Open Art Folke is Folkestone's first artist-led festival that inclusively showcases the extraordinary breadth of creativity in this little town by the sea based on the mantra “art for all”

The inaugural Open Art Folke festival took place between 13th and 22nd September 2024, in private and public venues across Folkestone. In its first year, the programme brought together over 130 artists, designers and makers.

Across ten days of creative events and activities there were open studios, talks, walks, exhibitions, installations, interventions, performances and workshops as well as an art market in collaboration with Folkestone Fringe.

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Open Art 25, The Triennial Edition, will continue to build upon our mantra by inviting anyone with a spark of imagination and a point of view to open up and share their energy. There is no theme, it's all in your hands!

This year's festival will run across the entire summer and into the autumn commencing on Friday 25th July and closing on Sunday 19th October. Anything can happen within those dates but the team's creative energies will be focused on two "bloom weekends" and another very special event. We hope you'll join us!

Bloom weekends : 26th-27th July / 29th-31st August 

What goes? The sky's the limit really as long as it's artist led, open to the public, legal and you've got the right insurance.

We're talking open studios, talks, walks, exhibitions, installations, interventions, performances and workshops.  Essentially any means to get people engaging in your work and creativity. 

Who can take part? Anyone and everyone, as long as your thing happens within Folkestone, Cheriton or Sandgate.

The deadline for the application form is midnight, Sunday 1st June and the fee as per last year is £20 per application. To apply simply click HERE

Additionally, this year we are collaborating with Under The Moon Market to create the "Fête of Folkestone", an art market and carnival of creativity on Saturday 27th September

(Please note there will be a separate application and fee for the Fête of Folkestone)

Please keep an eye out on social media or visit us later for further information and updates.