A message from the FeMN Fest Organizers
It is with heavy hearts that we share the difficult decision to cancel this year's FeMN Fest.
As ticket sales remained significantly below what we had hoped for the event, we were faced with a challenging reality. While we deeply value the opportunity to create spaces that uplift underrepresented voices and foster the inspiring sense of community that FeMN Fest represents, we ultimately could not move forward in a way that felt true to our values and our commitment to the artists, presenters, and supporters who make this event possible.
Some of you may have noticed that we recently reduced ticket prices in an effort to make the festival more accessible. We recognized that cost can be a barrier for many who would otherwise be eager to attend and support this work. At the same time, we were actively pursuing additional funding opportunities and exploring every avenue we could find to make the festival financially viable.
The difficult truth is that we likely could have scraped by and reached a break-even point. However, as we continued to evaluate the situation, we realized that financial viability alone wasn't enough. The artists, presenters, and performers who committed to FeMN Fest deserve more than simply a stage. They deserve an enthusiastic and engaged audience that reflects the energy and talent they bring to their work.
In the end, we could not shake the feeling that moving forward without the level of community participation that this event, and its participants, deserved would be a disservice to everyone involved. Ensuring that artists are respected, valued, and properly supported had to take precedence over simply making the numbers work on paper.
This decision was not made lightly. We know it means the loss of an opportunity to share voices, build connections, and create the kind of community that FeMN Fest was designed to foster. We also know this announcement comes later than anyone would have liked, and for that we are sincerely sorry.
We also want to acknowledge a reality facing many live events today: the way people show up for music, arts, and community gatherings has changed. That is not a reflection of the incredible talent of the artists involved, nor of the importance of supporting local and independent creators. Rather, it reflects the challenges many people are navigating right now. The world feels heavy for a lot of folks, and financial pressures, competing priorities, and limited time often affect how and when people can participate in the things they care about.
Because of that, we honestly don't know what the future holds for FeMN Fest. We don't know if the festival will return in its current form, evolve into something new, or remain a cherished chapter in our community's story. What we do know is that we remain deeply committed to the values that inspired it: amplifying underrepresented voices, creating spaces of belonging, and building meaningful community through music, art, and conversation.
To everyone who has supported FeMN Fest over the years, thank you. Thank you for believing in the mission, for supporting artists, and for helping create something special. While this year's festival won't take place, the spirit behind it remains very much alive.
We also want to give a special message of love to our fiscal sponsor, YWCA Duluth, and our other community partners who saw the need for a festival that celebrates unrepresented voices.
And if FeMN Fest has meant something to you and you'd like a tangible reminder of that spirit, we still have some pretty great festival merchandise available. Every purchase helps offset costs associated with the event and serves as a celebration of the community that made FeMN Fest possible.
With deep gratitude and respect,
The FeMN Fest Team
