Arts Council backs Swindon's Festival of Tomorrow for 2027

The organisers of Swindon’s Festival of Tomorrow are celebrating a successful funding bid to Arts Council England for its eight annual festival next February.

The much-loved festival, which brings creative arts and science activities to families and young people was praised by the funder for the impact it has on people and communities, as well as its potential to bring national attention to Swindon.
In each of the last two years, the festival has reached over 40,000 participants, bringing in over a quarter of a million pounds to the local economy each year, whilst supporting dozens of local organisations and providing free educational programmes to over 30 local schools.
Festival Director Dr Roderick Hebden said: “We’re really proud to have such great feedback from the Arts Council at a time when funding is so competitive.
"To be able to use this grant to deliver this festival which gets such a warm and positive response from everyone who visits makes all the late nights worth it!
"One of our funders had to withdraw this year, so we having to be even smarter about how we plan this time around.
"However, we’re always open to more companies who’d like to join us to put something back into the community by getting involved, and I’d like to thank the fantastic support we continue to have from UK Research and Innovation who are the backbone of research in this country, as well as partners like, Catalent, Gel Studios and The James Dyson Foundation who have supported us year after year.”
The 2027 festival programme will start with two weeks of schools’ programmes, beginning on the 1st February, before the eight-day public About Town programme across multiple venues, including at STEAM Museum and the Swindon Designer Outlet.
The event will culminate with its signature Festival Finale, where thousands of people will enjoy jaw-dropping shows and brilliant workshops and exhibitors for all ages, held at the Deanery Academy, in Wichelstowe.  
Organisers are also planning to build on the success of the new hybrid events held up at the Science Museum’s site in Wroughton, where curious minds can join studio audiences for live online events, which will connect live behind-the-scenes to fascinating sites in the UK and across the World.