Young people on the case

Photo of people holding up letters spelling 'Unlock'
14 Apr 2016

Through the Circuit network, 15 to 25 year olds create arts events for other young people. Rachel Escott reveals what they’ve learned about marketing to this under-engaged audience. 

Still invited to the party

Photo of a ceramics workshop
14 Apr 2016

How can you attend a festival if you can’t leave your house? Michael Eades describes a project bringing the festival experience to people with dementia.

Festivals and venues fail disabled music fans, says report

Photo of an audience at a concert
04 Mar 2016

A continuing lack of detailed online access information is stopping deaf and disabled music fans from buying tickets.

Job ladder – Rod Hebden

Photo of Rod Hebden
03 Mar 2016

From engineering to managing cream teas at the National Trust and now fundraising for Cheltenham Festivals, Rod Hebden tells us about his career so far.

Job Ladder – Karl Wallace

Photo of Karl Wallace
14 Jan 2016

Director of Macclesfield’s Barnaby Festival, Karl Wallace, reflects on his career making big things happen.

How to… make a festival disability-friendly

Photo of a girl at a concert with headphones on
11 Jan 2016

Being disability-friendly isn’t just about physical accessibility. Alistair McDonald explains how Chase Park festival ensures it is inclusive and welcoming of everyone.

A festival for all the senses

Photo of people dressed up
02 Dec 2015

When Torbay’s annual Agatha Christie Week was expanded into a major literature festival things took an unexpected turn. Anna Farthing investigates.

A smart future for Singapore

Photo of a sleep lab
19 Nov 2015

In 2013 Drew Hemment got the call – the Singapore government wanted his help staging an arts and technology festival. He explains what happened next.

It’s not what you know…

A photo from T in the Park
28 Oct 2015

David Stevenson deplores the way that a subjective decision to grant public money to a commercial company is being dressed up as the evidence-based decision of an objective funding system.

How to… programme a festival

Photo of a concert
16 Oct 2015

Programming a music festival with over 300 events can’t be easy, but Donald Shaw knows exactly how it’s done. He gives us the low-down and shares his top tips for making it as a programmer.

Seeking shared spaces

Photo of chairs in theatre
28 Sep 2015

Jessica Bowles took students from The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama to curate the Prague Quadrennial's SpaceLab - and found their theatrical assumptions happily challenged.

How to… build a brand

Roundhouse lights jazz
21 Sep 2015

How do you get from first gig to internationally recognised festival? Amy Pearce of EFG London Jazz Festival shares her tips.

Shouting as loud as ever

Photo of SHOUT posters
28 Aug 2015

Is an arts organisation dedicated to LGBT issues still necessary or even relevant? Yes, says Neil Anderson, so long as it moves with the times.

A working life that works

Photo of audience at festival
09 Jul 2015

A production company run by two women with seven children between them is rewriting the rules that separate work and family life, explains Sarah Bird.

Job Ladder – Sheena Wrigley

Photo of Sheena Wrigley
25 Jun 2015

As she joins Manchester’s HOME, Sheena Wrigley looks back over the course of her career. 

Edinburgh festivals must focus on digital development and infrastructure

Photo of punch & judy style sign
22 May 2015

A new strategy report advises Edinburgh’s festivals to improve their digital offering if the city is to avoid complacency and remain a cultural world-beater.

A treasure trove of data

Image of LIFT event
31 Mar 2015

For the London International Festival of Theatre customer data is power. Libby Penn describes how taking control over ticketing and audience data was like opening a treasure trove for the London International Festival of Theatre.

Job Ladder

Photo of Louise Emerson
26 Mar 2015

Louise Emerson explains how she ended up as CEO of Cheltenham Festivals, after beginning her career designing broadband amplifiers.

Building blocks for success

Image of trapeze artist at outdoor festival
02 Oct 2014

With so many festivals in the UK what makes for a successful and sustainable festival? Holly Lombardo discusses some vital building blocks.

A force for festivals

Image of Atelier group
23 Jun 2014

As one of the oldest cultural networks in Europe, the European Festivals Association’s mission has always been centred around artistic quality and long-term impact, says Kathrin Deventer.

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