Why aren't cultural events free?

Fri, 27 Jan 2023 14:17:56 GMT

With many cultural events, there's sometimes an expectation for them to be free to access. But why should they be?

Cultural events are a fundamental part of society and provide a way for people to experience new perspectives and ideas, and to connect with others who share their interests. Therefore, many people believe that cultural events should be free to access, and that charging admission is a barrier to enjoyment.

Well, we agree! But while it may be true that cultural events should be free, the reality is that whether it's you or not, somewhere down the line, someone is paying for it. There are several reasons why this is the case:

Production costs: Putting on a cultural event requires significant financial investment. From renting the space, to paying performers and artists, to marketing and promotion, there are many costs that must be covered in order to make an event happen.

Paying for talent: Many cultural events rely on the talents of performers, artists, and other professionals. These individuals deserve to be paid for their time and expertise, and charging admission is one way to ensure that they are compensated for their work.

Maintaining quality: In order to attract attendees and keep them coming back, cultural events need to be high-quality and well-produced. This requires ongoing investment in equipment, materials, and personnel, which can often only be sustained through the revenue generated by ticket sales.

Sustainability: Many cultural institutions, like museums, are non-profit organisations, which means that they rely on ticket sales and donations to keep their doors open. Without these revenues, they would not be able to continue offering the same level of programming.

The obvious solution here is that the governments, councils, foundations, trusts, public funds and philanthropists should bare the cost of these events so we don't have to. But the truth is - they do! But it's often still not enough to cover the cost outright. In fact, in most cases, the price you paid for your ticket was significantly reduced due to funding from one of these avenues which without, you might have paid double or triple!

Securing funding is difficult though, for a number of reasons:

Limited funds: Government budgets are often limited, and there are many competing demands for funds. This means that cultural events may not always be a priority, and may not receive the funding they need to operate.

Competition: Cultural events are not the only organisations competing for public funding. Other causes, such as education, health care, and infrastructure, may be seen as more pressing needs.

Bureaucracy: Securing public funding often involves navigating complex bureaucratic processes, which can be time-consuming and difficult to navigate. This can make it difficult for cultural organisations to secure the funding they need in a timely manner.

Political priorities: Public funding is often influenced by political priorities, which can change from year to year. This can make it difficult for cultural organisations to plan for the long term, and can lead to uncertainty about the level of funding they will receive.

Lack of awareness: Many people may not be aware of the importance of cultural events, or the role that public funding plays in supporting them. This can make it difficult to secure support from elected officials and the general public.

And let's remember what you get out of such events: memorable experiences, socialisation, relaxation, enrichment, perspective, ideas, mobility, fun, and the list goes on - why wouldn't you pay for that?

Of course, there are times when these experiences simply aren't financially viable for certain groups or areas which is why Baccanalia does all it to squish that ticket price down as far as possible. Since November 2021, we've facilitated over 2,100 free ticket to events in our programmes to widen access where it might otherwise not have been possible. We've also hosted activities that don't require tickets at all.

So remember, when we do charge for participation, it's because we have to in order to make the event possible.

Why you can't have a refund

Wed, 30 Nov 2022 22:22:53 GMT

Ever wondered why it's never straightforward to get a refund on tickets and sometimes alternatives are offered instead? Well, it's not just because event organisers don't want to part with your cash. Here are some reasons why refunds can be a headache for producers.

1. We don't have your money
It might sound like a lie, but it's true. Unlike simple product sales that take place online or at a till, tickets require a much more rigorous sales process. We'll do another blog post on why selling tickets is complicated but it all boils down to most websites' sales platforms not having the necessary functions. Therefore, third-party booking systems known as 'box offices' are often used.

When separate businesses handle and hold the cash you paid for your ticket, access to that money is limited until it's handed over to producers after an event. This can be further complicated when tickets are sold through multiple box offices at once which is done to reach a wider customer base.

Although you might not realise it, you sometimes buy your tickets to events from an entirely different business to the event organisers'. So when it comes to refunds, it's a bit like asking ASDA for a refund on something you bought at TESCO.

2. We don't know your card details
In a scenario where an event organiser wants to issue you with a refund, we sometimes don't have the mechanism to do so. Once the business who took your money (the box office) hands over the cash to us, usually after the event, our relationship with them ends and they transfer a lump sum into our bank. At no point do we have access to your card details unless we own the box office system, which often isn't the case because they're expensive. Once money has moved through multiple handlers, it's not as simple as clicking a button labelled 'refund'.

3. We know you're going to complain about your booking fees

For the pleasure of using a third-party box office, you have to pay for it just like anything else. And rightly so - we'll do another blog post on why booking fees are important. These fees belong to the ticketing operator, not us, which is why we have no power to refund them. Why they don't refund booking fees is because they've fulfilled their obligation to you by handling your booking transaction. Arguably, you get your refund for free, when there is cause to charge again for this additional service.

4. You already ate the burger

When event goers feel that their experience was subpar for whatever reason and then after the event has finished, go home and a few days later email the organiser to request a refund, it's too late. Staying until the end of an event and then asking for a refund is like eating a burger in a restaurant and when you've finished, protesting you didn't like it.

When all is said and done, event organisers know that none of these issues are your problem and where a refund is genuinely deserved, a way can be found to give one. In any case, organisers must always weigh up the circumstances and context surrounding refund requests and make a decision as to whether it should be granted, which is hardly ever black and white.

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Why aren't cultural events free?

With many cultural events, there's sometimes an expectation for them to be free to access. But why should they be?

Why you can't have a refund