Festivals: A Look at Perceived Social Impacts of Cultural Events

This summarizes my final project for DMGT 775 Idea Management in Business. My research concept investigated festival organizers’ perceptions of the social impacts of their events on local communities. Information gathered from three festivals were used to capture these impacts. Findings showed that festivals provide a cultural opportunity not usually available in the community. These events also provide showcase for various local cultural groups and artists. Given the social and cultural impacts of many of these events along with its potential to serve as social platform for community engagement, it is evident that further research efforts are needed in this area.

The increasing popularity of festivals together with their potential positive impacts in host communities, has led to a growing body of research on the impacts of festivals and events. The economic implications associated with festivals and special events are substantial, yet their social implications may be even more profound. Unfortunately, much research has focused on assessing the economic impact or success of festivals, with only limited attention to the social context of those events. The purpose of this research was to explore the festival organizers’ perceptions of the social impacts of festivals, and seek insights for design management as regards to what community engagement means in terms of sustainable practice of planning and managing festivals and cultural events.

FestivalsA Look at Perceived Social Impacts of Cultural Events