2013 published final programme

Work Smarter:Stay Connected:Mean Business

CONFERENCE FOR FESTIVALS ‘A FESTIVAL CAREER’

6 November 2013 Edinburgh Napier

University

‘COMMON GROUND’ 7, 8 November 2013

The Scottish Storytelling Centre

Edinburgh

FESTIVALS: COMMON GROUND



BAFA is proud to introduce

Conference Partner: La Playa Limited

Based in London, Cambridge and New York, La Playa is an independent boutique broker with an intelligent and dynamic approach to insurance. We work with arts-friendly insurer QBE to help arts organisations. Whether you’re established or just starting out, funded or commercial, we’ll help you protect your organisation - BAFA Members can benefit from:

20% discount on Festival Portfolio for BAFA members Free initial pension consultation Comprehensive cover, tailor-made for festivals A broker who understands your organisation Expert professional advice, first class service & claims handling

Contact Paula Hawthorne, Head of Performing Arts & Entertainment E: [email protected]

Media Partner: Arts Professional

Keeping up to date with important issues and vital information can sometimes feel a bit like trying to fill a cup from a waterfall. Here at Arts Professional we try to make this task just a little easier for you by creating and curating the most relevant content for those with a professional interest in the arts sector. We aim to deliver a quality news and information service that will help you get the most out of your professional practice. We cover news stories that are too specialist for the national newspapers, but are important to those working in the arts We investigate what’s really going on in the sector, holding public bodies to ac count when necessary We keep the sector up to date with changes in areas such as the law and technology, and policies that may affect them We share good practice by giving arts organisations and practitioners a platform to write about their successes and tell others about their experiences We provide a forum in which those with something say can pass comment on key issues or topical subjects We create a space for the sector to promote itself, its jobs, and its activities to other arts professionals.

Contact: Liz Hill, Editor E: [email protected]



What is our ‘Common Ground’?

Festivals come in every shape and size and they all record in some measure

the pattern of cultural change. What is our common ground

and how can we exploit it to maximise benefit?

The 2013 Conference for Festivals at the Scottish Storytelling Centre on 7, 8 November

investigates this question with headline panel discussions and in depth breakout sessions.

‘What’s the point of festivals’

Why do we need festivals? Is it that we enjoy coming together to celebrate culture

Or - is it more than this? Read our Arts Professional articles

‘Festivals in the Frame’ and ‘Festival Frenzy’ online at: www.artsprofessional.co.uk

Cultural Impact Is long term sustainability only possible for festivals

routed in their communities? Here today: gone tomorrow? What impact do one-off major

events have on an existing cultural landscape?

Cultural Value Arts and Politics—two worlds collide?

What is the value of cultural identity, who measures it and how far can festivals exploit its potential?



Each year the British Arts and Science Festivals Association

hosts ‘A Festival Career’

A unique event specifically designed for students and recent graduates interested in a career in festivals

and ‘Conference for Festivals’

The only conference with something for everyone working in the festival sector

and in 2013 BAFA visits Edinburgh

Where have we been previously?

2012: London 2011: Leicester 2010: Brighton

2009: Cheltenham 2008: Liverpool 2007: Buxton 2006: Cardiff

2005: Gateshead





CONFERENCE FOR FESTIVALS: COMMON GROUND

The Scottish Storytelling Centre 7, 8 November 2013

The main two day Conference for Festivals starts on 7 November but traditionally we have a social programme the evening before.

A chance for everyone to meet up before the serious business of the main conference begins

Check into your hotel first or come along after work

Join in when you can - at any point in the evening

Wednesday 6 November

17.30-18.30: Conference Welcome ‘Tea Party’ @ The Hub Tea and cake and meet the delegates

who have arrived in town

18.30-22.30: Selection of social events including: 18.30 Hidden Gems - a walking tour of Edinburgh

led by James McVeigh, Festivals Edinburgh

22.00/22.30: Late night supper: City Restaurant, 35 Nicolson Street Edinburgh EH8 9BE

Join us when you can!



CONFERENCE FOR FESTIVALS: COMMON GROUND

The Scottish Storytelling Centre 7, 8 November 2013

DAY ONE Thursday 7 November

10.00-10.30: Registration and coffee 10.30-11.00: Pre-conference discussion

‘What’s the point of festivals’ BAFA has been hosting an on-line Twitter debate on this topic. #thepointoffestivals Find out what main themes have emerged

and offer up your own thoughts prior to the main conference debate

11.00-11.15: Welcome from our Venue Host:

Dr Donald Smith, Director The Scottish Storytelling Centre

The Scottish Storytelling Centre is a vibrant arts venue located on Edinburgh's Royal Mile with a programme of live storytelling, theatre,

music, exhibitions, family events and workshops happening all year round



11.15-12.15

‘What’s the point of festivals?’ Why do we need festivals?

Is it that we enjoy coming together to celebrate culture Or - is it more than this?

BAFA has been hosting a pre-conference Twitter debate #thepointoffestivals with the support of Arts Professional and we bring forward the themes from

the on-line debate and the pre-conference discussion earlier today Read our Arts Professional articles ‘Festivals in the Frame’

online at: www.artsprofessional.co.uk

Leading this debate our international panel is:

Johan Moerman, Rotterdam Festivals Michael White, Journalist

Alasdair Nicolson, St Magnus International Festival and Bath International Music Festival

Johan Moerman is a specialist in the concepts that optimise the cooperation between cities and event producers and maximum results for both. Festivals help cities to strengthen their attractiveness and image,

to increase the number of tourists, to increase community pride and to develop neighbourhoods.

Michael White was once voted Britain's least boring music critic by listeners to Classic FM – an accolade of sorts – Michael began writing for the Guardian and now contributes to the Daily Telegraph and New York Times. ‘Festival fatigue: it sounds something Ebenezer Scrooge would suffer from: ‘Having a good time? Dancing in the street? Are there no workhouses, no prisons?’ writes Michael in

the October edition of Opera Now.

Alasdair Nicolson is one of Scotland’s leading composers whose music has been performed, commissioned and broadcast all over the world. Beyond composing

he has a strong commitment to programming, education and new work and is currently Artistic Director of

St Magnus International Festival and Bath International Music Festival.



12.15-13.15 Multi-choice breakout sessions

Micro broadcasting Broadcasting from a festival?

Charles Denscombe, pioneer in the field of live broadcasting and the festival sector, will lead this session looking at the both the technology and the potential for this emerging

platform for extended audience engagement using active case studies

Family audiences New initiatives in attracting a family audience

The Family Arts Campaign, launched earlier this year, is a large scale national collaborative programme led by the visual

and performing arts sectors to increase levels of arts engagement by families. Alastair Tallon, Campaign Manager will be introducing the new Family Arts Standards that are at

the core of this campaign.

Volunteers Festival volunteering: Fun or fundamental?

This workshop is an opportunity for you to learn about Voluntary Arts’ resources and share your experience in

relation to volunteer recruitment, support and development. What we would also like to find out, is who your festival volunteers are, what they do, why they do it and how

Voluntary Arts could better support festival volunteering in the future

13.15-14.00: Lunch - with live performance



14.00-14.30

FESTIVAL AWARDS

Outstanding Contribution to British Arts & Science Festivals

Previous recipients: 2012: Stewart Collins, Henley & Petworth Festivals

2011: Tania Harrison, Latitude Festival 2010: Richard Phillips, Leamington Music Festival Weekend

2009: Michael and Emily Eavis, Glastonbury Festival 2008: Nick Dodds, Brighton Festival

2007: Judith Serota, Spitalfields Festival

Exceptional Service Award For significant sustained performance characterised by unusual initiative. This is the third year of this award and it is designed to recognise the people

who work, often in an unheralded capacity, for a BAFA Festival either directly or indirectly.

They may be in a paid or unpaid role. They may have only worked with the festival for one season or been its backbone for decades - BUT– they stand out for their exceptional dedication and unstinting effort in everything they do.

Past recipients have been: 2012

Peter Williams, Canterbury Festival Robert Stripe, Cambridge Summer Music Festival

2011 Jenny Paddock, Bewdley Festival

Stan Knowles, Chester Summer Music Festival

followed by the BAFA AGM


FESTIVALS: COMMON GROUND .

14.30-14.45: Welcome to the afternoon programme with: James McVeigh, Head of Marketing & Innovation

Festivals Edinburgh Festivals Edinburgh is the high-level organisation created in 2007 by the

Directors of Edinburgh’s 12 major festivals to lead on their joint strategic development and maintain their global competitive edge.

14.45-15.45

Cultural Impact

Is long term sustainability only possible for festivals routed in their communities? How do ‘parachuted’ festivals fit into our cultural landscape? What impact do one-off major

events have on the existing cultural offer?

Leading this debate we have our speakers: James McVeigh, Festivals Edinburgh

Stella Hall, Festival of Thrift Robert Palmer, Cultural Commentator

James McVeigh joined Festivals Edinburgh following senior management roles with a number of organisations including Arts Council England, Salisbury

International Festival and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Society. He also sits on the board of New Media Scotland, the national

development agency that supports emergent artistic practice Stella Hall has a passion for bringing people and place together through shared creative experiences and has worked on many festivals including: Enchanted Parks, EAT! Festival, Juice Festival and the ancient Preston Guild. As well as Festival of Thrift Stella is currently Creative Producer at Media City, Salford Robert Palmer is an independent expert consultant in the cultural field, with considerable international experience. Areas of specialist expertise include cul-

tural policy and strategy, organisation and management, intercultural integration, cultural rights, cultural festivals and events, art and

conflict reconciliation, culture-led urban regeneration and European Capitals of Culture.

15.45-16.00 Refreshments



Research Big data - is this the way forward?

Richard Fletcher from De Montfort University leads this investigation into the power of collective research. Everyone

is collecting data these days—what is the potential for collaborative analysis?

How often does your organisation undertake research and what happens to that data afterwards?

Stakeholder mapping Developing strategies

There are few things that are more important than understanding and managing your stakeholders.

James McVeigh from Festivals Edinburgh leads this session which looks at ways to map and analyse your stakeholders

with a view to building support for your festival’s development’

Blogging Not so much ‘how to’ but ‘why?’ Does your organisation blog?

Blogging puts a human face on your organisation, differentiates you from your competition and educates your audience. With so much essential social media to handle, experienced blogger Emily Dodd examines if it really

necessary to find the time to blog as well?



17.00-17.15

Round up with

Jonathan Holloway, Perth Festival The 10 traits of a 21century festival

17.15-19.30 Free time

19.30-20.00 Pre-party drinks The Mitre, 131 High Street, Edinburgh EH1 1SG

en-route to:

20.00-late Conference Feast @ The Hub Castlehill, Edinburgh EH1 2NE

*food, drink, dancing*




CONFERENCE FOR FESTIVALS:

COMMON GROUND The Scottish Storytelling Centre

7, 8 November 2013

DAY TWO Friday 8 November

10.30-11.00: Registration and coffee

11.00-11.15: Welcome with our Host for the day:

Dr Jane Ali-Knight, Board Member Scottish Events and Festivals Association

The Scottish Events & Festivals Association is the official trade body in Scotland providing leadership and representation for organisers,

promoters and suppliers involved in the festivals, events and tourism industry

throughout Scotland and the UK



11.15-12.15

Cultural Value What is the value of cultural identity and how far can

festivals exploit its potential? What is the partnership potential

between the arts and the political environment and is it only ever one sided?

Chair: James Waters, Lammermuir Festival Dr Donald Smith, Scottish Storytelling Festival

Dr Tiffany Jenkins, Journalist Dr Kim Minke, Danish Cultural Institute

James Waters is Director of the Lammermuir Festival in Scotland as well as the Creative Director of Classical Music at Perth's Concert Hall and Theatre. With 30

years experience as a cultural manager, festivals are his specialism. Dr Donald Smith is Director of the Scottish Storytelling Centre which he

founded in 1996. A storyteller, playwright, novelist and performance poet he was also a founding Director of the National Theatre of Scotland and first Chair

of the Literature Forum for Scotland. In addition to his creative work Donald has written and lectured widely on Scotland’s cultural

and religious life, past and present. Dr Tiffany Jenkins is a sociologist, writer and cultural commentator, who splits her time between London and Edinburgh. She is a regular broadcaster and a contributor to the broadsheet press on arts and cultural issues including a

column for The Scotsman newspaper. Dr Kim Minke is Danish and heads up the Danish Cultural Institute. The Danish Cultural Institute promotes the exchange of ideas, opinions and information

between Denmark and the UK. The Institute arranges Danish cultural events in the UK in order to bring Danish cultural experiences of highest quality

to the British people.

12.15-12.30 Refreshments




Arts Fundraising & Philanthropy Encouraging leadership and entrepreneurship in the arts

An intro to the Arts Fundraising and Philanthropy Programme: Encouraging leadership and entrepreneurship in the arts

this session will give an overview of the three-year Programme, which will offer people across the arts and

cultural sector training, traineeships, coaching, and digital skills development to encourage innovative and effective

practice in arts fundraising and encourage a more entrepreneurial approach to income generation.

Science communicators What can science bring to an arts programme? The arts are a great way to get people thinking

about science in a non-traditional way. What is the role of a science communicator and how can

science fit into a arts festival programme? How do you create an engaging, understandable and

entertaining event?

Accessibility Solutions not problems

The aim of the first Get Inclusive Arts Festival in Aberdeen earlier this year festival was to bring together people with a

range of backgrounds and abilities. Jacob Adams, Festival Manager for Attitude is Everything will lead the discussion with Philippa Roberts from Mixed Fish,

who was instrumental in the very first Get Inclusive Festival. Looking at what ‘inclusion’ and ‘access’ really means for your

organisation/festival, Jacob will also discuss the Attitude is Everything Charter of Best Practise.



13.30-14.30 Lunch

14.30-16.30 Festival site visits

We leave the Scottish Storytelling Centre to explore this ‘Festival City’ with two different festival site visits:

a site specific visit with Edinburgh Arts Festival who will be talking about their offsite commissioning work

a Q&A with Edinburgh International Festival in their offices —a unique opportunity to discuss the festival direct with those

who work to make it happen

16.00/16.30-17.00 Farewell drinks @ The Hub

NEXT YEAR: 22, 23, 24 October 2014

2014 Canterbury Festival will be our host Save the date - see you there!

Documents

2013 published final programme