Nick Dodds Managing Director

Overview ofUK Arts Festivals

UK Arts Festivals

Edinburgh Festival

BBC Proms 2008

The world's first international festival of original, new work

Greenwich and Docklands Festival

UK Pop Festivals

Latitude Festival, England

An explosion of Festivals in the UK

Why have arts & cultural festivals

become so popular?

Audiences like them because; • The concentrated activity generates excitement and a sense of

celebration• They tend to be short – mostly a weekend or one, two or three

weeks long• They present work that you can’t see the rest of the year –

new/adventurous • They give the opportunity to cross between artforms you don’t

normally attend • They follow themes of exploration and depth that specialists like• They present in unusual spaces and on the streets

Audiences Love Festivals

Cities like them because;• Often animate the streets and show off the city at its best• Enrich the lives of and entertain their residents • The educate residents and visitors - BAFA members 1900

education events• Attract young people – BAFA 63% of education events aimed at

the young• The assist with community cohesion and develop a sense of pride• Raise the profile of the city nationally and internationally• Attract high spending visitors and cultural tourists• Generate positive economic impacts.

Artists like them because;• The present a lot of work – BAFA members 10,000 events

4,000 exhibition days• They often give the opportunity to experiment – BAFA

members 1,750 premiers• They commission new work – BAFA members 200 pieces in

2007• They engage artists –BAFA members 50,000 opportunities • They give artists the opportunity to see international work –

artform development

The Festival Economy

Festival income sources (BAFA only)

Arts Councils12.0%

National Lottery0.9%

County Council or Unitary Authority

13.1%

Borough or District Council2.2%

European0.0%

Other contributed income2.9%

Individuals2.8%

Businesses12.2%

Trusts and foundations11.3%

Ticket sales33.6%

Additional sales (eg. bar, food, programmes)

3.7%

Advertising2.1%

Membership fees1.2%

Interest on invested funds0.5%

Other earned income1.5%

UK Festivals are Flourishing