The essence of a festival is congregation

My Light Shines on laser beams
09 Jun 2021

With artists no longer able to travel freely across Europe post-Brexit, and with no sign of the Covid pandemic abating, Francesca Hegyi explores the challenges of trying to stage an international festival in the UK.

Bringing Manchester back to life

People sitting in tables outside in Manchester
09 Jun 2021

With the re-opening of outdoor festivals around the UK, John McGrath shares his thoughts on creating a responsible and safe festival that both responds to Covid limitations and offers a true artistic and community experience.

Countering the narratives

MFest logo
09 Jun 2021

Muslim communities are regularly assailed by poor generalisations and by impoverished stories written by ‘someone else’, which are not just mediocre but harmful, writes Raheel Mohammed.

Coventry 2021: the city where movement began, moves again 

A group of young people dancing outside
09 Jun 2021

The festival season may look a bit different this year, but Coventry’s year as UK City of Culture is underway. Jake Bartle and Emily Coleman talk us through the summer programme of fun, creative events and exhibitions.

 

'Red alert': One quarter of festivals cancelled

07 May 2021

The first wave of festival cancellations is the canary in the coal mine as Culture Minister Caroline Dinenage says insurance is "still on the table".

Outdoor arts bring creativity to communities

Dancer pictured mid flight
04 May 2021

Hannah Hartley says the outdoor arts industry’s long-held resilience and versatility has given them the tools to overcome nearly anything, just when it’s needed the most. 

'Market failure' in events insurance must be addressed, sector says

15 Apr 2021

If the Government is confident in getting events back by June 21, it shouldn't hesitate to extend insurance beyond its pilot programme. 

Festival UK 2022 rejects critics' claims of nationalism

01 Apr 2021

Critics call Festival UK 2022 "nationalistic imperialism" and "a showcase for the Government". The creatives involved say that couldn't be further from the truth.

No insurance scheme while events remain uncertain

26 Mar 2021

DCMS Minister Caroline Dinenage says the much-vaunted measure runs the risk of giving false confidence to festivals: "I just wouldn't be prepared to do that."

Ten teams selected for Festival 2022

Rama and Sita lit up in fireworks
26 Mar 2021

Following a £3m research and development phase, diverse teams of artists, scientists and engineers will receive £10m each to bring their "showstopping" ideas to life.

Does Festival UK*2022 offer a blueprint for arts commissioning?

Screenshot from Festival UK* 2022 promotional video
24 Mar 2021

Writer-in-residence Francesca Millican-Slater reflects on the Festival's intensive R&D period - an experiment, she believes, in how tendering could be developed.  

Coventry 2021 will be 'a return to live'

02 Mar 2021

The UK City of Culture year will press ahead with a full calendar of festivals and events from May 15 - two days before the Government's 'no earlier than' date for live shows.

Emergency funding lifelines for Northern Irish and Scottish arts

16 Feb 2021

Northern Irish organisations' coronavirus deficits will be eliminated by new grants as Scotland offers new support for events and freelancers.

Crisis made us more relevant

Parent and child reading from a large book, severval feet tall, light up at night, about William Shakespeare
12 Jan 2021

When decisions about programming are made in hours rather than months, organisations hone in on their core purpose. Festivals will move ahead again by reinvigorating the relationship between artists and audiences, says Sharon Canavar.

Distribute your leadership digitally

Line drawing of a man with a brown colour spectrum behind the head
12 Jan 2021

Long-distance relationships needn’t limit ambition. Sarah Fisher, Ying Kwok and Lindsay Taylor describe a sustainable approach to sharing the physical and digital demands of curation.

Insurance scheme needed now to save 2021 festivals

07 Jan 2021

A £650m Government-backed insurance scheme could salvage £2bn worth of activity, the sector argues.

2023 Borough of Culture to go ahead despite council's financial woes

19 Nov 2020

Croydon is still developing the cultural showcase despite an order against non-essential spending, a review over alleged financial mismanagement, and a £67m deficit.

Beyond Brexit: Festival UK* 2022

Silhouette of a person in front of a neon pink light display
29 Oct 2020

Festival UK* 2022 is not a ‘celebration of Brexit’ but a celebration of the place we call home, argues Sam Hunt.

Festivals are 'in danger of becoming invisible'

21 Oct 2020

Major festivals call for a Government-backed insurance scheme as events receive millions in emergency funding.

Censorship of funded artwork 'protected our reputation', council says

30 Sep 2020

A local authority under fire for censoring a politically-minded piece says it usually stays out of programming decisions - unless the programme conflicts with the views of its councillors.

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