A wide range of cultural activities lend themselves to operation through the medium of a charity on grounds similar to those which apply with heritage property. Exhibitions and festivals for music, performing and visual arts are regularly run through charitable organisations.
A particular feature of such events is the fragility of their funding. Trustees are regularly obliged to enter commitments to engage artists, or accept other forward obligations, before their revenue sources are secure. Risk protection of the trustees as well as the charities themselves is, therefore, an important feature. Additionally, as with heritage and conservation charities, there is often a need to work closely with local authority, central government or other funding agencies. Of their nature, charities in this category can sometimes suffer from the fact that their key supporters may lack financial experience.