AIF to launch skills programme for Welsh festivals and festival freelancers

20 November 2024 - Press release

Six month programme backed by Creative Wales funding.

 

The Association of Independent Festivals is to launch a dedicated skills and development programme for Welsh music festivals and associated freelancers, backed by funding from Creative Wales. 

Spanning six months, The Welsh Music Festivals and Festival Freelancers Skills and Development Programme will be free to access for festivals operating in Wales and freelancers in Wales for whom some or all of their work is in the festival sector.

The course will be mostly delivered online, including two digital channels for 24/7 networking, learning and sharing between festivals and freelancers. Up to 40 of the participating festivals will also be given the chance to attend Festival Congress in person, with full access to the event and bespoke, in-person sessions tailored to the cohort.

Sessions for festivals will cover topics including volunteering; financial planning and budgeting; improving spend per head; adapting to extreme weather; festival accessibility best practice; EDI for teams; artists and audiences; waste separation regulations and more as determined by the cohort’s needs.

For festival freelancers, topics will include contracts (negotiation and templates); pay (including third party options, and setting standard rates in festivals); mental health and wellbeing support; increasing job opportunities and more.

AIF CEO John Rostron said: “This is a really exciting programme that will bring together a large cohort of festivals and a similarly large grouping of festival freelancers in Wales. The two groups will access a wide array of free training, resources and support, as well as coming together to help us create other bespoke support for their needs. I’m particularly excited to be piloting this kind of offer to festival freelancers, who may sometimes be supported by regular employers, agencies or trade unions, but often fall through the gap as they move between different companies or jump between different sectors to secure work. Freelancers are essential to the festival world, and so being able to provide new training to support them during their time in the sector will be enthralling.”

Suzi Green, Tour Manager and founder of The Back Lounge, who is supporting and advising on the programme said: “I'm thrilled to be part of AIF's initiative to identify and support Welsh festival and event freelancers. Drawing from my own experience - working onsite, tour managing performers, attending festivals as a passionate fan, and advocating through The Back Lounge peer support group - I’m more than aware how isolating and challenging freelancing in this industry can be.  Given our economic climate and many festivals facing uncertainty, I’m confident this initiative will provide insight into some of these issues and provide a legacy of support for the future.”

Festivals in Wales and Freelancers in Wales who do some or all of their work in festivals (or want to work in festivals) can register interest in this free skills programme HERE.