Festival Management

Introduction

During the last couple of decades the number of festivals has increased considerably, and festivals have increasingly become an important arena for art and cultural experiences. Festivals are complex events involving a broad range of players. Artists/performers, audiences, voluntary people and public appropriation bodies play central and different roles in the festivals. In addition, the festivals are typically characterized by a ”mixed economy” where public support, sponsorship funds, voluntary work and ticket revenues, as well as revenues from sales represent important contributions. The course gives an introduction to the festival industry and how it is managed and organized. As part of the course the students will acquire knowledge of theories and concepts that comprise the complexity that festivals represent as cultural events and gatherings.

Course content

• The organization and characteristics of the festival industry
• The organization and management of festivals
• The history and occurrence of festivals
• The importance of festivals locally, nationally and internationally
• The economy of festivals: ticket revenues, sponsorship revenues, public support and voluntary work
• Festivals as arenas for art and culture
• Festivals as part of cultural policy
• Festival voluntariness
• Security and emergency preparedness at major events