STREET ARTISTS IN EUROPE - Fondazione Fitzcarraldo

Street Artists in Europe
festival usually organises certain things to make the experience useful and productive for
programmers:
(a)there is likely to be detailed information on all the companies performing, including contact
information - some festivals have a book.
(b)the programme is carefully composed so that all (or nearly all) shows can be seen over the
festival period.
(c)festival staff are available to help programmers find their way, meet other programmers and
artists and make the most of the festival.
(d)sometimes programmers have access to the artists rest space, so communication can result
there.
(e)a few festivals get financial aid to enable programmers (usually only international ) to have
free accommodation.
(f) there may be talks, discussions and proposals from companies with ‘work in progress’ or
plans for new shows that they would like to find commissioning partners.
Showcase festivals are extremely useful ways of finding work. Programmers are well advised to
see work ‘live’ as well as guessing what it is like from publicity. The Cultural Industry
Departments /Cultural Offices of Chambers of Commerce in towns across Europe could play an
active role in encouraging the opportunities afforded by such market places. In addition, the
British Council has been known to pay travel costs for programmers coming from other
countries to see British work, more cultural institutes may start to do this too.
6.2. Numerical Findings on Festival composition (60 festivals mainland Europe, not UK)
Festivals’ annual budget for street arts: this ranged enormously from:
Over 1 million Euros 6 only 1 Holland, 1 Belgium, 1 Denmark*, 1 Spain, 2 France.
500 000 - 1 million 2 only Belgium, France.
100 000 - 499 999 20 mostly Belgium, Holland, France.
50 000 - 99 999 19 across Europe.
under 50, 000 14 included all Swiss and Italian festivals.
No answer 12
*I think this includes indoor programming
6.3. Number of outdoor companies per edition
A huge variation, depending on whether festivals ‘bought’ existing shows or ‘commissioned’
new site specific work
Budgets of Number of Outdoor Companies Programmed
Over 1 million 235, 20, 4-6 (where festival has only a small % of outdoor work).
500 000 - 1 million 20.
100 000 - 500 00010 - 60, with the majority 20 - 40.
50 000 - 100 000 10 - 30, most 15 - 20.
under 50 000 10 - 30, most 20 - 25.
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PE 375.307