Executive Summary
This study looks at how government agencies fund both commercial and non-profit festivals. Festivals are significant cultural occasions that foster interactivity, support regional economies, and improve a community’s general well-being. Public agencies are essential to the success of these events because they provide the funds, licenses, and other resources needed. This study will examine how public authorities affect festivals and emphasize the value of their assistance. The study will examine the many methods that public authorities might use to support festivals and assess the efficacy of their contribution using both for-profit and non-profit examples. The research will also consider any potential difficulties and constraints that public authorities may have when assisting festivals. In the end, this study seeks to offer perceptions that can guide policy choices and aid public authorities in better comprehending their position in helping festivals.
Introduction
Festivals play an important role in cultural and social life by providing a venue for people to connect and celebrate their shared interests, values, and traditions (Derrett, 2003, p. 52). Festivals’ success, though, depends on several variables, including the assistance of the government. The task of fostering an atmosphere that encourages festival planning and execution falls to public authorities. Whether festivals are for profit or not, public authorities must play a crucial role in their support (Wood, 2008, p. 176). Non-profit festivals, such as cultural or community-based, have different goals and difficulties than those for profit, like music and culinary festivals. Therefore, the essay will examine public authorities’ distinctive effects on both types of festivals and the significance of their support. The introduction of the paper will focus on the various types of assistance that public authorities can offer, such as financial assistance, infrastructure, marketing assistance, and regulatory frameworks. Additionally, it will look at the difficulties festivals encounter and how government agencies may support them.
The cultural landscape of the U.K. is heavily influenced by festivals, which host hundreds of events annually. While festivals have many advantages, including community involvement and economic growth, they sometimes present problems that call for government intervention. Festivals are significantly influenced by public bodies in the U.K., including the national government, cultural media, local government, and the Arts Council (Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee, 2022). Particularly for not-for-profit festivals that depend on public money, the assistance of public authorities is essential. Non-profit festivals frequently have a social or cultural goal rather than being profit-driven. These events rely heavily on public support to accomplish their goals and guarantee that everyone can attend. For instance, the Arts Council funds the Greenbelt Festival, a non-profit festival, to support its operations (Deventer, 2015). Additionally vital to the support of commercial festivals are public agencies. Commercial festivals attempt to turn a profit and depend on sponsorship and ticket sales to pay their expenses. Public money can still help commercial festivals by supporting their infrastructure and spreading the word about them to more people (The Guardian, 2021). For instance, by providing funding for infrastructure like staging and sound equipment, the U.K. Festival Fund, backed by the national government, has aided in the rise of commercial festivals (Newbold & Jordan, 2016). It is impossible to exaggerate the value of public institutions in promoting festivals. Public agencies are crucial in fostering a climate encouraging for-profit and non-profit festivals. Festivals that are not for business, like the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, depend on public support and money to exist. The Edinburgh Festival Fringe got $2 million from the Arts Council in 2018 (Newbold et al., 2016) due to National Portfolio Organization (NPO) funding from the Arts Council, which supports events like this. Such festivals are able to keep bringing cultural advantages to communities because of the assistance offered by public bodies. On the other hand, commercial events depend on the government to create a supportive climate for them. For instance, nearly 100,000 people attend the New Year’s Eve fireworks show in London each year, which is a commercial event. The Greater London Authority supports the event by providing finance, logistical assistance, and safety precautions to guarantee its success (Bladen et al., 2022).
As it is frequently challenging for organizers to get the financial resources to create a high-quality event, funding is a critical component of festival management. Festivals are heavily subsidized by public agencies in the U.K., directly or through grants. According to Newbold et al. (2019), many festivals depend on public financing to cover their operating expenses, and many festivals would be unable to operate without it. The authors also point out that funding for festivals that can demonstrate a good impact on the neighborhood or economy frequently receives government priority, implying that festivals must support government interests to receive money (Newbold et al., 2019). A significant source of funding for festivals and other cultural events is the Arts Council. According to Newbold et al. (2015), support from the Arts Council allowed the Cheltenham Jazz Festival to continue and expand. Additionally, the Festival Support Programme, a federal government funding program, offers funds to festivals in England to support their expansion and development. The program aims to boost economic advantages and cultural involvement, especially in regions with low levels of cultural engagement. For instance, the 2019 program provided £25,000 to the Lytham Festival, a non-profit event crucial to its success (Kelly, 2019). Festivals can thrive and attract a larger audience thanks to financial support from public bodies. Festivals can obtain funding from various sources, including government subsidies, sponsorship, and crowdsourcing (Kelly, 2019). The U.K. Festival Fund, which supports small to medium-sized festivals, is one of the several programs run by the national government’s Department for Digital, Culture, Media, and Sport (DCMS) that offers financing to festivals. As with other cultural events and festivals, the Arts Council supports festivals through its Grants for the Arts program (Newbold et al., 2015). Many festivals in Europe, including the U.K., rely primarily on public financing to maintain their operations, according to Newbold et al. (2015). In addition, the Cultural Recovery Fund was established after the COVID-19 pandemic to aid afflicted cultural and artistic institutions, such as festivals (Wikipedia, 2023). Festivals held inside the boundaries of local governments, such as the Leicester City Council, are also financially supported. When an event in Leicester satisfies specific requirements, such as enhancing the city’s cultural heritage and drawing tourists, the council’s Arts and Festivals team will financially sponsor it (Deventer, 2015). Considering this, it is evident that public bodies, including the national government, cultural media, local governments, and art councils, play a vital role in providing financial support for festivals. These financial schemes significantly impact festivals’ sustainability, expansion, and evolution.
In the U.K., governmental entities substantially influence festivals through legal and financial considerations (Getz et al., 2010). Numerous rules and laws must be followed during festivals, including those about traffic control, noise pollution, health and safety, and alcohol licensing. Through efforts like the U.K. Live Music Group, which offers assistance on matters like licensing and noise limits, public agencies such as the national government provide legal guidance to festivals (Van der Hoeven & Hitters, 2019, p. 265). According to Bladen et al. (2022), breaking these rules might result in fines, the cancellation of the event, or possibly the organizers being imprisoned. Festivals unable to comply with legal standards risk losing their license and being unable to operate in the future. Public authorities can, therefore, effectively enforce compliance through legal processes, which significantly impacts the viability of festivals. For instance, it is the local government’s duty to grant festival licenses and see to it that they abide by the law, such as the Leicester City Council (Newbold & Bianchini, 2017). To guarantee that festivals in Leicester are accessible, entertaining, and safe for all participants, the council has established a festival and events policy (Deventer, 2015). Fines, legal action, and reputational harm to the festival organizers may result from breaking the law. The safety and well-being of festival attendees, as well as the employees, are ensured by such rules and licensing requirements. A festival’s capacity to function legally and avoid legal troubles that can damage its brand or financial stability depends on this legal backing.
Another crucial component of managing festivals is obtaining licenses, which enable organizers to use public areas, sell alcohol and food, and stage shows (Van der Wagen, 2010). In the U.K., public authorities are in charge of providing licenses, and as part of this procedure, the festival’s plans, safety precautions, and effects on the neighborhood are rigorously assessed. According to Newbold et al. (2015), the licensing procedure for organizers can be time-consuming and expensive because they have to prove that they have complied with several regulations and get the backing of regional stakeholders. According to the authors, the licensing procedure guarantees that festivals adhere to particular safety and community involvement norms, ultimately benefiting all stakeholders (Newbold et al., 2015). For example, the Leicester City Council mandates that festival planners submit a license application considering public health and safety, noise pollution, traffic control, and emergency services (Bladen et al., 2022). The collaboration between local government agencies and event organizers to ensure adherence to rules and license specifications is covered by Bladen et al. (2022). For instance, the council’s licensing division collaborates closely with the Leicester Caribbean Carnival’s organizers to ensure that the event complies with all applicable laws, including those about the sale of alcohol and food safety. Licensing is essential for festivals to be fun and safe for all attendees.
Another significant way that government agencies impact festivals is through the control of attendees’ behavior. Festivals frequently draw sizable crowds, so it is crucial to control their behavior to keep everyone safe and have a good time. Deventer (2015) observes that to uphold law and order; public authorities frequently use police and security personnel. Additionally, festival organizers must collaborate closely with government agencies to create backup plans in case of crises or potential interruptions (Lyck et al., 2012). Public authorities and festival organizers must work together to guarantee everyone’s safety and avoid any unwanted effects on the neighborhood. In terms of the quantity, scope, and location of festivals in Leicester, for example, the Leicester City Council has provided rules for festival planners (Leicester City Council, 2023). The council restricts the number of events to prevent festivals from harming the environment and nearby populations. To lessen the impact of events on local infrastructure, the council also mandates festival organizers to submit a traffic control plan (Newbold et al., 2015). Controlling ensures that festivals are sustainable and do not harm the environment or the neighborhood. The ability of governmental authorities to control is crucial to the success of commercial events. For instance, the local government controls the traffic, noise levels, and safety precautions at the Notting Hill Carnival to protect the attendees’ safety (Newbold & Jordan, 2016). With more than 2 million attendees annually, the carnival has a sizeable economic impact on the U.K., bringing in more than £93 million in revenue (Newbold & Jordan, 2016). The local government’s regulatory function, which ensures the event complies with safety and regulatory requirements, is crucial to the festival’s success.
Another crucial duty of public authorities is to ensure the security of festivalgoers (GOV.UK, 2022). Festivals in the U.K. are subject to several safety laws, such as those governing first aid supplies, crowd management, and fire safety. In order to protect the security of visitors, festivals must also implement sufficient security measures (Newbold et al., 2015). At festivals, the police and other emergency services might be present to help in an emergency. The council’s event safety policy, which sets the safety criteria for events hosted in Leicester, must be followed by festivals there (Deventer, 2015). The Leicester City Council requires festival planners to have a thorough health and safety plan in place. To make events safe, the council also mandates that festival organizers include first aid stations, fire safety precautions, and risk assessments (Newbold et al., 2019). Safety must be prioritized for festivals to be fun and sustainable for all attendees. Public authorities may collaborate with law enforcement organizations to guarantee that security is maintained throughout the event. For instance, the U.K. government collaborates closely with the Glastonbury Festival organizers to guarantee the safety of almost 200,000 people (Newbold et al., 2015). In not-for-profit festivals, the safety influence of governmental authorities is particularly crucial. For instance, public authorities collaborate closely with the organizers to guarantee that safety regulations are met, and dangers are kept to a minimum during the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Every year, the festival draws over 2 million visitors and contributes more than £200 million to the U.K. economy (Newbold & Jordan, 2016). It is impossible to overstate the festival’s value in showcasing the cultural heritage of the U.K. and its positive effects on the local economy. Therefore, it is crucial that public authorities have a favorable safety impact on assuring the success and continuance of the event.
The last effect of public authority on festivals is marketing. In the U.K., public bodies frequently use a variety of media outlets, such as social media, press releases, and advertising campaigns, to promote festivals (Eventbrite, 2022). According to Kelly (2019), festivals can gain a lot from the publicity created by public authorities because this can increase visitor numbers and produce more financial gains. To guarantee that their marketing messages are consistent with governmental aims and values, the author states that festivals must collaborate closely with public authorities. Local governments may also advertise festivals that fall under their purview through various marketing platforms, including social media, regional news sources, and travel websites. According to Newbold and Jordan (2016), media coverage of festivals can also be advantageous because it can increase public knowledge of the event and draw more visitors. To reach a larger audience, public authorities may also collaborate with the media to promote the festival. For instance, the local government funds the marketing and P.R. efforts for the Liverpool International Music Festival. To reach a larger audience, they also collaborate with the media (Kelly, 2019). In commercial festivals, the marketing impact of public authorities is crucial. For instance, the U.K. government funds the marketing and public relations efforts for London Fashion Week. One of the most prominent events, the occasion brings in over £100 million for the U.K. economy (Pappas, 2015).
Conclusion
In conclusion, whether festivals are for profit or not, the U.K. government significantly influences them. In order to ensure festivals’ success and foster cultural and economic development in local communities, their support is essential. Public authorities might offer financial assistance, logistical support, and licenses to ensure that events run efficiently and securely. Through advertising and marketing activities, they can also aid in promoting festivals. Festivals that are not for profit frequently lack the financial resources and organizational capabilities of commercial events, making them primarily dependent on public authority backing. Many of these events would be unable to occur or have difficulty drawing crowds without this backing. On the other hand, commercial events frequently benefit from more substantial financial and marketing budgets. However, they also gain from the assistance of public authorities, especially when it comes to issuing permits and maintaining public safety. In conclusion, it is imperative that U.K. government agencies support festivals. Whether for profit or not, festivals are crucial in fostering culture, a sense of community, and economic progress. The success and sustainability of these events depend heavily on the support of the public sector.
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