Help us to secure the future of DAF 

Join our board of trustees!

Didsbury Arts Festival is overseen by a small group of people deeply committed to making the arts work for everyone in our area, and we are currently looking for more to join us! 

Are the contemporary arts important to you? Can you spare a little time and energy to help steer DAF as a charity? Have you got a background or skill set that will help us ensure that everyone has a chance to benefit?

If so, we'd love to hear from you! 

just email us on info@didsburyartsfestival.org, and we can arrange an informal chat.

Become a DAF community champion!

Didsbury Arts Festival aims to encourage creativity, and celebrate exciting contemporary arts, in South Manchester and particularly East 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.

This means we are always looking for more community champions, ie people connected to such groups who can help us to ensure the direction and scope of our activities is determined by local people - like you!

Do you know of a group who should be represented? Are you part of a group that would like to extend their involvement with exciting new arts work, perhaps in collaboration with others, and to celebrate your achievements in the festival next time?

If so, do please email us on info@didsburyartsfestival.org, and do complete the survey on the home page.

We'd love to hear from you!

Your festival needs you, because building a better community starts with the people already here.

Show your love for Didsbury Arts Festival and the arts by becoming a sponsor, donor, advertiser, partner venue or make a simple donation. As a charity we rely on your generous support to help us promote local talent and show awe-inspiring art to a live audience of 10,000+, and many more online.

‘Stealth is proud to have been a sponsor and supporter of Didsbury Arts Festival for 10 years. The Festival week always creates a real buzz in Didsbury, bringing the community together and driving up visitors to local businesses. We are looking forward to being involved again.'
DAF Sponsor

Your support makes an enormous difference in creating an inclusive festival for all. We are enormously grateful to our past, present and future supporters. All income supports our festival programme and our work with local individuals through creative engagement activity. Thank you!

Sponsors & Advertisers

DAF sponsors and advertisers enjoy reaching audiences through our national ticket agency, our own 5,000 Facebook and Twitter followers, 20,000 DAF website visits, our printed programme and through dedicated press coverage in both local and national newspapers, television, radio and online.

Your donations directly result in free festival activity for the public, community engagement activity, artists’ expenses, venues & equipment, a team to ensure your safety & enjoyment and subsidised ticket prices for those needing a little help

Become a Silver Cultural Sponsor
Become a Gold Cultural Sponsor
Become a Platinum Cultural Sponsor

How to become a headline sponsor or advertiser
: email us now on info@didsburyartsfestival.com – adding ‘DAF sponsor’ or ‘DAF advertiser’ to the subject line.

Become a Cultural Patron

We are enormously grateful to all of you – past, present and future. Your donations directly contribute to making the festival happen and support subsidised ticket prices for those needing a little help in attending.

Patrons enjoy exclusive VIP annual benefits. You’ll receive exclusive offers, an invitation to the festival launch, an exclusive Patron’s festival introduction by our director and invites to our VIP events.

‘We are so fortunate to have this wonderful festival right here on our doorsteps! As a patron of DAF I really feel a part of this rich celebration of talent and community which provides such an important platform for local artists to develop their careers.'
Patron’s Quote

How to become a Cultural Patron:
Email us now on info@didsburyartsfestival.com – adding ‘DAF patron’ to the subject line.

Patrons of DAF:
John and Penny Early, Max and Cecile Elstein, Deborah and Jonathan Grace, Terry Sheldon and Carole Isis, David and Sue Kaberry, Neil and Sue Smith, Maria and Robert Stripling, Peter and Judy Folkman.

Friends of DAF:
Edwina Dyson, Jan Iceton, Gerry & Cathy McDade

Other ways to get involved...

Be part of the next festival. Whether you are an artist, performer, musician, local venue, community group or education centre, we are always open to developing new relationships and showcasing artistic talent.

Here are some more ways you can get involved:

Venue & business partners: We’re always keen to discover interesting spaces & services to help host our events and exhibitions. We work closely with a range of venues in Didsbury, from churches to shops and gardens, and would love to hear from individuals and businesses wanting to be a festival partner. 

Volunteers: Help make it happen by becoming a DAF festival volunteer. As part of a team you will be well supported with a volunteer coordinator, training and work alongside others to create a friendly and welcoming atmosphere for all audiences and artists. Just email us to register your interest.

Artists:
We are really keen to exhibit and host the work of artists from the local area. Each festival has an ‘open call’ for artists to apply to perform or exhibit as part of our official festival programme. The next Open Call is scheduled to go out in December 2025/January 2026. Do email us if you are interested, and we'll make sure you get the message.

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

DAF IS PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY:

GOLD SPONSORS

Arts Council England
SIEMENS
ABA

SILVER SPONSORS

Julian Wadden
Stealth Design and Branding
Sterling Partners

BRONZE SPONSORS

Salehs Solicitors
The Glossy Magazine
Didsbury Post
Torvell and Partners

CORPORATE FRIENDS

Food Sorcery
Torvell and Partners
Waterside Hotel
The Glossy Magazine