Salisbury International Arts Festival to return for 2022

Monday, 27 September 2021 01:00

Wiltshire Creative announced on Friday (24th September) that Salisbury International Arts Festival will return next year with a full programme for the first time in two years.

From 27th May – 19th June, the festival will feature a diverse programme of music, theatre, film, dance, spoken word, visual arts, family and free events, created by Wiltshire Creative’s Artistic Director Gareth Machin, Associate Artist violinist Harriet Mackenzie, and Festival Producer Lucy Babb, alongside a team of associate curators.

Running for an extended period of 3 weeks, the 2022 Salisbury International Arts Festival will be inspired by the drama, opportunity and danger of islands, and the wide variety of emotions they evoke, delving into the mysterious allure of remote locations. The programme will feature a spectacular line-up of events spanning multiple genres, including circus arts, music, comedy, dance, and a variety of free family events across the May half term.

Salisbury International Arts Festival full programme will be announced on 1st March 2022.

Lucy Babb, Festival Producer, commented, “After a two-year hiatus we can’t wait to bring together communities to share in the wonder of the arts once again. 2022 will see the return of the Salisbury International Arts Festival back to the venues, churches, countryside and streets of Wiltshire.”

Gareth Machin, Artistic Director of Wiltshire Creative, said, “I am delighted to be bringing Salisbury International Arts Festival back to Wiltshire with a spectacular programme of events in 2022. Fascination, fear and love of islands has long fired our collective imagination. After 300 years we are still reading Robinson Crusoe and, after 75 years and over 2,000 episodes, Desert Island Discs is still going strong. However, our interest in islands runs much deeper than their dramatic potential. In our highly connected world, we are increasingly craving the isolation and tranquillity that islands can offer. Even with modern amenities, islands consistently draw us in as holiday locations and meccas of fun and leisure”.

With the full programme to be announced in due course, events already confirmed for the programme include:

Contributions from Wiltshire Creative’s SHIFT programme for young creatives, with opportunities for young people to get involved announced in due course.The world première of Stone Songs composed by Howard Moody and featuring the Festival Chorus and La Folia musicians, in a performance inspired by the Medieval chants that have resonated from the Cathedral’s stones since the 13th century.A one-off Jubilee Concert and additional performances in celebration of the upcoming Platinum Jubilee.The return of the vibrant City Encounters events, offering free pop-up events around Salisbury.

Tickets to Salisbury International Arts Festival will go on sale in Spring 2022 here.

Photography by ©The Other Richard

More from Local News

Shops to stay open for 'Festive Shopping' evening

Shops will open until 7 p.m. on Thursday, December 5th, for an evening of festive shopping in Salisbury, the City of the Stars, this Christmas.
A step towards a safer community as Speedwatch group gets underway

Laverstock & Ford Parish Council saw their inaugural Community Speedwatch get underway this month after some initial setbacks.
Trainee teacher takes part in prestigious Lord Mayor’s Show in London to raise awareness of liver disease

A trainee teacher and marathon runner who is waiting for a liver transplant, was a special guest at the Lord Mayor’s Show in London last Saturday, representing the British Liver Trust, the UK’s leading liver health charity.
Residents encouraged to ‘Ask the Leader’ at event in Amesbury

Wiltshire Council is continuing to host its series of community events across the county where people can ask questions to find out more about the work of the council, with the Leader of the Council having visited 16 of Wiltshire’s 18 community areas so far.
Three men arrested in connection with van break-in series

Wiltshire Police have arrested three people in connection with an investigation into thefts from vans across the county, during which thousands of pounds worth of power tools have been stolen.
Wiltshire Council working hard to reduce overspend

Wiltshire Council has provided its second formal update of the 2024/25 financial year, which shows its previously forecasted overspending has reduced significantly.
Wiltshire's recycling collection to change from 2027

Wiltshire Council’s Cabinet has agreed its future approach to collecting recycling when its current contracts to carry out this service come to an end in 2026.
Salisbury based trains fitted with new anti-slip tech

A new initiative between Network Rail and South Western Railway has more than doubled the number of trains treating the railway and keeping the tracks leaf-free this Autumn.