The Estuary Festival is thrilled to announce that it has secured a Place Partnership investment of £258,500 from Arts Council England for the third edition of its contemporary arts festival, which celebrates the Thames Estuary.
Hazel Edwards, South East Area Director for Arts Council England, commented:
“We are delighted to support Estuary 2025 as part of our Place Partnership initiative. This festival exemplifies the power of collaboration between local communities and cultural organizations, creating incredible creative opportunities for people at every stage of life. We look forward to seeing the exciting program of participatory arts activities unfold.”
An Ambitious Programme of Participatory Contemporary Arts Activities
Estuary 2025 will explore the theme of ‘Vessels’ through a variety of participatory contemporary arts activities. These activities will involve 54 partners, including schools, youth clubs, arts organizations, and land and maritime agencies. National Highways’ Lower Thames Crossing has also provided funding for the project.
Shaun Pidcock, Programme Director at Lower Thames Crossing, remarked:
“We are proud to support Estuary 2025 because it represents a significant investment in the cultural and artistic landscape of the Thames Estuary. The Lower Thames Crossing is committed to creating a long-lasting legacy in the community, supporting a diverse range of arts activities and celebrating the rich heritage of the region.”
Estuary 2025 (21-29 June 2025): Vessels
Estuary 2025 will take place from 21-29 June 2025 and will be the third edition of this unique contemporary arts festival. The theme ‘Vessels’ goes beyond the boats and ships of the Thames Estuary to explore how communities, people, flora, fauna, and even art events serve as vessels for stories, memories, and ideas.
Connecting Across the Thames Estuary
The festival will engage six communities across the Thames Estuary, marking a transformative phase for culture in Castle Point, Basildon, and Thurrock in Essex, as well as Gravesham, Medway, and Swale in Kent.
Cllr Dave Blackwell, Leader of Castle Point Borough Council, stated:
“Castle Point Borough Council is proud to be part of this festival that celebrates the beauty and diversity of our coastline and the people inspired by it. We are committed to ensuring our partnerships flourish, and that we engage our communities through creativity and the arts.”
From left to right: Arbonauts Helen Galliano, Dimitri Launder with sound artist Lee Berwick & choreographer Becky Namgauds on Canvey Island sea wall; Breakwater – Taey Iohe and Youngsook Choi at Canvey Wick Nature Reserve. Nwando Ebizie on a walk along the Thames Estuary Path
Unveiling the Estuary 2025 Projects
Over the course of nine days, major projects will be presented at various sites along the Thames Estuary, including:
- On Water: A series of co-commissions, including voyages past the Kentish Flats Offshore Wind Farm with Gravesend-based Platform and creative journeys aboard the historic Thames sailing barge, Raybel Charters.
- Who Am I? The first public art commission by Damilola Odusote, exploring his identity as an artist of Nigerian descent raised by Romany Gypsy foster parents in the Estuary.
- Submarine Consciousness: Artist duo Breakwater (Youngsook Choi & Taey Iohe) will explore Estuary climate knowledge with a participatory approach.
- Tidal Pool Performance: A climate-responsive performance merging theatre, dance, and installation will be presented in a tidal pool on Canvey Island by artist duo Arbonauts.
- Digital Sound Performance: Nwando Ebizie, alongside Docklands Sinfonia, will create a new sound work exploring our connection to the Estuary.
- Sleeping with the Dead: A project by YoHa invites people to sleep near the unmarked graves of those removed from London’s Bethlem Burial Ground.
- Estuary Anthology: An open invitation for independently produced art projects to create a creative anthology during the festival.
The full program for Estuary 2025 will be announced in early 2025.