Festival Makers Conference Ticket

FESTIVAL MAKERS Days 1 & 2

Day 1 – Thursday 21^st May

Day One opens with welcoming remarks, the inaugural Mark Newell Memorial keynote address by festival-maker and cultural pioneer, Shona McCarthy, and sector-focused conversations exploring the current festival landscape. Delegates will share perspectives and learning whilst having the time and opportunity for networking and collective reflection. Topics include impact measurement in festivals, festival resource organisation, research and views from the field where festivals share their work and innovations. This day features an evening reception.

Venues: Hawk’s Well Theatre, Temple Street, Sligo and Reception in The Factory Performance Space Blue Raincoat Theatre Company, Lower Quay Street, Sligo.

VENUE: Hawkswell Theatre

11:30am Registration and Information Stands

12:30pm Welcome Address

12.50pm Introduction to the Keynote Speaker

13.00pm ‘Mark Newell Memorial’ - Keynote Address followed by ‘Festivals in focus’ Q&A

2.30pm ‘The Grand Stretch’ - AI and Festival Horizons

15:45pm Networking Break and presentation of ‘Monk’ by Artist in Focus - Bettina Seitz commissioned by Tread Softly Festival.

16.15pm* Information Sessions – Presentations on projects in support of the festival ecology

16.15pm* Side Bar 1:Impact Measurement in Festivals – Learnings from the 3-year pilot

17.15pm+ ‘8 x 5’ Innovations from the field - Five Minutes pitches by eight Festival Makers

17.15pm+ Side Bar 2: ‘Partnership in action’ - How local authorities are shaping the festival landscape

18.00-18.15pm Ends

* Delegates choose one of the 2 electives. for the session at 16:15pm and the session at 17:15pm 

VENUE: The Factory

18:30-21:00pm Sligo County Council and Arts Council Reception including light dinner (Venue: The Factory, Performance Space, Lower Quay St, Rath Edmond, Sligo)

Day 2 – Friday 22^nd May

Day Two will focus on practice and exchange, featuring panels, workshops, and assemblies which foster sectoral cooperation. Topics include how festivals support artists, audience development, regional collaboration, and business sustainability. Participants will engage in discussion-led sessions designed to share knowledge, develop skills, and strengthen sector connections.

VENUE:  The Factory, Performance Space, Lower Quay St, Rath Edmond, Sligo

09:15am Breakfast Registration for Workshop 1 only

09:30am-12.30pm Workshop 1+ Operating in Wicked Environments with Albert Quigley, Max Capacity 18

+ Please note that this workshop is three hours in duration and takes place at a separate location to the main conference venue.

VENUE : The Model, Home of The Niland Collection, Sligo

09:30am Light Breakfast & Registration for all other Workshops, Assemblies and Panels

10:00-11:30am* Workshop 2 - Developing Audiences in changing times with Dr Lucy Costello Max, Capacity 30

10:00-11:30am* Workshop 3Building an effective business plan with Professor Gary Kerr, and Professor Jane Ali-Knight, Max Capacity 50

10:00-11:30am* Assembly 1- Mentoring in Festivals with Monica Spencer, Max Capacity 50

10:00-11:30am* Panel 1 – Festival Clusters - Festival Making in the Regions and Regional Hubs

10:00-11:30am* Panel 2 – ‘The Artist Economy’. How Festivals, Value, develop and sustain artists and artist practices.

11:30amQuick Break

11:45am-1.15pm* Workshop 2++ - Developing Audiences in changing times with Dr Lucy Costello, Max Capacity 30

11:45am-1.15pm* Workshop 3 ++Building an effective business plan with Professor Gary Kerr, and Dr Mary McGuckin, Max Capacity 50

11:45am-1.15pm* Assembly 2 - Taking the pulse and seeding the future with Dr David Teevan

11:45am-1.15pm* Panel 3 – Sustainability, Adaptability and Social Architecture

11:45am-1.15pm* Panel 4 – Next Generation ‘Future Festival Makers- – the voice of the young person in festivals

13:15-13.30pm Closing Remarks and final gathering with photos

14:00pm Festivals Makers Connect – Introductory Session and Welcome – with Create and the British Council, Max Capacity 80

14.45pm Ends

* Delegates choose one of the 5 electives. for the session at 10am and the session at 11:45am

++ Please note that these workshops are a repeat from earlier.

Please note that the programme is correct at time of publication. It may be subject to change and the programme updated accordingly.

General privacy notice - The Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon

This event will be filmed and photographed. Content may be used for promotional purposes on the website and social media. By attending, you consent to being filmed. If you have concerns, please contact the event staff upon arrival.