An Appraisal of the 2024 AKSUFEST Administrative Thrusts in Performing Arts: Contingency Planning and Crisis Management in Perspective

The use of festivals to link the past, set plan for the future and celebrate the presence has made it a global practice for cultural promotion; and it allows for all manners and attitudes display by people to be discharged. A prominent festival called AkwaIbom State Festival of Arts (AKSUFEST) has gradually developed in AkwaIbom State University in the Department of Performing Arts. Being a new festival, much of the managerial features to safeguard its processes have not been put in place. This study is an appraisal of contingency planning and crisis management deployment in the AKSUFEST of 2024. The methodology is participant observation presented in qualitative method, and it was based on David McClelland’s Needs Theory of Motivation. Findings show that AKSUFEST does not have a standby committee to execute its processes as it occurs annually. The festival is handled in the Performing Arts Department and it occurs in the academic session which requires students and staff involvement. Findings further show that factors such as committee formation, adequate publicity, diversification of ticketing format, identify reclassification, hospitality and security were put up as contingency planning. Crisis management was identifiable in rehearsal schedules, box office/ticketing control technique, performances schedule, and event schedule. The study concludes that it is a well-managed event that becomes a process in the society and that AKSUFEST should be encouraged to evolve to Akwa Ibom State Carnival.