Norfolk & Norwich Festival
Norfolk & Norwich Festival is a charity and an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation. Made up of one of the country’s longest running arts festivals and a region-wide programme of creative engagement that particularly focuses on improving the cultural offer for children and young people.
Each May, the Festival transforms public spaces, city streets, performance venues, parks, forests and beaches, bringing people together to experience the same brilliant and inspirational events. The flagship arts festival for the East of England, our world-class programme spans music, theatre, literature, visual arts, circus, dance and free outdoor events.
We bring some of this festival spirit to our year-round work where we collaborate with communities, schools and artists to bring outstanding events and projects that provide inspiration and nurture creativity in those who need our support most.
Impact on Local Communities
Norfolk & Norwich Festival brings tens of thousands of people together in celebration – it has been doing this for 250 years. Through the May festival and year-round arts education work, focusing on children and young people, they lead and support celebration, creativity and curiosity in communities across Norfolk and the region.
This year was the first of an exciting new initiative, Festival Connect & Create, bringing creative opportunities to those schools and communities with least provision. Creativity transforms people’s lives. It builds cohesive communities, develops vital skills and supports health and wellbeing. Norfolk & Norwich Festival want more people to have access to creative opportunities.
What's Happening at Norfolk & Norwich Festival
Norfolk & Norwich Festival runs every May for 17 days, taking over and transforming the local streets with innovative and explorative performances, bringing outdoor arts to the masses of the local public and anyone else who wishes to experience them.
Norfolk Open Studios runs from late September to early October and is a well-loved annual event celebrating the creativity and talent of Norfolk makers and creators. Artists at all stages of their careers, from school and college students through to emerging artists and established and professional artists, take part each year welcoming visitors into their working space to share their work and skills, and sell their art.
Images credits:
Banner image and What’s Happening – Fragile, photographed by Dave Guttridge, © Norfolk & Norwich Festival
Slideshow – © Norfolk & Norwich Festival