BB
As for artists I am sure there are some who would do it just to be showcased and would settle for expenses, although there are issues with people trying to make a living and the council "getting summat for nowt", it might be explored.
As to getting more "folkies" in to Scarborough there isn't any suitable camping for miles, I did think about the car park on the hill above the North Bay but the security issues make it a non starter. There are campsites but they are three to four miles out of town. Having said that there can be some cheap deals in guest houses and it might be possible to sign a few up and have "allocation on arrival". That would require a degree of organisation and the whole Festival jacked up a level. I can make enquiries and see if there is any interest from the local hoteliers.

Peter