Cheltenham Festivals

Cheltenham Festivals is a UK-based registered charity (Charity number 251765) dedicated to organizing and managing four internationally recognized cultural festivals in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. These festivals cover the disciplines of jazz, science, music, and literature, and function alongside comprehensive year-round educational, community outreach, and talent development programmes.

History and Background

Cheltenham Festivals originated from two of the UK's oldest festivals: the Music Festival, initiated in 1945, and the Literature Festival, established in 1949. Later expansions introduced the Jazz Festival in 1996 and the Science Festival in 2002. Initially aligned with Cheltenham Borough Council, the four festivals became an independent collective entity in 2006, forming the current Cheltenham Festivals charity. The organization is staffed with dedicated marketing, education, and development teams to support its mission[4][2][3].

Activities and Impact

Cheltenham Festivals produces over 800 events annually across its four festivals, showcasing a wide range of cultural experiences — from big-band jazz and classical guitar performances to discussions covering topics like democracy and genetics. The organization serves an audience that includes more than 30,000 schoolchildren each year through its Learning and Participation programme, ensuring access by providing transport and tickets to those who might otherwise be unable to attend.

The charity is committed to fostering emerging talent by giving opportunities to upcoming musicians, composers, authors, and scientists to participate alongside internationally renowned figures. It also supports literacy and educational engagement by placing authors in local schools for intensive, year-round projects aimed at improving literacy rates.

Funding for Cheltenham Festivals primarily comes from donations, sponsorships, memberships, patronages, and legacies, accounting for 96% of its annual funding alongside support from Arts Council England[1][3].

Educational and Community Programmes

Beyond festival events, Cheltenham Festivals runs extensive education and outreach projects designed to inspire creativity and cultural participation among young people and the wider community. One of the highlighted initiatives is VOICEBOX, launched in 2021, which provides a platform for young people aged 18 to 30 to engage with arts, culture, and social issues. VOICEBOX promotes inclusivity by actively connecting marginalized groups and increasing access both in-person and digitally, enabling young voices to be heard and respected in public discourse[5][1].

Cheltenham Festivals’ work contributes significantly to the cultural vitality of Cheltenham and supports the development of artistic excellence and innovation in the UK through its integrated approach to festivals, education, and community engagement.

[1] https://www.cheltenhamfestivals.org/support-us [2] https://www.cheltenhamfestivals.org [3] https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regId=251765&subId=0 [4] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheltenham_Festivals [5] https://benefactgroup.com/movement-for-good/beneficiaries/cheltenham-festivals/