Leek Arts Festival

Founded in 1977 Leek Arts Festival began as a week-long celebration of the local arts scene with just a handful of events.

Over the years it has expanded to nearly six weeks – it now runs from the end of April to the beginning of June each year and headlines at the Foxlowe Arts Centre.

Each year the programme is put together by a handful of hard-working volunteers who do everything they can to provide interest and variety from one year to the next. Leek Arts Festival works as an umbrella organisation to foster and support local groups and individuals, but also brings big name performers to the town.

The festival committee organises a series of core events – star names in the recent years have included Barbara Dickson, Tony Christie, Fairport Convention, Birmingham Conservatoire Folk Ensemble, The Peak District Big Band, DEMON, poet laureate Simon Armitage and Tom Allen.

The result is a satisfying mix of local and national/international talent, all happening over six weeks in a small market town with a population of just 20,000 people.

Funding for publicity and marketing comes via sponsorship and grant support from various sources including Staffordshire Moorlands District Council, Leek Town Council and the Leek Town Lands Trust, all of whom recognise the key role of the festival in attracting visitors to the area and the positive impact the arts can have on the health and wellbeing of the community.

Book your tickets for this year's festival www.leekartsfestival.co.uk