Conferences & Training

FolkArts England's Conferences and Training Days provide an invaluable opportunity to learn, share, discuss and network with like-minded people.  They are enormously popular and grow in size year on year.

They continue the ethos of FolkArts England and encourage sharing of ideas, teaching other what you know whilst learning somthing new yourself.

2008 Conference – “Focus on Folk”

20-23 November 2008
Eastwood Hall Conference Centre, Eastwood, Nottingham

Two Focus Days, Two Training Days and a 3-day Festival Conference back in November was a massive success so let’s do it again!  From 20-23 November 2008 we are inviting folk activists, professionals, volunteers, and any other interested parties to join us at the Eastwood Hall Conference Centre, Eastwood, Nr Nottingham. 

Thursday and Friday will bring focus onto two key subjects and we would welcome your ideas on what would be best for you.  We have already been asked to repeat and further develop the Education Day, though decisions have yet to be made, and we would be very interested to hear what you would like. 

Training Days are likely to be on such things as technical issues or working in the education system or programming concerts and major events or . . . ??  What do you feel you need? 

Already confirmed is The Association of Festival Organisers Conference from the evening of Friday 21 November through until lunchtime on Sunday 23 November.  There will be at least two Showcase Concerts for musicians and singers and quite possibly other opportunities to present music.  There will be associated trade stands, agents market and the best networking this year. 

Building on the success of last year’s Focus Days and Conference, we intend to invite key players in the various fields of our music to join panels and discussion groups and further develop folk, roots and traditional music throughout the country.  As always, the event will be subsidised by Arts Council England funding provided to FolkArts England so prices will be within reasonable reach.  Much more detail will follow shortly.

Read the 2007 Conference Report

Past Delegates have said:

"The AFO Conference is a most stimulating and rewarding experience"
Peter Bolton, BAFA development consultant

“It was a great Conference…I feel empowered…and the information I have come away with is invaluable.” 
Sandra Surtees, Shrewsbury Folk Festival

"Immensely interesting and useful" Trish Winter, University of Sunderland

"The most organised and interesting music conference I have ever attended......I am genuinely inspired by what a great industry (folk) is to be involved in"  Tom Rose, Reveal Records