A Milestone That Belongs to Many
In 1986, arts and cultural organizations managed events with paper diaries, manual updates and siloed records. Information traveled slowly, and operational visibility depended on individual knowledge. Yet the ambition was the same as it is today: to create meaningful experiences that bring people together.
Forty years later, the tools have transformed. Real-time reporting, cloud platforms, compliance standards and integrated systems are now embedded in daily operations. At the same time, complexity has increased. Multi-purpose venues host performances, conferences, education programs and private rentals, often within a single day.
Forty years is rare in technology. In arts and culture technology, it is even rarer. That longevity matters in a landscape where operational demands continue to grow and stability is essential.
As Artifax marks its 40th anniversary, this milestone belongs not only to us but to the venues, institutions and teams who have trusted us. Our story has never been separate from the sector. It has always been shaped by it.
Designed Around Real-World Complexity
Arts and cultural organizations operate in uniquely demanding environments. A venue may host rehearsals in the morning, a corporate conference in the afternoon and a public performance in the evening. Technical teams manage intricate production requirements. Finance departments require precision and accountability. Event managers balance stakeholders, deadlines and shifting priorities.
Behind every performance is a complex web of coordination that must work seamlessly.
From the beginning, Artifax was built to bring clarity to that complexity. The goal was not simply to digitize a diary, but to create a structured system that reflects how multi-purpose venues actually operate.
While many event tools were later adapted for cultural use, Artifax was designed around the arts and live events from day one. Its evolution has therefore been guided by the lived experience of venue managers, programmers, technical directors and finance teams.
Over time, functionality has expanded, integrations have deepened and reporting has strengthened. However, one purpose has remained constant: provide a reliable single source of truth that connects departments and supports confident decision-making.
When teams trust their data, planning becomes clearer. As a result, duplication decreases, communication improves and space opens for creativity and strategic thinking.
That principle continues to guide us.
Built on Partnership, Not Transactions
Technology may be the product, but partnership has always been the foundation.
Forty years in business are not sustained by features alone. They are sustained by listening carefully, responding thoughtfully and sharing a long-term perspective with the organizations we support. Many of our customers have worked with us for years, and some for decades. Those relationships reflect collaboration, consistency and mutual respect.
We do not approach our work as a short-term vendor arrangement. Instead, we see ourselves as part of the wider ecosystem within arts and culture.
Our teams in the UK and North America work closely with customers to understand objectives, refine workflows and support continuous improvement. As we continue to grow in North America, that regional presence reinforces our commitment to serving organizations locally as well as globally.
Customer feedback consistently shapes our development. Enhancements and integrations often begin with real operational conversations. Consequently, Artifax evolves alongside the sector rather than apart from it.
Partnership is not simply something we describe. It is how we work.
Stability and Investment for the Long Term
In 2019, Artifax became part of Volaris, a global organization that acquires and holds companies with a permanent investment philosophy.
This strengthened our long-term stability while allowing us to retain our sector focus. Volaris does not acquire businesses to resell them. Instead, they invest with continuity and sustained development in mind.
In a market where some technology providers are built for rapid scale and exit, our structure is intentionally different. We are positioned for decades, not funding cycles. For the organizations we work with, that means systems, data and institutional knowledge are supported by a company built for permanence, not transition.
Longevity has always defined Artifax. Being part of Volaris reinforces that commitment for the future.
What Forty Years Means for You
Forty years represents accumulated experience inside environments like yours.
It means the platform you rely on has been shaped by real operational pressure. Programming decisions, rental logistics, technical requirements and financial oversight are daily realities that have influenced how Artifax has developed over time.
It also means continuity. Funding landscapes shift. Digital expectations evolve. In that environment, long-term partnership reduces uncertainty. Your data and processes are supported by a company structured for permanence rather than short-term transition.
Experience, however, does not mean standing still. Perspective allows thoughtful evolution. New technologies are introduced carefully. Integrations are developed with practical impact in mind. Change is implemented in ways that respect the demands placed on your teams.
Most importantly, forty years reflects shared belief. The work your organization does matters. It strengthens communities, supports creativity and brings people together. Our role is to provide clarity behind the scenes so your teams can focus on delivering that impact.
Experience and stability combined with forward movement. That is what forty years represents.
Innovation With Purpose
The Artifax of today is not the Artifax of 1986. Technology has advanced. Expectations have increased. Compliance requirements have grown more rigorous.
For us, innovation is always purposeful. It begins with a practical question: what will make coordination clearer, reporting stronger and collaboration easier across departments?
Funding models are shifting. Governance scrutiny is increasing. Audiences expect seamless experiences. Within this environment, operational clarity is strategic.
We continue to invest in secure infrastructure, modern integrations and connected workflows that help organizations operate confidently in an increasingly digital landscape. At the same time, usability and reliability remain central. Innovation must support real-world work, not complicate it.
A Shared Achievement and a Shared Future
Reaching forty years is a meaningful milestone, yet it is not one we claim alone.
It reflects the trust of the venues and institutions who chose to work with us. It reflects the expertise of the teams who implemented and refined the platform. It reflects the colleagues past and present who contributed their dedication and insight.
Most of all, it reflects shared progress.
The next forty years will bring new challenges and new opportunities. Technologies will evolve. Audience behaviors will shift. Expectations for transparency and collaboration will continue to rise.
Our role remains clear: provide clarity in complexity, act as a trusted long-term partner and evolve in step with the sector we serve.
We are proud of the journey so far. We are grateful for the partnerships that made it possible. We look forward to supporting the next chapter of your organization’s story.