BAFA News

• Jun 12, 2026

From 18 November 2025, identity verification becomes a legal requirement. This date is not a deadline. It marks the...

• Jun 5, 2026

Arts Council England’s Strategic Framework 2026 replaces their previous strategy, Let’s Create. This will impact many BAFA members, and...

• Jun 4, 2026

Counter Terrorism Policing is bringing back its long-running Summer campaign to encourage the public to stay alert, trust their instincts and...

• Jun 1, 2026

The WGGB and the Society of Authors (SoA) have joined together to issue urgent new guidance outlining measures writers...

• Jun 1, 2026

We’re pleased to say that Arts Council of Wales is launching a festivals fund from 13 April, following its...

• Jun 1, 2026

John Good Limited is a familiar name to BAFA members, and we’re delighted to share they have been certified...

• Jun 1, 2026

BAFA has signed a letter of support for Clare Mackay and Ed Little’s work through UWE on festival attendees...

• May 27, 2026

RSL Hawthornden Literature Matters grants are open for application until 8 July 2026 The Hawthornden Literature Matters Grants support individuals...

• May 26, 2026

We have received the following invitation to BAFA members from the UKCMA and the SIA: Martyn’s Law: Prepared Not...

• May 26, 2026

DCMS has published its methodology for place targeting, working with Arts Council England to agree a list of Culture...

• May 21, 2026

Sally-Ann Washtell-Blaise This blog was originally posted on the Association of Independent Festivals’ website, and is shared with permission....

• May 11, 2026

One more reason to become a member: BAFA training sessions with TONIC, our training partners, working towards more inclusive festival...

• May 11, 2026

Your festival belongs  Running a festival is incredibly rewarding, but there’s no denial it’s challenging work. And if you’re...

• Nov 10, 2025

BAFA has forged an alliance with The Association of Independent Festivals (AIF) that will see the two trade bodies...

• Nov 4, 2025

We’re hiring two experienced arts freelancers for roles working on our ACE-funded Resilient Festivals project. RISE Network Lead We’re...

• Oct 6, 2025

We’re delighted to announce that our 2026 conference is titled Resilient Festivals, and that tickets are available now. Venue: STEAMhouse, Birmingham...

• Mar 12, 2025

BAFA is heading to The London Book Fair! Our Director, Fiona Goh, will be part of a panel discussion...

• Feb 27, 2025

Nine of the UK’s leading book festivals are delighted to announce an exciting new collaboration as they join together...

• Nov 18, 2024

Britain’s arts festivals have become an integral part of the nation’s arts ecology and a cultural backbone for communities...

• Oct 29, 2024

We’re delighted to introduce our long-time partner Graham Sykes Insurance as the headline sponsor for this year’s BAFA conference!...

• Oct 28, 2024

At BAFA, we’re delighted to launch a new look website and refreshed brand that will propel BAFA into a...

• Sep 27, 2024

BAFA is delighted to be recruiting new members to our Board of Trustees. The British Arts Festivals Association (BAFA) was founded...

• Sep 13, 2024

We’re delighted to announce that tickets for the annual BAFA Conference for Festivals are now on sale. This year’s...