"Can you come along and play for free?" - it's a refrain musicians hear all too often, according to the organiser of Northland's largest arts and craft market.
Professionally produced paid gigs will join the creative array at Whangarei's Artisans Fair Markets, which kick off on Labour Weekend.
Organiser Kaari Schlebach is organising a $9000 crowd-funding campaign to fund 36 live gigs - two at each of the 18 Saturday markets throughout summer. "I think we often take for granted the effort and training that artists undergo to get to the stage where they can perform in public," she said.
"It's always, 'can you please come along for free?' We're really determined to change that culture within our community."
Ms Schlebach was working with Channel North and had filmed a campaign video at Sunday's Town Basin picnic. This would be used to publicise an online fundraising effort.
