About the Festival
Arts Alive was established in 1996 and has grown to become the largest annual community arts festival in the Mole Valley district. Arts Alive began as a two-week literature festival taking place during the last two weeks of October. The festival has developed significantly over the years to include all art forms and in 2006 Arts Alive celebrated its 10th anniversary with events taking place across the whole of October.
Arts Alive 2007 featured over 100 events with the appointment of our first ever festival patron, author and musician Louis de Bernières. Close to 24,000 people attended the festival and over 900 people participated either as performers, exhibitors or facilitators.
Arts Alive 2008 promises to be just as big, opening on Saturday 27th September with ceremonies in Dorking and Leatherhead town centres, giving artists, art groups and festival goers the chance to join together and start the celebrations with a bang. Arts Alive promises to offer something for everyone this year and we are delighted that English satirist, actor and comedian John Bird has greed to be this year’s festival patron.
There simply isn’t enough space here to mention every event. Some highlights however include special commemorative performances in honour of the influential British composer and Leith Hill Festival Conductor Ralph Vaughan Williams, workshops by the Rain Dance film company and a festival grand finale filled with fun, fireworks and a spectacular lantern procession.
There are many exciting events to look forward to and I hope you will find something you can enjoy.