More than 60 workshops will be delivered, free of charge, across 18 local schools this summer
Alton Arts Festival (AAF) announces its most ambitious schools programme to date – bringing professional artists from Alton and across the UK into classrooms around the town and surrounding villages ahead of this summer’s festival.
The fully funded programme offers 64 free workshops to more than 3,500 children and young people from Reception through to Year 8 – spanning 15 primary schools, Alton’s specialist SEND school and two secondary schools. Beginning in late-May and running through to the festival in July, it encompasses a range of creative experiences led by professional artists, many local to Alton and Hampshire.
In line with the variety of the Alton Arts Festival, the schools programme’s hands-on workshops cover an extraordinary breadth of disciplines, including African drumming, gamelan and samba run by Sam Worwood, head of music for Amery Hill, and creative writing led local author Sarah Lucas of Putting Pen 2 Paper – both of whom are donating their time.
The programme also offers workshops in street art with Street Style Surgery; hip-hop dance with Boy Blue; contemporary dance with Boppin Dance School; yoga, movement and mindful practices to build emotional awareness and resilience with Yo-chi; techniques for focus, relaxation and emotional regulation through story massage with Natural Balance; sculpting from scrap and recycled materials with Junk Jodie; comic art with Crazy Comic Club; and blending art and science with Emma Callow’s Imagination Art Bots sessions.
Thanks to funding from The Goldsmith’s Centre, secondary students will also have the chance to try silversmithing at a local studio with jewellery maker and artist Olivia Brown. “I want students to discover crafts they may never have encountered before,” said Olivia. “Hands-on craft can unlock new ways of thinking about creativity and potential careers. Seeing a working studio in particular can help students imagine creative futures they hadn’t considered.”
Luke Jones, World Music Specialist Practitioner with Hampshire Music Service is leading taiko drumming sessions for secondary schools. He said: “The Alton Arts Festival Schools Programme is an excellent partnership for HMS, allowing us to extend high-quality, specialist music experiences directly into schools. Projects like Taiko drumming support our commitment to inclusive, engaging music-making, helping young people build confidence, focus and ensemble skills. Opportunities like this strengthen the music provision across the region and enable us to reach pupils who may not otherwise access this kind of inspiring cultural experience.”
A community coming together
“The Alton Arts Festival Schools Programme is more than an event; it’s a catalyst for curiosity,” said Gemma Gundry, Headteacher at Andrews’ Endowed Church of England Primary School, “It empowers our pupils to ask in-depth questions about their own creativity, boosting their confidence and wellbeing through meaningful exploration. The experiences shared during the Festival allows every individual to truly shine, reminding us why these opportunities are so essential for fostering a thriving, engaged, and inspired school community.”
All 15 of Alton’s primary schools are taking part, along with both of the town’s secondary schools and Treloar’s, the specialist SEND school, ensuring the programme is as inclusive as possible.
“We are very grateful to the Alton Arts Festival Schools Programme for offering a variety of invaluable enrichment opportunities for our students. This is especially beneficial for our lower school students as the programme provides a range of bespoke and unique workshops for them to participate in before they choose their GCSE options,” said Sarah Holman, Headteacher at Eggar’s School. “We benefit hugely from this collaborative community initiative as it supports our students’ wellbeing, builds confidence and fosters creativity beyond the classroom. It is a highlight in our school calendar.”
The programme is also made possible by grants from local organisations including the Alton Society, Resurrection Furniture and Frensham Heights, grant funding from EHDC District Councillors, and private donations from festival patrons. It is coordinated entirely by a small team of volunteers around their other commitments.
“The Schools Programme is the festival’s outreach arm. It’s a huge undertaking, but a project Sara Wood and I feel passionately about,” said Helen Reeves, AAF Schools Joint Lead. “We can’t wait to see what the children create this year – and to showcase what the experiences mean to them. We’ll be exhibiting as much of the work as possible, both online and across Alton venues during the festival, 3–12 July.”
Beyond the classroom: Art Box
The festival’s commitment to creative access for young people extends beyond the Schools programme. AAF is also launching Art Box – an immersive, installation-style creative experience designed with preschoolers, homeschoolers and senior citizens in mind. Taking place at Alton Community Centre on 6th, 8th and 10th July, local artists Flossy Waters (Illustrator), Veronica Williams (Creative Artist) and Emma Callow (Experience Designer) will each take over the space for a day, transforming it into something the young and not-so-young can explore, play in and be part of. Art Box is completely free, but spaces are limited. Reserve tickets at: https://www.altonartsfestival.com/whats-on
Tickets for AAF2026 are on sale now at www.altonartsfestival.com.
The schools programme runs 18 May – 9 July 2026, ahead of and during the festival period.
Schools taking part include: Alton Infants; Wootey Infants; Wootey Juniors; Anstey Juniors; Andrews Endowed; Bentley; St Mary’s, Bentworth; Binsted; the Butts; Chawton; Four Marks; Medstead; Ropley; Selborne; St Lawrence; Treloar’s, Amery Hill and Eggars.
About Alton Arts Festival
Alton Arts Festival is a not-for-profit celebration of the arts, community, and creativity. Designed to encourage pride in a culturally thriving community, AAF is run entirely by volunteers. Its income is reinvested in ensuring affordable ticket pricing and free events in line with its values of ambition, inclusivity, integrity and community.
The Alton Arts Festival will run 3-12 July 2026.
Lisa Henshaw
@altonartsfestival