With the outdoor sector set to lead the way in cultural recovery, we’re thrilled to announce our largest-ever programme of outdoor arts shows for 2021.

Our first post-COVID programme brings together 21 extraordinary artists, some of whom are new to the sector as well as more established street artists, to create new exciting work for the public space. From the epic to the intimate, the programme explores social justice, family relationships, environmentalism, identity, and more – showing the power of Outdoor Arts to unite people in towns, cities and rural communities.

You will see a few familiar faces from last year’s programme; we are honouring our commitment to the companies that could not tour because of lockdown and we are excited to see them on the road.

With the Government’s roadmap out of lockdown giving us some confidence about the return of outdoor performance this summer, audiences can see this ambitious programme at festivals across England from May 2021. The work will be presented in a way that is safe, responsible, and celebratory for everyone.

The projects in the 2021 programme will appear at festivals including Brighton Festival, Certain Blacks’ Ensemble Festival, Norfolk & Norwich Festival, City Encounters by Wiltshire Creative, Greenwich+Docklands International Festival, Timber Festival, Hat Fair, Just So Festival and more – check out our confirmed festival dates here.

Meet the Full 2021 Programme 

Click on any of the new programme titles to find out more about each of the artists.

Arrivals + Departures by YARA + DAVINA

Black Victorians by Jeanefer-Jean Charles

Bonded by Alleyne Dance

Do What Yah Mamma Told Yah! by Just More Productions

Future Cargo by Requardt & Rosenberg

Good Youtes Walk by Far From the Norm

The Hidden Music of Trees by  Jason Singh

IRMÃ-sister by  DAMAEDANCE

The Invisible Man by Altered States 

Lost Opera by Ashley Peevor & Nikki Watson

MayFly by Kapow Dance Circus Theatre

MEarth Mothers by Beady Eye

The Rascally Diner by LAStheatre

Recovery Poems by Emergency Exit Arts, Robert Montgomery and Deanna Rodger

Robot Selfie by Kaleider 

Roll Play by Simple Cypher

Strong Enough by Strong Lady Productions

TOAST by Pif-Paf Theatre

Up My Street by The Cultural Assembly

What Happened to You? by Nikki Charlesworth

Why? by Gravity & Levity

We will be share information about tour dates on our website and our social media – so connect with us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. And we would like to thank everyone involved for their creativity, kindness, patience and notably Arts Council England for giving us the financial means to continue investing in artists during such unprecedented times.

Read our full press release here