Here at DAF central, we're still working on the fundraising - so if you think you might be able to help us on that front, do PLEASE think about supporting us.

Otherwise, here are some more ways you can get involved:

Become a volunteer, or even a DAF Associate: Didsbury Arts Festival couldn't be what it is without its volunteers and associates. As one of the most visible ways in which DAF is for, with and by the good people of South Manchester, volunteering means joining the team of people who make the festival happen. The DAF Associates are our group of volunteers with specialist skills to offer (graphic design, workshop leading, audio or lighting for performance, event management, marketing, photography etc.) willing and able to volunteer such skills.

And we need you to work with us all year round, whether welcoming people to the Didsbury Summer Open, helping us sell raffle tickets, assisting with fundraising events, joining the DAF 2026 festival team, or anything else. Do please email us on info@didsburyartsfestival.org to discuss how you can help. You will be invaluable!

Community champions: DAF aims to encourage creativity, and celebrate exciting contemporary arts, in South Manchester and particularly  Didsbury, Withington, Old Moat and Burnage. This means working with all kinds of community groups, charities, schools, arts groups and organisations, particularly from these areas. Do you know of, or are you part of, a group who should be represented? Do get in touch!

Artists: Our Open Call for Artists is now live! Click here to go straight to the application form. We're looking for music, theatre or dance performances, or any kind of visual art or creative activity. From spoken word to workshops for young people, outdoor/parade artists to stand-up comedy, If you're an artist of any kind, or lead an arts, education or community group with creative ambitions, we'd love to hear from you.

Potential venue partner: Do you represent a venue that might be interested to be involved in Didsbury Arts Festival this time round, 27 June - 5 July 2026? If so do please complete this short form - It would be brilliant to work with you!

What ever you want to chat about, do please email us at info@didsburyartsfestival.org. We look forward to hearing from you.

Tankpetrol

Over the last couple of years, Didsbury Arts Festival has done a lot to establish its direction as a contemporary community arts festival committed to growing engagement with exciting new arts practices in communities across South Manchester, particularly Burnage, Withington, Old Moat and East and West Didsbury.

Now in the planning and fundraising phase as we build up to the next festival, 27 June – 5 July 2026, the board of trustees are looking to add to their expertise to maximise the planning and impact of the festival, and to help oversee the delivery of transformative arts experiences in the expanded geographical area.

We hope to advertise paid roles on the delivery team as soon as sufficient funds are in place, but in the meantime we would love to chat with anyone with significant experience interested in helping to deliver and steer the new direction at board level.

If you would like to discuss this as a possibility, do please get in touch with us via our email address - info@didsburyartsfestival.org - or you can message Neil on 07813 312895.

Thanks!