Featured Image: Association of Independent Festivals – Artwork by Martin Carr
The Association of Independent Festivals (AIF) is set to launch a bespoke, free business support programme for multi-venue festivals thanks to funding by Arts Council England.
Launching next month, the programme will be open to multi-venue festivals operating in England. AIF has identified more than 70 events in 2024 that fall into this category, serving a range of audiences.
The targeted music events, which are often grassroots, face unique challenges including the use of shared spaces with private and public ownership, reduced ancillary revenue opportunities and the rising organisation costs which are hitting the entirety of the festival sector in the UK.
“I’m delighted that, with the support of Arts Council England, we can offer free direct support to festivals outside of our membership though this bespoke six month programme,” said AIF chief executive John Rostron.
“We have never been able to do this before, and it’s thrilling that festivals of all sizes will be able to come together to meet, share and learn, connecting with festival professionals across legal, licensing, revenue generation, funding, sponsorship, and so much more.
“Multi-venue music festivals are particularly important to me, as they are where I cut my teeth as a music promoter. Working with the built environment, they so often bring a town or city to life – acting as a catalyst for a music scene, or celebrating a particular place, genre or music ecology. Working in existing venues, or creating new spaces in and around the area, they regularly change shape as the area develops or as their audience grows or moves, which can be as exciting as it is challenging.”
Over the next six months, the project will offer free custom online training and support alongside access to a dedicated in-person programme at AIF’s Festival Congress in Bristol in February next year. The programme will further help to create a new network with fresh resources to deliver resilient multi-venue festivals.
Additionally, the not-for-profit trade organisation will provide custom business support and industry skills development through online, expert-led webinars, peer-to-peer roundtables, as well as training in key areas of pressure or opportunity.
Topics covered will include: preparing for The Protection of Premises Bill (aka Martyn’s Law); managing multi-venue PRS licensing; identifying accommodation and travel partnership revenue opportunities; environmental and accessibility event challenges; and an introduction to funding opportunities for promoters, artists and industry professionals.
There will also be responsive, bespoke training to meet the particular requirements of multi-venue festival promoters, and each festival will be allocated a small fund for one-on-one legal, financial or licensing health checks or advice as required for their own challenges or needs.
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