The HF ArtsFest brings local artists together with local audiences. We focus on reaching people who may not normally attend arts events by making events friendly, local and free or low cost. A key part of our strategy in making the festival a celebration for everyone is the Big Red Bus which takes the festival to the people. On board the bus are professional artists ready to run community workshops for a wide range of people. The workshops are free and offer local people a chance to get involved in music, craft, visual arts, writing, poetry, circus arts, dance and much more. The workshops are for older people and children, families, young people and adults. The bus will visit housing estates, schools, community centres and open spaces. The workshops will be publicized in advance but will (apart from some sessions in schools) be available on a drop in basis. We want the workshops to reach people who might not be able to travel to events or who would not otherwise take part.

What we'll deliver:

• 9 days of festival outreach with the Big Red Bus
• 15 participatory arts workshops in the community
• Taking the festival to 15 community venues, schools or open spaces

Why it's a great idea:

Art brings people together; it makes them happy; it gives them something to think about; it builds confidence; it offers opportunities; it is life enhancing. Enjoying art together builds relationships between people who live next door to each other. A lively programme of arts events which are free or low cost makes the borough a great place for everyone to live in. But not everyone is able to travel to the festival. They may not know it is happening or have the confidence to visit its main venues. The Big Red bus is very visible, very accessible and very friendly. It takes the festival to venues people who may not normally get involved are familiar with. It offers free access to fantastic arts workshops led by practising artists on a drop in basis to people who might not have participated in these kinds of events. The bus will take the festival deep into the community; we will encourage participants to then attend other festival events and discover the rich cultural life here.

Steps to get it done:

• Festival date for 2020 confirmed
• Arts Partners confirmed
• Big Red Bus visit locations confirmed
• Bus artists confirmed
• Bus programme published
• Marketing campaign
• Festival launched
• Bus starts touring
• Evaluation of bus programme

The festival started 5 years ago as a result of the enthusiasm of a few local people - and that remains its ethos. A local festival celebrating the high quality art made by local people and enjoyed by their neighbours.