standardfester
Standardfester is a term used in festival studies and event management to describe a framework for planning recurring community festivals that emphasizes standardized procedures and modular program design. It is not a single event; rather, it is a set of guidelines intended to improve efficiency, inclusivity, and replicability across different locales.
The term emerged in scholarly and professional discussions in the early 2010s as municipalities and cultural
Core elements include a fixed governance template (roles, decision rights, and timelines), program modules with interchangeable
Organizations may adopt a standardfester kit consisting of checklists, contract templates, budget templates, and evaluation forms.
Benefits cited include reduced planning lead times, cost savings through bulk procurement, easier benchmarking, and improved
Critics argue that over-reliance on standardization can suppress local identity, stifle artistic risk, and marginalize small
While not tied to a specific festival, the concept has been discussed in case studies and practitioner