Written evidence submitted by the Association
of Festival Organisers (arts 03)
If I could lay some evidence before the Committee
on behalf of the Association of Festival Organisers; The Association
of Festival Organisers (AFO) is a membership group of like-minded
festival and event managers who believe in learning and teaching,
sharing and networking to continuously improve the festival scene.
Created in 1987 when a small gathering of people working in the
community festival business it now has hundreds of members who
regularly exchange ideas, support one another help develop our
sector.
In answer to the enquiry's questions:
1. Impact—recent and future spending
cuts
Folk music has for many years been in, what
could be described as, revival ie the music, dance and song and
tradition of these islands has been with us for centuries but
only since the 1950's has it had much public attention, since
virtually dying out at the end of the 19th Century. During this
revival period, achieving funding from Government and commercial
organizations has been extremely difficult but in recent years,
no more than 15, there has been more serious attention paid to
the saving of, research and development of folk roots and traditional
music.
In comparison to other genres it is still very
small. Where it could be said that the English folk scene survived
perfectly well for over 50 years without much funding, the small
amount we now have is making a difference and clearly would be
seriously missed both at national and local level. The impact
is already starting to bite in major events like folk festivals
some of which are losing funding and in some cases closing down.
Any future cuts in support of folk music might seem small fry
to DCMS, or indeed the Arts Council but they make a major difference
to the activity.
2. I would agree that arts organizations
could work more closely together to avoid duplication and indeed
this is happening in the festival and folk music scene with FolkArts
England and EFDSS sharing knowledge, the Association of Festival
Organisers working closely with over 150 folk festivals to share
our knowledge and keep each other up to date. There are strong
links into the Events industry in general. However, the organisations
with such little funding often seem like the poor version partner
in these partnerships.
3. Level of public subsidy necessary
There is no doubt at all that Arts and Heritage
organisations need public subsidy. The economics of supporting
arts development and training simply do not stack up commercially
and in the current economic climate it is unlikely that commercial
organisations will make any contribution. It would be hard to
judge what level would be necessary but certainly any serious
reduction would have a major impact.
4. Current System
On behalf of the festival organisations I would
say the current system has many flaws in that DCMS hand down funds
to Arts Council England who have particular targets and rarely
pay attention to the will, the needs and the partial successes
that are available ie no matter how important or good the project
may be, if it doesn't fit the Arts Council criteria, it doesn't
happen. I would suggest that more attention is paid to seeking
what the organisation's targets actually are before deciding whether
they should be funded, rather than setting those targets and asking
the organisation to modify to suit ACE criteria.
5. Impact of changes to distribution
I have little knowledge of these changes but
understand that National Lottery funds are crucial to the development
of the Arts. However, central Government funds should not be replaced
by National Lottery funds. I believe there is very strong evidence
to demonstrate that taxpayer's money is extremely well invested
in the arts and in particular in folk roots and traditional music.
Pound for pound it gives extremely good value and return. Witness
this through economic impact of folk festivals—see AFO research
attached.[1]
6. Guidelines for National Lottery funding
review
See above.
7. I have no comment on the abolition of
the Film Council, or the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council
but would strengthen the point that DCMS should pay more attention
to this nations heritage of music, dance and song without necessarily
devolving on mass to the Arts Council, who then set targets reference
to minority musics and art forms.
8. Business and philanthropists
I think in the current economic climate it is
unlikely that commercial funders of the arts are likely to come
forward in any great numbers. Taxpayers money is very well used
in my sector, witness the research as above.
9. Government incentive to commercial donation
Yes, it would be helpful but should not be seen
as a way of cutting Government funding.
In closing, there is no doubt at all that the
folk music scene in Great Britain has boosted tourism, assisted
in community integration, developed a recognition of culture heritage
and nationality. It's work overspills into many other areas of
Government, not least of which include community life, social
and economic impact, both local and national and education through
music, dance and song. Not only should funding not be cut in this
area, I would suggest it be expanded and not necessarily through
one central body.
August 2010
1 Ev not printed. Back
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