Independent ticketing platform Skiddle and the Association of Independent Festivals (AIF) are inviting applications for a new bursary designed to support UK festivals with a capacity of 2,500 or less.
The initiative will give up to 20 applicants a fully-funded, year-long AIF membership, providing access to the organisation’s network, industry guidance, legal and professional support, webinars and a range of other resources.
It marks the second year Skiddle and AIF have teamed up to bolster support for independent events.
“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," said AIF CEO John Rostron. "Taking a punt on a membership of something unknown is often a big ask for an operator, but we’ve seen what that’s done for the festivals who were successful last year, and are delighted that this new bursary scheme from Skiddle will support the very smallest of festivals so they can get help when they need it, all year long.”
Through this bursary, we want to give organisers access to the expertise, resources and promotional support that can make a meaningful difference
Duncan King, Skiddle
Recipients will also receive a bespoke promotional package from Skiddle worth up to £5,000, tailored to the needs of each festival.
“Small and micro festivals play an essential role in the UK’s live music landscape," said Skiddle's head of partnerships Duncan King. "They create opportunities for emerging artists and bring communities together, providing audiences with experiences they often can’t find anywhere else.
“However, we know that running an independent festival comes with considerable challenges, especially at this scale. Through this bursary, we want to give organisers access to the expertise, resources and promotional support that can make a meaningful difference."
The bursary is open to festivals with a capacity of 2,500 or less – events that typically are in a crucial stage of growth and benefit greatly from the professional and hands-on guidance provided by AIF and Skiddle.
One of last year’s recipients, Sam Southan, founder & creative director at Wiltshire's GemFest, spoke about the impact that the bursary had on their event:
"We were lucky enough to have Skiddle provide us with a free membership to the AIF, which has been a huge help to us in our early years at GemFest," said Southan. "John Rostron and the rest of the AIF team have consistently supported us with advice and connections over the past 12 months, supporting the growth of our show from 5,000 to an anticipated 10,000 this coming year."
Festival organisers can apply here. Applications close at 11.59pm on Thursday, September 17. Successful applicants will be chosen independently by Skiddle and AIF.
