Appel Farms Arts and Music Festival, June 1, 2013

Delta Rae, Iris DeMent, and Delta Spirit, were a few of the bands performing during the Appel Farms Arts and Music Festival in Elmer, NJ on Saturday, June 1, 2013. (Staff Photo by Jesse Bair/ South Jersey Times)

UPPER PITTSGROVE TWP. — The yearly Appel Farm Arts & Music Festival is in danger of going on hiatus in 2014, with organization leaders pointing to the loses it has sustained over the years as the reason why.



Held since 1989, the festival draws thousands of music fans to Salem County in June for an eclectic array of musicians — including Rufus Wainwright, Don McLean and Roseanne Cash.

The festival, however, has proven to be a financial drain on Appel Farm Arts & Music Center.

"It's very tough for a nonprofit to maintain something where you lose money," said Denise Hayman-Loa, president of the Appel Farm Board of Trustees.

According to Dr. Loren Thomas, executive director, the Appel Farm Arts & Music Festival cost the nonprofit organization $254,000 in 2013, but only realized $199,000 in revenue.

This $55,000 loss, the executive director explained, is making it difficult for the organization to continue its arts camp and community outreach programs.

“Life-changing art — that was the core value that drove Albert Appel to start the camp 60 years ago,” Thomas said referring to of Appel Farm's founder.

“We just need to focus on that mission.”

Many factors go into the festival’s decline — including the rising cost of getting musicians and the level of competition in the surrounding area.

Hayman-Loa expects the board of trustees to make a final decision on the festival during its February meeting.

“We have taken hiatuses before and — if we don’t do the festival this year — it’s only a hiatus,” she said.

Appel Farm looks to focus on programs more in line with its mission statement, according to Thomas, like its arts camp and community outreach.

Their community outreach includes contracts and residencies at area schools — like Pittsgrove Township School District and Vineland Public Charter School — and programs at the Veterans Memorial Home in Vineland.

Appel Farm is also working with area social service agencies to set up an art therapy program.

“Opportunities for art education are just exploding for us,” Thomas said.

Appel Farm was founded in 1960 as a private summer arts camp for children by Albert and the late Clare Appel, both professional musicians and music educators, who believed the arts played a critical role in developing childrens' learning skills.

They converted their 176-acre farm in into a community of students, artists and art educators. Today Appel Far is a multidisciplinary regional arts center that draws artists and students from around the world.

Meanwhile, the festival still has a chance of being held next year.

Appel Farm remains open to any sponsorship to continue the music festival without forcing the organization to operate at a loss.

“If there’s some significant sponsorship that wants to see it happen — we can make it happen,” Thomas said.

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Contact staff writer Don E. Woods at 856-451-1000, ext. 518 or dwoods@southjerseymedia.com