What does a Festival Director do?

A Festival Director works behind the scenes of an event, from the earliest planning stages to when the performances are taking place. They programme the shows and liaise with Producers, vendors (people/organisations selling something), city officials and on-site staff as well as Production / Logistics Managers of the festival.

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What are the main responsibilities of a Festival Director?

Programme shows and events
Deals and contracts
Hiring spaces
Ensure everyone has everything they need
Deal with the city where the festival will be held and ensure permits are in place to do this
Build relationships with companies within the community of that location
Manage the location, employees, oversee the setup and breakdown (i.e. building the stage and taking it down)
Deal with contractors
Create materials such as maps and signage
Ensure the festival receives adequate insurance coverage

What qualifications do I need to be a Festival Director?

A Festival Director can have a variety of different duties to fulfil and because of this they can be employed based on a variety of experiences they may have. Formal qualifications are not essential although they would help in any of the following areas:

Events
Event Management
Business Administration
Merchandising
Music Business
Arts Management
Finance
Marketing
Public Relations

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What skills do I need to be a Festival Director?

Due to the fact there are so many duties within this role you must have a varied skill set. These can include:

Organisation
Reliability
Ability to manage a team
Ability to think outside the box
Problem solving
Attention to detail
Time management
Creativity

What does a career as a Festival Director look like?

There are a number of different work experiences, internships and apprenticeships available within this area of work. Additionally build on your skill set by volunteering at these types of events and attend as many events as you can to meet people that are working within the industry already, such as the Edinburgh Fringe and smaller scale arts festivals. Make sure you do have travel and expenses covered when volunteering as these can become expensive placements.

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How much does a Festival Director earn?

Festival Directors are often salaried roles, however this can vary depending on the size of the festival. This position is a highly ranked position within the organisation's structure of a festival and some have ownership within the event which means their income is dependent on its success.

The above is a guide. Pay, salary or fee can vary depending on the theatre or company, as well as your personal experience. National institutions or commercial productions can pay in excess of the above, with profit-share or community theatre paying less.

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