Key data on the UK arts festivals sector from BOP Consulting (published November 2024), commissioned by BAFA with support from Arts Council England, Arts Council of Wales and Creative Scotland
BAFA’s latest research project is Festivals Mean Business 4, in which we commissioned BOP Consulting, with support from Arts Council England, Arts Council of Wales and Creative Scotland, to gather robust data from festivals across the UK on their 2023 festivals. The results of the survey have now been published and you can read the Festivals Forward report here. This research enables us to understand the current challenges and opportunities for the sector and support arts festivals as they navigate future changes. BAFA’s summary of the key findings and relevant case studies is available here.
This is the fourth iteration of Festivals Mean Business, and we believe that the data gathered will provide a long-term impact on the arts festivals industry. We want to understand not only how many people engage with arts festivals across the UK, but the role these festivals play in creating more connected, sustainable and resilient communities.
The research was conducted by BOP Consulting, the UK’s leading cultural research consultancy, and is supported by Arts Council England, Arts Council of Wales and Creative Scotland. In total responses were received from 92 festival organisations, representing a total of 101 arts festivals across the UK.
Read our FAQs for more information about the project and who was eligible to take part.
In commissioning BOP Consulting to tell the story of the UK’s arts festivals through detailed research, we are standing on the shoulders of three previous national research studies in our Festivals Mean Business series of reports.
The last commissioned study was undertaken in 2008 and much has changed for our sector in the last 16 years. We reflect on a sector that is ‘surviving rather than thriving’, with some of the festivals that featured in previous studies no longer operating, offering a reminder of the precarity and complexity inherent in the festivals landscape. This is a sector that is still responding to the long-term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the ongoing cost of living crisis that continues to threaten the financial viability of festivals.
But we also have much to celebrate, including the inception and growth of many new events of all sizes and artforms, and this study includes data from a number of festivals who have been launched since the last report.
BOP’s report underlines the symbiotic relationship between festivals and place, and has painted a picture of a resilient sector often working under the radar in towns and cities across the UK.
Some of the key findings include:
We’ll be using this report to call for recognition of the unique contribution of arts festivals, supporting our members to go beyond survival and to thrive in a challenging climate. BAFA is asking for a review of arts festivals’ funding that will allow more organisations the ability to break out of the annual funding cycle, enabling more stability, ambition and sustainability in this key sector.
Darllenwch adroddiad Gwyliau Tua’r Dyfodol yn Gymraeg yma
Read the Scottish Festivals summary report
Watch a BSL version of the launch presentation from the BAFA Annual Conference 2024
Read BAFA’s summary of the key findings and member case studies
Read more about some of the fantastic work our members are doing in their communities in these case studies featuring a range of outreach and education projects, and approaches to commissioning artists.
Being a member of BAFA offers access to the UK’s leading arts festivals, and an invaluable opportunity to build a strong network of professional contacts across the breadth of the festivals sector.
Our members range from volunteer-run organisations to large, well-established festivals, and we also have special memberships available for universities and associate members.
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