As the third annual LOOK3 festival prepares for its June 11 opening in Charlottesville, Virginia, organizers say they plan to take 2010 off to rest and regroup.
Andrew Owen, LOOK3 operations manager, confirms that no festival is planned for 2010.
LOOK3 founder Nick Nichols recently told The Daily Progress newspaper in Charlottesville that the festival will take a hiatus every three years, indicating that the festival will return in 2011. Nichols said he wants to give volunteers a break and allow visitors to replenish their travel budgets.
The news comes as thousands of photo fans are set to stream into Charlottesville this weekend for an impressive lineup of photographers presenting their work, including headliners Giles Peress, Martin Parr and Sylvia Plachy.
Finding sustainable funding played a role in the decision, Owens said. LOOK3 charges for admission but gets the bulk of its funding from sponsors, including major partners Apple, National Geographic Magazine, Canon and Virginia National Bank. Adobe signed on as a sponsor for the first time this year. (PDN is a media sponsor.)
The slow economy has prompted many companies and individuals to reduce their travel budgets this year.
Earlier this year, the Microsoft Pro Photo Summit canceled its annual event partly due to concerns about travel spending.
Nichols, an editor-at-large for National Geographic magazine, often describes the LOOK3 festival as a democratic event meant to welcome everyone who appreciates photography. The festival grew out of summertime photo projections Nichols used to host at his home near Charlottesville.
Related story from PDN's June issue:
Q&A With LOOK3 Curator Maryanne Golon
