The Associate Touring Network is a group of nine festivals who are working together to extend the reach and benefits of the existing Without Walls programme in areas where there is low engagement with the arts. Supported by Arts Council England through the Strategic Touring Programme, it is a three-year project that aims to strengthen the outdoor sector and enable audiences across England to enjoy the highest quality new work produced by British artists.
Festivals and organisation involved in the project are:
The Big Feast (28 – 30 August 2015)
Appetite is a CPP project which aims to get more people in Stoke-on-Trent to experience and be inspired by the arts by presenting a feast of tasty family-friendly events featuring world-class artists, shows and activities.
Bradford Festival
12 – 14 June
The Bradford Festival brings a vibrant, colourful and multicultural programme of the very best international, British and local theatre, art, music and dance right into the heart of the Bradford.
Derby Festé
25 – 26 September
Derby Festé is the highlight of Derby’s events calendar, a fantastic outdoor spectacular with live performances, music, dance, film and more.
Freedom Festival, Hull
4 – 6 September
Freedom Festival celebrates, through artistic and cultural expression. The programme of street theatre, music, comedy, performance and visual arts is aimed at a wide audience, bringing renowned national and international artists to Hull while providing significant opportunities for local and regional artists.
Fuse Medway Festival
13 – 14 June
The Fuse Medway Festival takes place in three towns across Medway. Gillingham, Chatham and Rochester will play host to high-quality outdoor arts entertainment from local and international performers.
Showzam (14-18 Feb 2015) & SpareParts (19 July 2015)
LeftCoast is Blackpool and Wyre’s Creative People & Places Programme and dedicated to bringing amazing arts direct to the area using developing extraordinary ideas in extraordinary places with support from extraordinary people.
Out There International Festival, Great Yarmouth
18 – 20 September
The Out There Festival is the largest festival of it’s kind in the east of England and has built a national and international reputation for presenting world-class artistic quality, new and diverse work, regional artistic talent, international collaboration, innovative community engagement and a and rich mix of indoor and outdoor performance.
So Festival, Skegness
25 June – 5 July
SO Festival transforms Lincolnshire’s coastal district of East Lindsey into an international arts venue with spectacular visual art, street theatre, world-class performers and dance acts.
Birmingham Hippodrome
Summer in Southside (29 – 30 August) & Birmingham Weekender (25 – 27 September)
Summer in Southside livens up the streets of Southside with the best in outdoor theatre, dance, circus and music.
Without Walls Associate Touring Network is managed by XTRAX, an organisation which supports inspirational outdoor performance; running projects, festivals and showcases designed to promote innovative outdoor work from UK and international artists.