2013 outline programme

FESTIVALS: COMMON GROUND

CONFERENCE FOR FESTIVALS

‘A FESTIVAL CAREER’ 6 November 2013 Edinburgh Napier University

‘COMMON GROUND’ 7, 8 November 2013 The Scottish Storytelling Centre

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FESTIVALS: COMMON GROUND

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’ 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?

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FESTIVALS: COMMON GROUND

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 Work Smarter:Stay Connected:Mean Business

FESTIVALS: COMMON GROUND

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FESTIVALS: COMMON GROUND

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: somewhere cheap but cheerful Join us when you can!

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FESTIVALS: COMMON GROUND

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:

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.

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FESTIVALS: COMMON GROUND

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: Johan 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: 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: 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.

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FESTIVALS: COMMON GROUND

12.15-12.45

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

BAFA AGM 12.45-13.30: Lunch - with live performance

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FESTIVALS: COMMON GROUND .

13.30-13.45: Welcome to the afternoon programme with:

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.

13.45-14.45

Cultural Impact Taking into account what was debated during the morning session ‘What‘s the point of festivals?’ we move on to look more closely at that perennial issue of ‘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

14.45-15.00 Refreshments

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FESTIVALS: COMMON GROUND

15.00-16.00 and 16.00-17.00 Multi-choice breakout sessions including keynote forums on: Micro broadcasting Broadcasting from a festival?

Science communicators What can science bring to an arts programme?

Family audiences New initiatives in attracting a family audience Volunteers Festival volunteering: Fun or fundamental?

Blogging Not so much ‘how to’ but ‘why?’

Research Big data - is this the way forward?

17.00-17.15 Round up with Jonathan Holloway, Perth Festival 17.15-19.30 Free time 19.30-20.00 Pre-party drinks 20.00-late Conference Feast food, drink, dancing

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FESTIVALS: COMMON GROUND

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 Host

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.

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FESTIVALS: COMMON GROUND

11.15-12.15

Cultural Value Arts and Politics—two worlds collide?

What is the value of cultural identity and how far can festivals exploit its potential? with: James Waters, Lammermuir Festival Donald Smith, Scottish Storytelling Festival Tiffany Jenkins, Journalist Kim Minke, Danish Cultural Institute 12.20-12.30 Refreshments 12.30-13.30 Multi-choice breakout sessions including keynote forum on: Arts Fundraising & Philanthropy Encouraging leadership and entrepreneurship in the arts Stakeholder mapping Developing strategies Accessibility Solutions not problems EU Cultural Programme Creative Europe Social Sustainability A new language?

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FESTIVALS: COMMON GROUND

13.30-14.30 Lunch - with live performance 14.30-16.30 Festival site visits We leave the Scottish Storytelling Centre to explore this ‘Festival City’ with three different festival site visits 16.30-17.00 Farewell drinks @ The Hub

NEXT YEAR?

2014 Canterbury Festival will be our host

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