Canterbury Festival has many special qualities. It is the major promoter of international arts in East Kent; it is enjoyed by a hugely loyal audience from the region and is generally regarded as the highlight of Kent's cultural calendar. Never content to relax and enjoy its position - the Festival has clearly articulated ambitions for the future.

Plans include the commissioning of new works and the hosting of world and UK premieres. Such activity commands national press interest and raises the profile of Canterbury as a centre of excellence in the Arts. Creative partnerships will be forged between international and local artists to allow skills and practices to be shared. The Festival will showcase more Kent-based performers, bringing them to national attention. More young people are becoming involved - not just as audiences for the ever-widening programme, but as volunteers helping to develop the Festival's education and outreach strategy. And there are increasingly more ways to enjoy the Festival - through workshops, master-classes, competitions and community projects. Gradually the Festival is spreading its activity to other parts of the county. Already established in Margate's Theatre Royal, future plans include the programming of additional activity across the campuses of our new Partner and Principal Sponsor Canterbury Christ Church University.

Naturally such ambition requires extra finance, and the Festival places considerable importance on attracting support from funders, individual benefactors, local business, and trusts and foundations.

Festival Director Rosie Turner describes some of the latest developments,

''In 2009 the Festival was asked by Canterbury City Council to take responsibility for the continuing development of creative writing and live literature events in the district. Under the title of The Canterbury Laureate, an exciting year-round programme has been implemented  to meet this challenge.' For more information see www.write-here.net.

'In partnership with Arts Council England, South East, and MCMC Arts, the Festival is producing a major event to be staged in Margate in the summer of 2011. Details are secret at present but this will be a major arts event combining international companies with Kent-based artists, and there will be lots of ways for the public to become involved. More details when it’s launched in Spring next year.

'Thanks to a new 5 year sponsorship with Canterbury Christ Church University, the Festival will be working with students, staff and the Governing Body to cement Christ Church’s already strong arts reputation in the County. The Festival is particularly excited about the development of the new St Gregory’s Concert Hall and the partnerships the University has forged with Classic FM, the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment and Southbank Sinfonia. The new purpose-built concert hall, along with the new Marlowe Theatre, will greatly enhance Canterbury’s offer in the Arts.

'Thanks also to Canterbury Christ Church, the Festival will be moving its office later this summer. More details coming soon!

'Canterbury Festival has a very distinguished history. It's our job to ensure that its greatest success is still to come.'