The Association of Independent Festivals (AIF) will launch a bespoke free business support programme for multi-venue festivals thanks to funding by Arts Council England

Launching in October, the programme will be open to multi-venue festivals operating in England, of which AIF has identified more than 70 in 2024, serving a range of audiences and showcasing a wide variety of genres.

The often grassroots music events targeted by the new programme have unique challenges, including the use of shared spaces with private and public ownership, reduced ancillary revenue opportunities as well as rising costs which are hitting all of the festival sector.

The project will offer free custom online training and support over the next six months alongside access to a dedicated in-person programme at AIF’s Festival Congress in Bristol in February 2025, as well as creating a new network with new resources to deliver resilient multi-venue festivals for artists and audiences.

It will also provide custom business support and industry skills development for this cohort through online, expert-led webinars, as well as peer-to-peer roundtables and training in key areas of pressure or opportunity based on research carried during the programme’s design stage.

Topics covered will include: preparing for The Protection of Premises Bill (aka Martyn’s Law); managing multi-venue PRS licensing; identifying accommodation and travel partnership revenue opportunities; environmental and accessibility event challenges; and an introduction to funding opportunities for promoters, artists and industry professionals.

There’ll also be responsive, bespoke training to meet the particular requirements of multi-venue festival promoters, and each festival will be allocated a small fund for one-on-one legal, financial or licensing health checks or advice as required for their own challenges or needs.

Shared resources will be collated and developed following online expert sessions and Festival Congress, and will be openly available via the AIF website as a legacy resource for any multi-venue festival to access.

Festivals wishing to find out or more or who would like to participate should email info@aiforg.com

AIF CEO John Rostron said: “I’m delighted that, with the support of Arts Council England, we can offer free direct support to festivals outside of our membership though this bespoke six month programme. We have never been able to do this before, and it’s thrilling that festivals of all sizes will be able to come together to meet, share and learn, connecting with festival professionals across legal, licensing, revenue generation, funding, sponsorship, and so much more.

“Multi-venue music festivals are particularly important to me, as they are where I cut my teeth as a music promoter. Working with the built environment, they so often bring a town or city to life – acting as a catalyst for a music scene, or celebrating a particular place, genre or music ecology. Working in existing venues, or creating new spaces in and around the area, they regularly change shape as the area develops or as their audience grows or moves, which can be as exciting as it is challenging.”