Your festival belongs 

Running a festival is incredibly rewarding, but there’s no denial it’s challenging work. And if you’re leading one as someone from an underrepresented background, you’re often doing it without the networks, shortcuts and institutional support that others take for granted. BAFA’s peer learning programme aims to change that.

What it actually is

A community of UK arts festival leaders — sharing knowledge, practical resources, and honest conversations about what it takes to run a festival well. We’re actively building a more representative membership, because the sector’s collective knowledge gets better when more voices are in the room.

We want to design the programme with you and make sure that session themes are as practical, useful and nurturing as possible. The programme is reliant on being willing and able to share your experiences and being active in asking questions. So please tell us what matters to you.

The programme will run as a short series of online sessions (approx 4) running through May-July 2026. Themes are up for discussion, but the group should feature case studies, conversation, collaboration, and action planning. We could talk about festival budgets, fair recruitment, representation in curation, how to work with different communities, policies, logistics, or something else entirely. There will be no homework (unless you want it)! Everyone is busy enough. 

What you get as a member

Access to a year-round events programme — regional forums, topic-specific seminars, the annual BAFA Conference, and ‘A Festival Career’ for students and emerging professionals — all at member rates. Your festival gets a dedicated profile on the BAFA website and is included in twice-yearly press releases to national and specialist media. Through BAFA’s role as the UK hub for the EFFE programme (Europe for Festivals, Festivals for Europe), you’re also connected to a wider international network.

On the practical side: 20% off festival insurance with Graham Sykes, discounted audience insight tools via The Audience Agency, concessionary training with Arts Fundraising and Philanthropy, charity-rate booking fees through TicketSource, and a private medical plan offer through HMCA. Check out the full membership benefits here. https://www.artsfestivals.co.uk/joinus/ 

Why it matters

BAFA’s Festivals Mean Business research programme collects data across the UK sector to represent festivals to government, funders and stakeholders. We know that ours is “a resilient sector often working under the radar in towns and cities across the UK” (Festivals Mean Business Report) and that arts festivals create some of the most meaningful and impactful experiences for audiences. 

The more representative our membership, the stronger that case becomes — for everyone.

This is a peer community, not a membership club.

If you’re interested in joining, sign up here.