Nic Fest Postponed Until 2022

The Nicolaysen Art Museum has announced that Nic Fest, an annual celebration of all things art, is cancelled this year.

According to a press release put out by the museum, Nic Fest is being postponed until 2022. This is due to the impact of COVID-19 and the risks associated with it.

The 2020 Nic Fest was cancelled as well last year and that, as well as the cancellation of other events, exhibition openings, and a reduction of programing, have caused the museum to incur a financial loss of over $200,000.

Attendance at The Nic has decreased nearly 70% since 2019. All of these factors and more have caused Andy Couch, the Executive Director of the Nicolaysen Art Museum, to refocus and to develop a new strategy about The Nic going forward.

Nic Fest may be cancelled this year, but it will be back. In the meantime, Couch said The Nic will continue to host a variety of events, both virtually and in person.

"Our goal is to build an online platform to reach the public and connect with new audiences virtually. During this difficult time, we plan to create smaller, more intimate events with relevant partnerships that are in the best interest of the sustainability of the museum and the safety of our community," Couch said.

Those events will, of course, feature the art of both local and world-renowned artists.

Over Valentine's Day weekend, The Nic opened an exhibit called The Delightful World of Dali: Prints from the Permanent Collection. This gallery features Dali's works in the permanent collection at The Nic, and it will be open until May 14th. The Nic will also host local artists, such as Clint Saunders, Barbara Rogers, Isaiah Findley, and Dick Termes.

"The Nic Board of Directors and staff will continue to work together to reinvent our annual event for next year, said Michael Bond, Chairman, Nicolaysen Art Museum.  "The Nicolaysen Art Museum remains the cultural hub of Wyoming, and we look forward to the continued support of our sponsors and public."

The full press release can be read below.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 25^th, 2021

PRESS RELEASE | NIC Fest Postponed Until 2022

CASPER, Wyo.– This year, the Nicolaysen Art Museum has decided to cancel Casper's beloved art festival, NIC Fest. Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Nic has faced significant challenges. The attendance at the Nicolaysen Art Museum has decreased nearly 70% since 2019. In addition to the cancelation of events, exhibition openings, and a reduction of programming, the museum has had a financial loss of over $200,000.

"Our goal is to build an online platform to reach the public and connect with new audiences virtually. During this difficult time, we plan to create smaller, more intimate events with relevant partnerships that are in the best interest of the sustainability of the museum and the safety of our community." Andy Couch, Executive Director, Nicolaysen Art Museum.

Through the support of Covid-relief funding, grants, individual donors, and sponsorships, the museum has continued programs and exhibitions through the pandemic. For the first time in Casper, WY, the museum is celebrating Salvador Dali's artwork with an exciting new exhibition. Over Valentine's Day weekend, the museum opened, The Delightful World of Dali: Prints from the Permanent Collection; this exhibition spotlights Dali's works in the permanent collection at the Nic and will be open until May 14th. Solo exhibitions by Clint Saunders, Barbara Rogers, Isaiah Findley, and Dick Termes are also on view this spring.

"The Nic Board of Directors and staff will continue to work together to reinvent our annual event for next year. The Nicolaysen Art Museum remains the cultural hub of Wyoming, and we look forward to the continued support of our sponsors and public." Michael Bond, Chairman, Nicolaysen Art Museum.

Please consider donating to help support the Nicolaysen Art Museum to continue its mission and vision; visit thenic.org/donate. For more details about the museum and its programs, visit the Nic's website (thenic.org), Facebook page (facebook.com/nicartmuseum), or follow @nicartmuseum on Instagram."