History

Sheffield Children’s Festival, organised by Sheffield City Council, is the largest festival of its kind in the UK and a major event in Sheffield’s cultural calendar. Each year our total number of children and young people taking part in the festival increases dramatically. In 2011 we engaged over 34,000! This means even more will have the opportunity to work with professional artists, develop their creativity, exhibit work, perform in city centre venues, participate in workshops and special events and enjoy performances of dance, theatre and music.

What makes us Special

What we do is get children working with professional artists and performers and then showcase the art that the children make. We show their work in professional arts venues - whether that is the piece of sculpture they’ve made put on display in an art gallery or their part in a theatre production that they get to perform in a professional theatre. Although it sounds simple, we find that this combination of working with professional artists and having their work showcased inspires children, it gives them memorable experiences, raises their confidence and aspirations and in many cases is a life-changing experience.

Art for All

The festival is devised in a way that means lots and lots of children can take part – we believe strongly that the arts are for everyone – not just the talented or privileged.

Many children take part in the festival at school during spring, in one of our large school art projects. The work the children make during these projects is shown during the festival in June and July. Click here for a summary of this year’s projects.

We also devise events, workshops and activities for families to take part in during the festival itself in June and July – click here to see this year’s programme.

Over the years we estimate that well over a quarter of a million children, young people and families have taken part in the festival.

Richard Johnson
Manager
Sheffield Children’s Festival

All Events 2012

FESTIVAL ENDS :(
Hope you enjoyed yourself!
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