The British Council has joined hands with Edinburgh Napier University to invite applications to the South Asia Festivals & Culture Academy (SAFCA). In response to the growth of independent and established arts and culture festivals, this academy will facilitate ways to succeed in the festival industry.
This pioneering initiative intends to bridge the gap between festival enthusiasts and industry experts, facilitating an exchange of knowledge and insights online in India and neighbouring South Asian countries. The South Asia Festivals Academy’s intermediate course will begin in January 2024, with applications open until November 19, 2023.
SAFCA features a series of short courses specifically designed to equip festival managers with the skills essential for success in the ever-evolving festival landscape. These courses cover international programming and curation, leadership and governance, financial management, operations and staffing, marketing and audience development, risk management and health and safety, equality, diversity, and inclusion as well as environmental sustainability.
“Festival managers must have the skills necessary to increase the sustainability and growth of festivals worldwide. The South Asia Festivals & Culture Academy is a fantastic opportunity for artists, performers, and those working in the festivals sector to develop their business skills in an inclusive environment and learn from international experts and each other. We are committed to enhancing the richness, excellence, and variety of festivals between UK and India while strengthening the arts and culture festival sector through skills development, capacity building, and knowledge sharing,” said Alison Barrett MBE, director India, British Council.
The intermediate course offered by SAFCA is the culmination of three years of experience, having evolved to align with academic BA Honours courses and adapt to the unique South Asian festival and cultural context. The programme is taught by festival academics and experts from both the UK and South Asia. Designed for festival directors, founders, entrepreneurs and senior managers of arts and cultural festivals across South Asia, this is a 10-week immersive, structured skills development programme.
“A course like South Asia Festival & Culture Academy helps you to slow down, consciously think about the individual components that make up a festival and how they integrate and, most importantly, connects you to other festival planners within the South Asian context so you can start to connect the communities each festival builds around it,” said Anushka Jadhav, programme curator, India
The intermediate level course is open to festival directors, founders, entrepreneurs, and senior managers in the arts and culture sector across South Asia. Applications will be considered from those who can demonstrate active experience in a senior leadership role and possess 5–10 years of experience working within the festival and culture sector. The full cost per student is £750, with the British Council providing a subsidy of £500 per student, reducing the total fee to £250.
For detailed information about the South Asia Festival & Culture Academy and to apply for the Intermediate Level course, kindly visit the British Council Website.
