Organisers of the 2021 Emergence Creative Festival have said a decision to cancel this year's event will help to secure the festival's future in coming years.
Emergence Creative Festival was rescheduled to be held in Margaret River from 9 to 11 June 2021, after it was put on hold in 2020 due to the pandemic.
In a statement released on Thursday, The Creative Corner said recent COVID-19 incidents in WA had created "significant flow-on implications and impacts" for the event.
"After taking into consideration all elements involved to deliver the festival in the current and ongoing environment, including the health and safety considerations, potential on-going restrictions and associated financial risks, The Creative Corner Board has made the difficult decision to cancel the event for 2021.
"It was felt the risks involved with proceeding could have crippling implications extending beyond the event itself.
"We understand that any people, including delegates, speakers and partners will be disappointed, as we all are too.
"The Creative Corner Board and the event team at wish to extend their sincere thanks and also apologies to the speakers and delegates who had kindly offered their services and time, to the sponsors and partners who had supported the re-emergence of the festival for this year, to the volunteers who have poured their time and help into the planning, and to everyone who was talking about and planning to attend this year's festival.
"The decision will ensure plans for Emergence will forge ahead when the events and tourism industries have more stability."
A photographic and art exhibition of the past seven years of Emergence Creative, titled 'Resurgence', will be held at Margaret River Heart from 21 May and run until 28 June.
For more info, visit emergencecreative.com
