There are many exciting and varied arts events throughout the Craven district, including community events and highly specialised professional arts activity.

Did you know there are three internationally renowned professional puppet companies based in Craven? And over 40 professional visual artists and makers? Within the district are the nationally renowned organisations Chrysalis Arts and Pioneer Projects (see Links for details). Craven also hosts a number of nationally renowned arts events including the long established Grassington Festival and the biennial Skipton Puppet Festival consisting of 12 national and international professional puppet companies, and the newly established North Yorkshire Open Studios programme.

Craven Museum & Gallery at the Town Hall in Skipton hosts an annual selling exhibition of Craven’s professional artists’ and makers’ work from October to Christmas and has other heritage and contemporary art exhibitions throughout the year. Entry is free.

In addition there are many community and semi-professional performance and music companies all within the boundaries of Craven. There is an exciting and eclectic mix and opportunities for professionals and amateurs alike to become involved. Professional and amateur productions are staged at a variety of venues including village and church halls, one of the oldest music halls in England – Victoria Hall in Settle, a refurbished auction ring at The Mart Theatre at Skipton’s Auction Mart (now with proper heating and much more comfortable seats!) and the historic Glusburn Institute built as a grand village community centre by a Victorian benefactor.

The Craven Newsletter of Festivals & Events has also been relaunched and is now entitled Craven Events. A pdf large text version will be attached to this page in due course. There is also a website  www.cravenevents.org.uk  which complements the handout and allows you to search for events by type and date and also allows organisations to upload their own information.

If you would like to apply for a community grant to help with your arts project or you would like to be a volunteer in the gallery, do contact Catherine Johnson, details below.