The Joy (And Challenge) Of Festivals
Festivals are a huge part of the cultural offer across the UK and of course in North Yorkshire. Things have changed though as more and more festivals are delivering around the year rather than just for the summer season. In essence, they’re an arts centre without the added challenges of running a building.
That’s not to say festivals aren’t challenging. It’s a really tough financial climate for everyone right now and festivals rely on a broad range of support in order to be viable, particularly as public funding has become increasingly stretched. With over 40 music festivals already cancelled for this year, it is clear that the sector hasn’t returned to where it was pre-pandemic, and set against a landscape of rising costs and reduced public support, it is clear that the case needs to be made for the value of festivals.
Here in Harrogate, our diversification ensures both a busy year, and sets us apart from other organisations. However, it means you’re always on a steep learning curve but never, ever bored!
Want to commission a new event or work with us to try something new – sure…how about a fire festival, a carnival, an installation in a public park or a soundscape. We’ve done them all and more.
What about delivering the cultural programme for the World Cycling Championships – of course, let’s work with some amazing artists to make that happen. Festivals strategy for Welcome to Yorkshire? Yes, that too.
Offering these services takes resource but they also help support our wider work across the year, from chamber concerts in unique spaces, to building pop-up spaces like the Spiegeltent, a Children’s Festival plus two major literature festivals and a series of salons which prompted the Independent to confirm that ‘Harrogate wears the crown of the UK’s bookiest town’.
Underpinning all of that are key partnerships with library networks nationally, acting as a marketing agency for sponsor activation and booking over 2000 hotel bedrooms each year for the internationally renowned Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival.
Of course, our most important work often takes place behind the scenes, with little fanfare; platforms for aspiring young musicians, masterclasses with international artists in our local schools, bursaries and access for developing and debut writers, workshops and free sessions with musicians, writers and orchestras across the arts sector for our young people and communities.
That’s just some of the reasons festivals are important and should be taken seriously. At this time of year though, festivals are a great way for locals to reconnect with where they live and for visitors to discover new favourite places. And herein lies their unique appeal – there’s something for all tastes. In other words they bring people together, and that’s what music and culture is all about.