Savannah Music Festival

The Savannah Music Festival (SMF) is a nonprofit performing arts organization established in 1989. It hosts Georgia’s largest musical arts event, a 17-day springtime festival featuring up to 100 productions and attracting 500 of the world’s finest musical artists annually. The festival covers a broad range of genres, including country, folk, jazz, and chamber music. Approximately 42 percent of the audience consists of out-of-town patrons. The SMF has received media coverage from prominent outlets such as The Times, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal. The organization employs twelve full-time staff members and expands its workforce with 127 contracted workers and 198 volunteers during the festival. SMF’s annual budget is 3.8 million, generating 1.5 million from ticket sales and raising 2.3 million annually to sustain its programs. The festival also contributes 1 million in tax revenues each year. Educational initiatives include the Musical Explorers program and the SMF Jazz Academy, providing music education and mentorship to young students.