Yellowknife’s Folk on the Rocks music festival needs a new executive director with six months remaining until the 2016 edition takes place.
David Whitelock, who assumed the role in the spring of 2014, has left after overseeing two instalments of the festival – both of which posted heavy losses.
Folk on the Rocks lost more than $100,000 in 2014 and over $50,000 a year later.
The festival’s board has not given an explanation for Whitelock’s departure, which was announced on Folk on the Rocks’ website on December 29.
Whitelock told the CBC a full statement would be made available “in due course”.
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In a statement of its own, the Folk on the Rocks board said: “The board would like to thank David for his hard work and dedication to continuing the tradition of Folk on the Rocks as one of Canada’s premiere outdoor music festivals and we wish him well in his future endeavours.
“The board will work with a yet-to-be determined candidate in the interim to keep Folk on the Rocks on track. We appreciate the patience of our partners and funders during this challenging transition period.”
The 2016 event, set for July 15-17, will be the 36th instalment of Folk on the Rocks.
