"I FEEL like I am responsible for a national treasure — and it would be the worst thing for it to fail on my watch."

When I caught up with Joan Crump, artistic director for Sidmouth's Folk Week, I thought I may be greeted with someone a little on edge, jittery perhaps.

After all, the culmination of 12 months of hard work, in the shape of the annual festival, was just hours away, for which she and the organisers were teetering excitedly on the cusp.

But she was beaming, as artists, who had travelled from near and far to the small seaside town milled around her.

"If we were to stop after this year, there would still be a festival next year," she uttered unequivocally. "There's a will from the folk community in England for this town to have a festival once a year.

"People would turn up to pubs and play, and busk in the street — you couldn't stop them.

"So I need to meet the expectations of all these people, and there's pressure — but it's the best job in the world."

With a CV brimming with performing arts experiences, the 43-year-old American, who moved to the UK 20 years ago, was snapped up by Sidmouth's Folk Week's board of directors ahead of last year's festival.

Her role is one of three full-time positions who head up the organisation of Folk Week.

After completing a degree in arts management at De Montfort University, she went on to teach there. She has also had numerous roles organising events in Leicestershire.

She said as soon as she heard the former artistic director was stepping down, she sent a proposal to the festival's board of directors.

When she was able to reel off name after name — and their respective spellings — of numerous folk acts set to perform this week, I knew she wasn't just a woman with an exceptional memory, but one who was filled with passion for her work.

"During Folk Week in 2008, I had what was like a week-long interview — it was really nerve-racking," she said. "Afterwards I presented to the board my ideas, including what changes I would make.

"I was hired and the board were happy with the festival last year, which saw a substantial leap in revenue, and this looks set to happen again this year.

"Throughout the year I have various other freelance projects on the go, but from Easter onwards, I have no time for anything else but the festival!"

Joan has performing arts, and latterly, folk music, in her blood. Joan studied acting at a conservatoire in her home state of New Jersey, where she was college pals with Hollywood actresses Kristen Davies (Sex and the City) and Calista Flockhart (Ally McBeal).

She then flew over to California to act and stumbled upon a love for folk music, soon becoming part of an Irish American Theatre in Hollywood.

Joan then got her first taste of event organisation putting on a gig with bands on the LA folk scene to raise money for urban black American children.

Now, Joan's role involves her inviting the various artists to perform for more than 700 events at the festival.

She said there are many exciting and extra-special acts to look forward in this year's line-up which takes place at the Ham Marquee, the Bulverton Marquee as well as halls, churches, hotels, pubs — and pretty much any spare street corner.

"I have tried to inject a bit more of the old vibrancy to the Bulverton Marquee — a stand-up concert venue, by booking top bands that appeal to a dynamic crowd," she continued.

"The Ham Marquee is for sit-down concerts, and is for people who really want to listen carefully to the music by top singer-songwriters.

"I'm particularly excited about the gig, In Search of Nick Jones. Nick was one of the most influential folk guitarists in the 1960s folk revival. He is an extraordinary artist and one whose sound hasn't dated at all, his stuff could have been written yesterday.

"I'm also excited about Andy Cutting and Friends. Andy is considered to be one of the best a melodeon players in the world and has played with The Kate Rusby Band, Martin Simpson and June Tabor.

"He's a bit of a linchpin for many musical projects, but not as a soloist. But we decided to invite him to play and ask him to invite some of his favourite musical friends to play with."

Continuing the trend of the last 55 years, festival goers can expect a programme bursting with dancing, with the usual host of morris sides from around Great Britain and international dance acts.

"As it's become more expensive to get groups in from overseas, we've addressed that by looking closer to home," said Joan. "We wouldn't be able to put on the festival if it wasn't for the support of the people here in Devon and the team of around 100 volunteers who give hours of their time for free."

For more information, visit www.sidmouthfolkweek.co.uk

Don't miss Monday's Echo for a full round-up of the weekend's entertainment.