News – Rich as folk

Increases in local authority funding for folk festivals have been granted following the publication of an Arts Council England report which highlighted the impact of folk festivals on cultural tourism (ArtsProfessional issue 46, March 24 2003).
Festivals in Bridgnorth and Halifax have each received rises of between 150% and 400% on their previous grants as news of the findings, showing that folk festivals contribute £77m to the tourist economy, reached local arts funding committees.