£5,000 bursary for small independent festivals announced by AIF and Skiddle

Supporting "the very smallest of festivals so they can get help when they need it, all year long.

Independent ticketing platform Skiddle and the Association of Independent Festivals (AIF) have teamed up to create a new £5,000 bursary for small independent festivals.

The financial initiative will offer "professional support and guidance" for up to 20 small festivals with a capacity of 2,500 or less and include a year-long membership to AIF.

There will also be webinars, legal support and advice and various other resources available to successful applicants.

There is no manual to running a festival, but there is a network of nearly 200 festival organisers at AIF who come together to share, borrow, ask and help each other build and create their own individual events," said AIF CEO John Rostron.

Taking a punt on a membership of something unknown is often a big ask for an operator, but we’ve seen what that’s done for the festivals who were successful last year, and are delighted that this new bursary scheme from Skiddle will support the very smallest of festivals so they can get help when they need it, all year long," he added.

Interested festivals (active for two years or more) can apply for the bursary here. Applications close on 17th September.

In July, the UK Government revealed it was adding a £15 million boost to its existing Music Growth Package, resulting in a new £45 million Music Plan to support the grassroots sector, artists and businesses.

Earlier this year, Music Venue Trust (MVT) also launched its RAISE THE STANDARD initiative to fund equipment upgrades at grassroots venues and an “ethical” ticket resale platform Ticket9.