Max SteventonThe Association of Independent Festivals has partnered with Skiddle for a second year on a bursary scheme supporting small independent festivals.
The initiative has been created to provide professional support and guidance for up to 20 very small and micro independent UK festivals. It includes a year-long AIF membership and promotional support worth up to £5,000. It is open to festivals with a capacity of 2,500 or less that are in their second year of operation or later.
Successful applicants will receive a fully funded AIF membership, giving organisers access to industry guidance, legal and professional support, webinars and the organisation’s network of festival operators. They will also receive a promotional package from Skiddle, which could include editorial coverage, paid media and promotion through its Festival Guide.
Applications close at 11.59pm on 17 September. Recipients will be selected by Skiddle and AIF. The bursary is running for the second year, following the first scheme in 2025.
AIF CEO John Rostron said, “There is no manual to running a festival, but there is a network of nearly 200 festival organisers at AIF who come together to share, borrow, ask and help each other build and create their own individual events.”