Nine of the UK’s leading book festivals are delighted to announce an exciting new collaboration as they join together in membership of the British Arts Festivals Association (BAFA).
In light of the common funding challenges that arts organisations face and an ever-evolving media landscape, the Edinburgh International Book Festival has united with eight of its peers to create a new platform for discussion and collaboration.
This move to help futureproof literary festivals across the country is made possible courtesy of a generous donation from award-winning, independent publishers Canongate, which will support the festivals’ membership fee.
All nine festivals were until last year sponsored by Baillie Gifford.
Joining Cheltenham and Stratford, who are existing BAFA members, Edinburgh International Book Festival joins the Association alongside other UK book festivals – Borders Book Festival, Cambridge Literary Festival, Hay Festival, Henley Literary Festival, Wigtown Book Festival and Wimbledon BookFest.
BAFA, which has other book festivals as members, offers vital support to UK arts festivals at all levels, from volunteer run organisations to some of the most iconic names in the UK arts calendar including BBC Proms, Cheltenham Jazz Festival, London Soundtrack Festival and many more.
Membership of BAFA will not only offer a shared forum for festivals to liaise and co-ordinate mutual support, bolstering their lobbying power, it will also afford each festival access to additional resources and academic links, as well as discounted services that prove invaluable in the running of large-scale arts events. Ultimately, this new common membership of BAFA will enable a stronger collective voice for communicating the value and benefit of book festivals.
Despite their significant profile in the wider festivals landscape, this will mark the first time that book festivals have engaged in such a UK-wide collaboration.
It is hoped that BAFA will build on the work already achieved by Scottish book festivals via the Scottish Book Festivals Network, collaborating on a national scale and thus reaching a wider audience.
BAFA supports the arts festivals sector through networking, training, advocacy and support. As a united voice for the sector, BAFA champions arts festivals and will be using the findings of its Festivals Forward research, commissioned by BOP Consulting in 2024, to make the case for the sector’s unique contribution not only to the UK’s cultural life but to its audiences and communities.
Annie Ashworth, Director of Stratford Literary Fetsival, said: ‘We have been members of BAFA for many years and enjoyed the benefits.
“Book festivals are a vital part of the UK’s cultural landscape and, by more of us linking with each other under its umbrella, we can share our challenges, best practice and ideas, and offer even more value to audiences, authors and publishers.’
Jenny Niven, Director of Edinburgh International Book Festival, said: ‘We are really excited to announce this partnership. Our group of festivals has been working more collaboratively since last summer, and see real opportunity in continuing to share expertise and strengthening our partnerships.
“Joining BAFA is a great example of how working together can really bolster our collective impact. Book festivals are critical for writers, and are a vital part of both publishing and of the wider cultural landscape.
“We look forward to working together to navigate an ever changing arts landscape and championing the huge value of what we do, all across the UK.’
Fiona Goh, Director of BAFA, said: ‘BAFA is delighted to welcome these acclaimed and diverse literary festivals to our membership, joining other arts festivals from across the UK, including the BBC Proms, Harrogate International Festivals and Cheltenham Festivals.
“We’re looking forward to working together to support book festivals to develop and flourish, and to champion the extraordinary work of these events in enriching the lives of communities across the UK.‘
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