With combined ticket sales of over 150,000 the Jazz, Science, Music and Literature Festivals all boast enviable international reputations as leaders in their field. With programming that features the most up-and-coming, controversial and entertaining international performers, the festivals have justly earned their place at the centre of the UK’s cultural scene.
Since the launch of the Music Festival in 1945 and the Literature Festival in 1949, Cheltenham has been at the forefront of contemporary British culture. With the introduction of the Jazz Festival in 1996 and the Science Festival in 2002 Cheltenham Festivals have secured a reputation for innovation and excellence.
Each festival is programmed by an artistic director, all of whom are leaders in their fields. A commitment to celebrating new work and young artists ensures that the festivals never stand still and continue to receive international coverage with audiences and performers drawn from across the world. In addition there is a thriving education programme which aims to take the festivals out into schools and the community thus generating new audiences.
In 2006 the four festivals set out on an independent journey as they collectively became Cheltenham Festivals. As a registered charity Cheltenham Festivals has its very own marketing, education and development teams and for the first time in its history a Chief Executive, Donna Renney.
