British Arts Festivals Association

British Arts Festivals Association BAFA is the national development agency for arts festivals. BAFA is the national development agency for arts festivals in the UK.

A membership organisation for festivals - and universities, organisations and individuals who are involved/work with festivals in any capacity. BAFA is supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England.

As the UK node for the European Festivals Association, we've had the following update from the EFA, offering funding for...
09/09/2026

As the UK node for the European Festivals Association, we've had the following update from the EFA, offering funding for festivals to collaborate across borders:

The European Festivals Fund for Emerging Artists (EFFEA) is back with its fifth call, supporting festivals to work together and create opportunities for emerging artists across borders. Applications are open from 1 September to 3 November 2026 for residencies taking place in 2027.

An initiative of the European Festivals Association (EFA), EFFEA will support around 50 residencies bringing together at least 150 festivals from across Europe and beyond.

Before applying, read the full Call #5 document on the EFFEA website, including the eligibility criteria, financial conditions, selection criteria and timeline.

https://www.artsfestivals.co.uk/resources/european-festivals-fund-for-emerging-artists-effea/

We've been busy revamping our members' resources, making sure that they're still getting fantastic offers from partners ...
20/08/2026

We've been busy revamping our members' resources, making sure that they're still getting fantastic offers from partners providing ticketing, insurance, and more.

But if you're not a member and still want the latest news, check out BAFA's website resources page, where we share the latest news and opportunities for organisations working in the festivals sector.

A pleasure to be invited to join the BBC Proms for Aurora Orchestra's Prom last weekend. It was fantastic, as ever, to s...
04/08/2026

A pleasure to be invited to join the BBC Proms for Aurora Orchestra's Prom last weekend. It was fantastic, as ever, to see our members at work.

Great to be at Creative UK's Westminster Summer Reception with .platt.mp, sharing ideas about the important role of fest...
09/07/2026

Great to be at Creative UK's Westminster Summer Reception with .platt.mp, sharing ideas about the important role of festivals in transforming places through culture. During a rapidly shifting political landscape, it was positive to discuss CUK's advocacy toolkit for the cultural sector and hear from speakers from ERA (Entertainment Retailers Association) and Spotlight about the role of culture in our high streets and the future for creative professionals.

It's less than a week before our first BAFA members' workshop with Tonic.We're excited to be offering this for free to m...
09/06/2026

It's less than a week before our first BAFA members' workshop with Tonic.

We're excited to be offering this for free to members as part of our Resilient Festivals initiative, building on their goals to build diverse, adaptable, and resilient workforces for their festivals.

02/06/2026

# # Submissions For Carmarthen Bay Film Festival CBFF2027 Are Now Officially Open # #

As we continue to relive all the wonderful moments and remember everyone involved in making Carmarthen Bay Film Festival 2026 such wonderful celebration of independent filmmaking, with over 130 films from over 65 countries screened during the festival's 4 days and filmmakers from around the world came together to meet, networking, relax and enjoy the very best indie films here in , in beautiful west Wales; we are very happy to announce that is now open for submissions.

Come be part of Premier Film Festival and enter your film to the Gŵyl Ffilm Bae Caerfyrddin Carmarthen Bay Film Festival via FilmFreeway:

https://filmfreeway.com/CarmarthenBayFilmFestival

And join us here in Wales at the Theatrau Sir Gar Ffwrnes Theatre, and online next 17th - 20th May, 2027.

As well as being a BAFTA British Short Film, BIFA British Independent Film Awards, BAFTA Cymru, BAFTA Scotland & IMDb qualifying film festival; Gŵyl Ffilm Bae Caerfyrddin Carmarthen Bay Film Festival is very pleased to be a member of Film Hub Wales & the British Arts Festivals Association and the have the support Ffilm Cymru Wales and the Welsh Government via of Cymru Greadigol - Creative Wales.



What a joy to be at the Chiltern Arts Festival - not just enjoying the delights of a BAFA member festival, but also meet...
26/05/2026

What a joy to be at the Chiltern Arts Festival - not just enjoying the delights of a BAFA member festival, but also meeting various dear friends of BAFA, including Professor Tony Whyton (Birmingham City University), doctoral candidate Naomi Taylor (part of our doctoral research partnership), Professor Nicholas Gebhardt (BCU).

Not to mention a performance by Echo Vocal Ensemble featuring Freddie Crowley of Whiddon Autumn Festival, another BAFA member, and great to see George Vass of Presteigne Festival there too.

Chiltern Arts Festival

Fiona represented BAFA and its members at the European Festivals' Association summit last week. With great sessions on c...
22/05/2026

Fiona represented BAFA and its members at the European Festivals' Association summit last week. With great sessions on collaborations, data, tourism and arts and democracy, it was a wonderful chance to talk to peers from across the continent, and share what British arts festivals are up to.

Being a member of the British Arts Festival Association offers an invaluable opportunity to build a strong network of pr...
19/03/2026

Being a member of the British Arts Festival Association offers an invaluable opportunity to build a strong network of professional contacts across the breadth of the festivals sector.

We work for and in the sector to offer:
- Networking and Professional Development
- Profile Raising and Resource Sharing
- Advocacy
- Members' Discounts

Rates for Festival membership start at just £100 and are based on annual turnover.
You can also join us as a University, Sole Trader, or Corporate member.

Please contact us at [email protected] for more information about how your organisation can benefit from being part of BAFA, or visit: https://www.artsfestivals.co.uk/joinus/

Live at the Scottish Festivals Forum, a thoughtful panel discussion, “Reasons to be Cheerful?”, chaired by Professor Jan...
10/03/2026

Live at the Scottish Festivals Forum, a thoughtful panel discussion, “Reasons to be Cheerful?”, chaired by Professor Jane Ali-Knight (Edinburgh Napier University).

Looking ahead to the year to come, panellists Belinda McElhinney (Imaginate, Edinburgh International Children's Festival), Jackie Shuttleworth (Fringe by the Sea) and James Waters (The Lammermuir Festival) are reflecting on the opportunities for festivals, from building new connections to responding creatively to the challenges facing the sector.

A fitting way to end a day of open conversations.

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