Max SteventonThe Association of Independent Festivals (AIF) and the British Arts Festivals Association (BAFA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding that will see the two organisations collaborate across events, research, training and representation.
AIF represents over 140 UK music festivals, from large-scale events to small independents, while BAFA supports multi-arts and cultural festivals across the UK through advocacy, training and networking.
According to the organisations, the agreement aims to strengthen ties between the independent music festival and multi-arts festival sectors, with both committing to joint reports, shared data projects and new opportunities for cross-sector learning.
Under the agreement, AIF and BAFA will host joint member meetings, stage in-person events across the UK, produce shared training resources, and offer reciprocal access to the AIF Congress and BAFA Conference.
The collaboration also includes a commitment to improve the flow of information between industry and public sector bodies.
AIF also joined forces with the Association of Independent Promoters (AIP) and the Music Venue Trust (MVT) for a joint networking day on 14 October – reflecting a growing trend of collaboration among associations across the live events sector.
AIF CEO John Rostron said, “AIF’s membership is based on collaboration and cooperation between those working in the independent festival market, and this alliance with the wider multi-arts festival sector is an extension of that philosophy. There is already some significant crossover between our memberships. By working more intentionally together, we will all benefit from a greater diversity of insight, experience and expertise.”
BAFA director Fiona Goh said, “BAFA exists to provide insight, inspiration and connection for the arts festivals community through the networking, training, advocacy and support that we offer. We’re looking forward to BAFA and AIF working together more strategically in the future to the benefit of the whole festival sector.”