public art board if the festival is to return. Commissioners did not schedule a follow‑up on the record at the meeting; the public art board may pursue additional requests for information through staff channels or at a future agenda.
The commission adjourned after a motion and voice vote.
