About

Cheltenham Festival of Performing Arts is Cheltenham’s oldest Festival and is held in May each year.  The Festival’s usual venue is Cheltenham Town Hall. 

There are usually over 300 classes to chose from in three categories, Music, Dance and Drama and we encourage all ages to enter and join in the fun.

We provide a stage where children and adults can perform to their peers and receive constructive feedback from our eminent professional adjudicators.  The atmosphere is friendly and everyone is welcome to come along and provide encouragement.

The Festival is a charity set up to foster education in the arts.

We have a strong team of Volunteers and Friends who provide valuable support the Festival.  Do volunteer to help – there are many ways in which your services would be appreciated.

Constitution

The Festival is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation and is subject to the 2017 Constitution. Please click on the link below to view the constitution. Festival Constitution              

Arts Award

The Festival is proud to be an Arts Award Supporter. We can offer the following opportunities to get involved: Volunteering as stewardsWatching and reviewing performancesHelping us collect feedbackFinding out how the event is put togetherTaking part in workshops or to enter the Festival as a performer If you would like more information please contact us. …read More

Our Team

The Cheltenham Festival of Performing Arts is run by a dedicated group of individuals through a number of Committees that meet throughout the year. President John Rawson     Vice Presidents Joan Bell       Valerie Walsh       Daphne Nutland       Rod Davis       Allan Gillespie     …read More

Policies

You can download any of our policies or view each policy statement here. Child Protection Policy Equal Opportunities Policy Data Protection Policy CHILD PROTECTION POLICY STATEMENT Cheltenham Festival of Performing Arts believes that no child or young person should ever experience abuse of any kind.  We have a responsibility to promote the welfare of all …read More

Venues

Cheltenham Town Hall The Town Hall is the home of the Festival where the majority of our events take place. It has a number of lovely rooms which suit the variety of performances; from the large Main Hall to the more intimate Pillar Room and Drawing Room.  Built in the early 1900’s it provides a …read More

Education

The Festival is supported by a number of local schools and we understand how important arts and culture is to developing well rounded individuals. The Arts Council England make the point well in their Create report: Taking part in arts and culture activities increases skills such as confidence, teamwork and communication. Skills that are invaluable …read More

History

The Festival started life as the CHELTENHAM COMPETITVE FESTIVAL, and was renamed the CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL OF PERFORMING ARTS in 2006. The new name reflects more accurately the range of disciplines covered by the Festival. It also echoes the performance skills of our Vice-Presidents – Dame Felicity Lott, Russell Maliphant and Phyllida Lloyd – all of …read More

Results

During the 2018 Festival, we took the decision to end our practice of posting the names of winning performers on this website. We reached this decision because we felt that it was an unnecessary disclosure of personal information and might constitute a breach of Data Protection legislation (GDPR May 2018).  Therefore, competition results will no …read More