A MASSIVE THANK YOU FROM YORK FESTIVAL OF IDEAS TO ALL THOSE WHO HAVE DONATED IN THE LAST YEAR

It was an enormous privilege to bring York Festival of Ideas to a local, national and international audience of over 58,000 in June 2024. Our heartfelt thanks go to all those who have generously supported the Festival by making a donation, enabling us to inspire so many people in person and online. 

Thanks to your support, we were able to present a diverse programme of over 250 events under the banner of ‘The Power Of…’ Ranging from talks by worldclass speakers to stunning performances, and thought-provoking exhibitions, the majority of events were free to attend, allowing access to ideas for all.  

Comments from attendees in 2024 included:

“I love the Festival - it's such a great way to learn about things that you don't always come across in your day to day, and the range of events and speakers is brilliant. It's particularly great being a free resource.”

“[The Festival] gave me and my family the opportunity to go to a live theatre event with an author narrating his story, which I would not normally attend. It was really inspiring and tantalising.”

“I truly loved the breadth of topics covered and the fact that sessions were mostly free made it so accessible to learning something new and different, as opposed to worrying about money and perhaps only sticking to topics I knew I would enjoy. It has widened my perspective and allowed me to be immersed in discussions and topics I would never have otherwise been a part of, and that is very special to me.”

As part of our endeavour to widen participation, this year we were particularly pleased to be able to offer interactive archaeology handling sessions for blind and partially sighted people, and to deliver a space-themed session at a York community centre for 40 children who receive free school meals.  

We are also delighted to hear from attendee feedback that the Festival continues to create a strong sense of community and shared purpose, not just in York, but well beyond its boundaries. In 2024, we were pleased to once again partner with the Jaipur Literature Festival, the French Embassy in the UK and CITY College, University of York Europe Campus.

Planning is now well underway for the 2025 Festival under the banner of ‘Making Waves’. Together with our partners, sponsors, speakers and audiences, we’ll be revealing the stories of the pioneers who have changed our world, and celebrating the vital quest for knowledge and the spirit of enquiry that continues today. 

We look forward to welcoming you back in June 2025 and thank you again for your amazing support.

Sincerely,

York Festival of Ideas

York Festival of Ideas is hugely grateful to everyone who has supported the Festival by making a donation over the past year.

We are genuinely moved that you have chosen to support us in this way and for your wonderful feedback on our 2023 programme of events.

Last year, we were delighted to bring York Festival of Ideas to our local community and a wider audience from across the UK and the globe with a programme of 241 events.

Comments from attendees included:

‘[I liked] the breadth and quality of talks and [the] general atmosphere of the Festival. It feels so open and safe as a cultural and academic space, and is so accessible to everyone. That we can access such high quality talks and events for free is extraordinary - it is one of the best things about living around York and an absolute gem in York’s cultural crown.’

‘The range of themes was so well balanced for age, interests and the opportunity to discuss issues for future generations. Also, the quality of presentations. Excellent speakers over the years. I feel this Festival is such a credit to York.’

Both for those joining us in-person and online, the Festival continued to be an opportunity to feel part of a community of shared interests. This is only possible thanks to the incredible generosity of our supporters, donors, attendees and partners.

As we look forward to the 2024 Festival under the banner of The Power Of…, we thank you for your amazing support.

Sincerely,

York Festival of Ideas

York Festival of Ideas would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has supported the Festival by making a donation in 2022.

This year, York Festival of Ideas was delighted to welcome back our local community by hosting 125 in-person events across York. As well as continuing to connect with and grow our online community with our new and exciting hybrid format.

We are touched that you have chosen to support us in this way and that so many of you have enjoyed attending the Festival and engaging in our programme. The Festival is made possible by each and every one of our supporters, donors, attendees and partners.

We were delighted that 99% of respondents to our feedback survey said that they would recommend the Festival to a friend with wonderful comments from attendees, such as:

A wonderful festival - what incredible speakers! - looking forward to the next one. So glad there were online events. I have mobility problems and it meant I could access the festival too!

The range of topics was incredible. I attended lectures about science, witchcraft, podcasts - truly sensational. The speakers were also so knowledgeable and eloquent.

I really look forward to the Festival every year. Learning is very stimulating and great for wellbeing. It has encouraged me to take more courses at York university and see York in a different light.

This year we were able to work with over 130 partners including local organisations such as York Theatre Royal and Explore York Libraries and Archives as well as International partners including Jaipur Literature Festival and the French Embassy in the UK.

We are confident that the Festival will continue to go from strength-to-strength and we thank you again for your support.

Sincerely,

York Festival of Ideas

York Festival of Ideas would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to those of you who have supported the Festival by making a donation.

We are touched that you have chosen to support us in this way and that so many of you have enjoyed attending the Festival and engaging in our programme. The Festival is made possible by each and every one of our supporters, donors, attendees and partners.

Early calculations show that the 2021 York Festival of Ideas reached more people than ever before. With a programme of over 200 events and over 58,000 attendees from 146 different countries across the globe, we were delighted that 98% of respondents to our feedback survey said that they would recommend the Festival to a friend.

This year we were able to work with over 105 partners including local organisations such as York Museum’s Trust and the National Centre for Early Music as well as International partners including Jaipur Literature Festival and the French Embassy in the UK.

We are confident that the Festival will continue to go from strength-to-strength and we thank you again for your support.

Sincerely,

York Festival of Ideas

York Festival of Ideas has unveiled an ambitious initiative that aims to unlock the creative potential of 2,000 local primary schoolchildren.

Working with REACH – the York Cultural Education Partnership - the Bags of Creativity project is helping to make the Festival’s events and activities more accessible to a wider local audience.

York Festival of Ideas has worked with 20 local partners to develop and produce Bags of Creativity packed with a range of creative resources. Working with City of York Council, the University of York has distributed bags to every York primary school who will hand them out this week to pupils in receipt of free school meals – more than 2,000 children across 51 schools. 

Find out more

Trailblazing York

To mark its 10th anniversary, the Festival has also established Trailblazing York, a walking trail for all ages in the heart of York. It showcases ten of the city’s most inspirational pioneers. The Trailblazers either bucked the social norms of the day or, through an invention or innovation, created new paths for others to follow.

Simply follow the map Trailblazing York map and look out for the Trailblazing York signs, making a note of each trailblazer’s name. And as a special reward for tracking down all 10 trailblazers, we’re offering a chance to win a £40 Bettys or High Street Voucher. (Details of how to enter here.)

To see the full festival programme and to book tickets visit yorkfestivalofideas.com.