British Arts Festivals Association

19/03/2026

Being a member of the British Arts Festival Association offers an invaluable opportunity to build a strong network of professional contacts across the breadth of the festivals sector.

We work for and in the sector to offer:
- Networking and Professional Development
- Profile Raising and Resource Sharing
- Advocacy
- Members' Discounts

Rates for Festival membership start at just £100 and are based on annual turnover.
You can also join us as a University, Sole Trader, or Corporate member.

Please contact us at [email protected] for more information about how your organisation can benefit from being part of BAFA, or visit: https://www.artsfestivals.co.uk/joinus/

10/03/2026

Live at the Scottish Festivals Forum, a thoughtful panel discussion, “Reasons to be Cheerful?”, chaired by Professor Jane Ali-Knight (Edinburgh Napier University).

Looking ahead to the year to come, panellists Belinda McElhinney (Imaginate, Edinburgh International Children's Festival), Jackie Shuttleworth (Fringe by the Sea) and James Waters (The Lammermuir Festival) are reflecting on the opportunities for festivals, from building new connections to responding creatively to the challenges facing the sector.

A fitting way to end a day of open conversations.

10/03/2026

This afternoon at the Scottish Festivals Forum, our second set of lightning talks focused on important developments.

Jonathan Brown (STAR) and Tony Davey (RED61 Ticketing) explored pricing transparency and the implications of the DMCCA, while Ben Twist (CCScotland) spoke about environmental sustainability and the role festivals can play in responding to the climate challenge.

Delegates then continued the conversation in roundtable discussions on environmental sustainability, ticketing, and festivals and activism.

10/03/2026

This morning at the Scottish Festivals Forum, we kicked off with a fantastic series of lightning talks exploring some of the key issues facing festivals today.

We heard from Katherine Planas (Edinburgh International Festival) on festival fundraising in 2026, Tony Lankester (Edinburgh Festival Fringe) on the implications of the visitor levy for festivals, and Louise MacArthur (Festival Samaritans) on mental health in the festivals sector.

The conversations continued in roundtable discussions, where delegates shared experiences and ideas.

10/03/2026

We’re at the Scottish Festivals Forum today in the Edinburgh Futures Institute!

Festival professionals from across Scotland have come together for a day of conversations, knowledge sharing and networking, exploring the opportunities and challenges facing festivals today.

Great to be joined by John Rostron, CEO of the Association of Independent Festivals (AIF), as our partnership continues to grow, helping strengthen connections across the UK festivals sector.

Looking forward to a day of inspiring discussions and new ideas.

27/02/2026

What’s next for Scotland’s festivals?

Join us at the Scottish Festivals Forum on Tuesday, 10 March at Edinburgh Futures Institute for a focused day of discussion and practical insight for festival professionals.

Among the topics we’ll explore:
• Fundraising and sector resilience
• Pricing transparency and the Digital Markets Competition and Consumer Act
• Environmental sustainability

Plus a closing panel discussion: Reasons to be Cheerful – looking ahead to the opportunities for 2026 and beyond.

Secure your place:
https://www.artsfestivals.co.uk/scottish-festivals-forum/

Scottish Festivals Forum Tuesday 10 March 2026 , 10am – 4pm Edinburgh Futures Institute   📆 Tuesday 10 March 📍 Edinburgh Futures Institute 🕙 10am – 4pm (registration from 9.30am; drinks reception 4pm – 5pm) 🎟 £12 members | £20 non-members Join fellow festival and events professi...

23/02/2026

We were delighted to attend the Association of Independent Festivals’ Festival Congress 2026.

It was a real pleasure to hear John Rostron speak about the growing partnership between AIF and BAFA, a collaboration that will allow us to go further by travelling together.

By aligning our efforts, we can amplify our impact and strengthen the support we provide to our members and to the wider festivals sector across the UK.

We’re excited about where this relationship can take us in 2026 and beyond.

20/01/2026

That’s a wrap on two inspiring days at BAFA Conference 2026: Resilient Festivals!
Thanks to all speakers, delegates and partners for bringing energy, ideas and connection.
See you next year.

20/01/2026

How much festivals can achieve for people and places!
From turning stories into evidence with Steve Millington (Manchester Metropolitan University), to the National Year of Reading with Jack Phillips from the National Literacy Trust, and reflections on Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture with Jenny Harris (Bradford 2025) and Helen Heslop from BBC Proms and Radio 3.

20/01/2026

Festival identity is continuous discovery!

Festival Evolutions panel discussing how festivals grow and adapt in changing times.
Chair: Naomi Taylor. Panelists: Kate Self from Supersonic Festival, Sharon Canavar from Harrogate International Festivals and Stewart Collins from Petworth Festival

20/01/2026

Day 2 at the BAFA Conference 2026.
Talks in progress, covering everything from income generation, safe & inclusive workspaces to ticketing trends.

Thanks to our speakers:
Tara Patterson
Sarah Gee from Spitalfields Music
Sophie Moxon from Edinburgh International Book Festival
Rick Stainton from The Power of Events
Niyi Akeju from Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority
Jonathan Brown from STAR