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The Family Arts Festival, taking place in October half-term, aims to increase the amount and range of high quality arts available across the country to families. It will offer an incredible variety of quality art for all the family, with over 2,000 events happening across the UK. Events will cover theatre, art, music, dance, literature, film, circus and more with many events free. 

Listings are now live on www.familyartsfestival.com. Families can search for events in their area by genre, age-range and interest, with new events being added daily.

This year’s patron, former Children’s Laureate and bestselling author of War Horse, Michael Morpurgo comments:

 “The enormous range of events presented across the UK means there will be something to delight, and share with, all members of the family across the generations. I encourage families to make a day - or a week - of exploring the fun, interesting and entertaining events in your area this autumn half term.”

 Alan Davey, Chief Executive, Arts Council England, added:

 “After last year’s fantastic response to The Family Art Festival, the Arts Council is delighted to be supporting another fabulous and engaging programme for 2014. It is initiatives such as these that help create connections between communities up and down the country in highly varied ways, inspiring families and young people.”

The festival is again partnering for a second year running with The Big Draw, which offers thousands of drawing activities connecting people of all ages with museums, outdoor spaces, artists, designers, illustrators and each other.

A snapshot of some of events highlights around the UK:

• The Big Family Arts Picnic; Arnolfini, Bristol
• Psst! Secrets of a White Rabbit by florschütz & döhnert; Barbican Centre, London
• Family Day: Drawing with Indigo; William Morris Gallery, Walthamstow
• Celebrating Gillian Wearing’s new sculpture of 'A Real Birmingham Family'; IKON Gallery, Birmingham
• Salford & Trafford Family Arts Network’s Big Family Play Date
• Dad Dancing; Battersea Arts Centre, London
• The Five & The Prophecy of Prana, Blackpool
• "Moving Stories”; Seven Stories Newcastle
• BP Family Festival 2014 at Tate Britain; London
• Flat Out; The Drum, Birmingham
• Stage Secrets; Theatre Royal, Brighton
• LSO in Wartime: Opera in a Day; LSO St Luke’s, London
• Dusk tour, Fevered Sleep
• Halloween Spooktacular; BBC National Orchestra of Wales and National Youth Orchestra of Wales at St David’s Hall, Cardiff
• Drawing in the Gallery, part of Artes Mundi 6; Ffotogallery, Penarth
• Crafty Capers; part of Dams to Darnley Country Park, Glasgow, Scotland
• Imaginarium; Eastgate Theatre & Arts Centre, Peebles
• Hannavas, Belfast Botanic Gardens – Belfast Festival at Queens

The festival launched in 2013 as part of the Family Arts Campaign and is supported by Arts Council England. 

The Family Arts Campaign began as an initiative of a consortium of six leading UK arts trade organisations (the Association of British Orchestras, UK Theatre, Society of London Theatre, Independent Theatre Council, Dance UK, and Contemporary Visual Arts Network).

For more information and the full programme of events please visit www.familyartsfestival.com