The Canterbury Festival enters its next phase in good health. It has been recognised and commended for its strength of governance and enjoys a positive profile among audiences in East Kent. Successful Festivals over the last five years have allowed the development of some reserves, and the Festival has moved into fit-for-purpose premises which support its plan to move towards becoming a year-round arts promoting organisation with a two week international festival at its heart.

As one of only nine organisations in Kent to achieve National Portfolio funding from the Arts Council, Canterbury Festival has also retained the majority of its local authority support to date. The future is far from certain however, and the Festival is already feeling the adverse effects of recession on its corporate sponsorship. Having demonstrated steady financial growth over the past five years, and undertaken organisational development to strengthen its infrastructure, the Festival is now challenged to develop artistically, to retain its position as a ground-breaking international creator and promoter.

Commissions, site-specific and outdoor work to excite new audiences will be balanced with more classic fare to retain loyal supporters. Increased work with schools, universities and the community and a number of one-off projects throughout the year will keep the Festival in the public's eye.

The Festival recognises that it approaches this task at a challenging time. Artists look to funded organisations for support; the number of projects and potential partnerships is limited; and there are an increasing number of cultural "good causes" seeking support in the region.

The Festival intends to be brave, opportunistic and light on its feet when reacting to changing times. It will continue to steer its own course - mindful of the agendas of partners but not led by them, reflective of the contribution of local artists but not dominated by them. That course remains, as ever, the pursuit of excellent arts activity and the involvement of ever-widening audiences.