ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the brief history of how arts events and their management have developed around the world, since ancient times, includes some of the earliest and most controversial international exhibitions and those in museums and galleries. Ancient Greek arts events were often linked to religious and seasonal festivals, such as the Eleusinian and Dionysian festivals, patronage of the arts was seen by ancient Greek and Roman elites as adding to their personal or family prestige. At the City Dionysia, there were two types of choral competitions, one between choruses of boys, and the other between choruses of men. Ancient Middle Eastern societies rarely celebrated artists individually or in specific arts events, before the advent of invasions by the Greeks and Romans. The Edinburgh International Festival (EIF) was established in 1947. The founders comprised Rudolf Bing, Henry Harvey Wood, and a group of Edinburgh civic leaders.
