News

‘Inspirational Oxfordshire’ campaign launches

Oxford Festival of the Arts is delighted to be part of a new campaign celebrating the wealth of arts and culture across Oxfordshire. The campaign, which runs until October 2021, involves 32 cultural organisations ranging from museums and art galleries to theatres and festivals. The campaign promotes the county to both international and domestic visitors, as a welcoming and accessible place to visit, bursting with amazing culture and talent. Experience Oxfordshire will highlight the world-renowned Read more…

By Alexis Thompson, ago

Tried and tested, activity bags are a hit!

Thank you to Lilley Mitchell and Radio Oxford for the feature they ran today which you can hear in the video above. As part of our work with the MCS Partnerships Team, we have put together 100 free activity bags for children to enjoy during the summer holidays. Designed with arts and creativity in mind, the bags will encourage children away from screens, out into the open air, and will stimulate hungry minds and imagination! Read more…

By Alexis Thompson, ago

The Phoenix Art Project goes live

In April as part of our collaboration with Oxfordshire Artweeks we invited artistic responses on the theme of The Phoenix, rebirth and resurgence. As the world slowly emerges from lockdown and the arts begin a period of renewed activity, we wanted to know how it prompted people to respond creatively. The project was open to everyone. We received over 50 entries from keen amateur artists, seasoned professionals and we were delighted that many children also Read more…

By Alexis Thompson, ago

‘The Door in the Cellar’ winners announced

Today OFA and MCS Partnerships announce the five young writers who have triumphed in this year’s short story competition for 7 to 11-year olds. Since its launch in 2009 the Festival has been running a creative writing element as part of their learning and engagement work with the MCS Partnerships team. This year it took the form of a 250-word short story competition. The theme ‘The Door in the Cellar’ was set by award-winning children’s Read more…

By Alexis Thompson, ago
Brendan Ball performs 'Call to Arms' by Darren Fellows

Our final trumpet world premiere

We are pleased to present another premiere as we release the film of the last of our five winners in the ‘Say it in 60 seconds’ composition project. Congratulations to Darren Fellows composer of ‘Call to Arms’. The piece is played by trumpeter Brendan Ball who has done an outstanding job of interpreting and performing these new works. Our thanks also go to film director Emma Tranter, filmmaker Jean Paul Caruana and AGM Digital Arts Read more…

By Alexis Thompson, ago

Gaia – Gaian Thinking is not a Luxury

As part of the Global Dance Film Project in partnership with Dancin’ Oxford, Oxford International Links, Mandala Theatre and Ashtar Theatre’s International Digital and Live Festival, OFA has commissioned a dance piece called ‘Gaia – Gaian Thinking Is Not A luxury’ that has been performed by Contact Dance Company around stunning locations in Malta. Dr Michelle Castelletti, Director, Oxford Festival of the Arts explains how the commission came about: As soon as I started discussing Read more…

By Alexis Thompson, ago

#sayitin60seconds, our fourth winner

We have another premiere for you to enjoy as part of our composition project for solo trumpet. This time the piece is ‘FURY’ by Dan Jenkins, a challenging and exciting new work which Brendan Ball performs with his usual aplomb and skill. Brendan told us “The challenge was to make the trumpet display as many versions of anger, angst, frustration, brooding mood, & temper as possible”. We think you will agree that he has achieved Read more…

By Alexis Thompson, ago

Our third premiere #sayitin60seconds

We are delighted to premiere another new work as part of our #sayitin60seconds composition project. Brendan Ball performs ‘Whereupon the Soul Leapt from the Body’ by Richard Peat. Congratulations to Richard.We have two more pieces to premiere and then news is coming of the next stage of this project which is an exciting education and mentoring opportunity for young people.

By Alexis Thompson, ago

Our second winner is announced as part of #sayitin60seconds

Brendan Ball performs the second our of winning compositions in the #sayitin60seconds project which called for new work for solo trumpet that is no longer than a minute. Here the piece is ‘Dreams of Pi’ written by Richard Montgomery. We have three more winning works to share with you, and news of how this project will shortly become an education and mentoring opportunity for young musicians.

By Alexis Thompson, ago