Imagine. Create. Fund. Proud to be Walsall.
2 Pledges worth £151 day ago
WOW! Fest is back! Bringing together local schools, youth groups, professional performers, and a vibrant, creative festival atmosphere, come and join us in Walsall Arboretum on the 3rd & 4th July!
WOW! Fest is full of wonder. It is a free, community-driven dance and outdoor arts festival in Walsall, produced by Autin Dance Theatre in partnership with Walsall Council. In the spring, our Next Gen Pathway will empower local children and young people to create, move and thrive together. On Friday 3 July and Saturday 4 July 2026, this programme will culminate in a vibrant, inclusive celebration at Walsall Arboretum, a creative village for all to experience. Festival-goers can expect performances from young people, community groups and professional companies, plus movement workshops, interactive installations, play zones, sensory-friendly spaces and well-being activities. Walsall Outdoor Wonders (WOW!) is free to attend, removing financial barriers and creating opportunities and training for the people of Walsall. It brings the Arboretum to life with creativity and community spirit. Your donations are essential to help us ensure WOW! is free, accessible and inclusive for all.
What we'll deliver:
Why it's a great idea:
WOW! Fest brings social, cultural and well-being benefits to local residents. The festival will: - turn the Arboretum into a village full of fun activities and experiences to join in with - give local children, young people and community groups a chance to perform and be celebrated on stage - help young people build confidence, friendships and skills through our Next Gen Pathway and Community Ambassadors programme - create ‘feel-good’ community pride by shining a light on the brilliance of Walsall’s people and the Arboretum - add to the town’s shared story through an interactive living mural - support healthy activity and well-being by getting local residents active with movement workshops & well-being stalls - increase local access to high-quality arts with leading dance companies putting on a top-drawer programme of dance - offer play zones, interactive installations and sensory-friendly spaces so more families can take part
Steps to get it done:
Journey
Follow this project You are following this project for updates to your inbox
Whoop, 30 people have pledged since fundraising began!
Whoop, 10 people have pledged since fundraising began!
Imagine. Create. Fund. Proud to be Walsall.
How will the money be spent?Target (inc. fees) £42,044
Costs Breakdown
This shows how money raised for the project will be spent. These costs have been confirmed by the project's Delivery Manager and verified.
Overfunding
This project is enabled for overfunding. If the project hits its funding goal before the end of the campaign period, any extra funds raised will be spent (in order of priority) on:
Target (inc. fees) £42,044
Our Volunteer List
Want to help?
Do you have stuff or skills to contribute to this project? Use this tool to offer something to the project creator.
VolunteerAutin Dance Theatre (ADT) is an award-winning, innovative dance company and registered charity based in Birmingham, UK, under the artistic direction of acclaimed choreographer Johnny Autin.
ADT’s mission is to inspire, educate, and drive positive social change through thought-provoking and engaging multi-disciplinary arts activities. The company actively connects with local communities, participants, and audiences, delivering work in theatres, public outdoor spaces, and unconventional settings.
As a collaborative ensemble known for its unique blend of contemporary storytelling, striking physicality, and large-scale designs, ADT creates socially inclusive and mass-participatory movement projects across the UK and internationally. From dynamic outdoor processions to immersive static performances, the company transports audiences on unforgettable journeys. Its critically acclaimed productions include Out of the Deep Blue, Street Games, Brimstone the Dragon, Parade - The Giant Wheel, and Light Up Fest, all of which have garnered a strong reputation for impactful community engagement and artistic excellence.
In 2025, ADT is excited to develop Up in the Sky, a groundbreaking new aerial dance production featuring a colossal 7-metre rig, exploring themes of displacement, resilience, and belonging.
Project Owner: Autin Dance Theatre CIO The Project Owner takes legal responsibility for receiving and spending the funds raised and ensuring the project is delivered.
Find me at:
