This year’s Coastal Currents will seem to many this year a much shorter affair than in previous years and perhaps not on such a grand scale. Like an oil tanker Coastal Currents is a difficult ship to slow down and even harder to turn around, it takes time. This year we are making a number of unseen changes to the festival, which will only show up in 2006 and beyond, changes which will fundamentally effect the way we plan, fund and manage the festival into the future.
However the good news is that the local arts scenes in Rye, Hastings and Bexhill continue to thrive and diversify. This year we again have more than 120 artists in the Open Studios section and a wonderful opportunity to see and ultimately buy art directly from the artists. We are also planning a brand new puppetry showcase with international puppeteers alongside some of Britain’s best performers. As well as exhibitions, debates and films events, we will also be having street arts both in Rye, as part of the Rye Festival, and Hastings in conjunction with Thursday Late & Live. This year, fingers crossed, we should have a selection of arias and new works from Glyndebourne Opera, live in the heart of Hastings town centre.
So don’t be dismayed if there seems to be less on offer than last year, this is a time of rebirth and renewal for Coastal Currents and behind the scenes we are working hard to make sure the festival continues to thrive and surprise beyond 2005.
Coastal Currents is supported by Hastings Borough Council, Rother District Council, East Sussex County Council and Arts Council England South East.
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This page last updated: 22/06/2005