ABOUT THE FESTIVAL

WELCOME

Nestled in the heart of Fife's East Neuk, the Pittenweem Arts Festival is a beacon of creativity, showcasing an extraordinary range of art, performances, and workshops set against the backdrop of Pittenweem's charming fishing village.

With its cobbled streets, historic buildings, and picturesque harbour, Pittenweem transforms into a vibrant canvas, inviting art lovers, families, and curious minds to explore and be inspired. Whether you're returning or visiting for the first time, we warmly welcome you to experience the magic of art in every corner.

OUR MISSION

Our aim is to be a key event in Scotland's arts scene, harnessing the power of creativity and community in enriching lives. We want to:

Celebrate Creativity: By showcasing a diverse range of artistic talent, from emerging local artists to internationally acclaimed figures.

Foster Community: Through engaging with local businesses, volunteers, and residents to create a welcoming atmosphere for all visitors.

Inspire Participation: By offering workshops, talks, and interactive experiences, we aim to make art accessible to everyone, encouraging participants of all ages to explore their creativity.

Preserve Tradition: While embracing innovation, we honour the rich cultural heritage of Pittenweem and the East Neuk, ensuring the arts continue to thrive in this historic setting.

Following research carried out in 2023, there are a number of areas of focus for our future development. These areas of improvement include:

Sustainability - how do we lessen the carbon footprint of the Festival

Community - how do we build stronger relationships within our community and beyond

Diversity - how do we create a broader arts experience, to ensure we are inclusive to all

Experience - how do we address areas such as events, catering and logistics to ensure a seamless approach that satisfies artist, community and visitor expectations.

HISTORY OF THE FESTIVAL

The Pittenweem Arts Festival was born from a simple idea: to transform the village's atmospheric spaces - from fishermen's cottages to historic buildings - into unique venues for art exhibitions and events. Since its inception in the early 1980s, the festival has grown exponentially, becoming a much-anticipated annual event. Each year, Pittenweem bursts into life, with artists and visitors from across the globe converging to celebrate the arts. The festival's success lies not only in its stunning exhibitions but also in its community setting and the shared passion for art that it fosters.

Previous Featured Artists

Over the years, the Pittenweem Arts Festival has had the honour of hosting an impressive roster of invited artists, each bringing their unique vision and voice to our village. These have included renowned painters, sculptors and multimedia artists, reflecting the festival's commitment to diversity in the arts. Highlights have included such luminaries as Alasdair Gray, John Byrne and, last year, Joyce Gunn Cairns.

This year we are exceptionally excited about the calibre of our invited artists. Discover new perspectives, meet the artists themselves, and be part of our ongoing story.

HOW WE OPERATE

The Pittenweem Arts Festival is proud to operate under a robust governance structure that aligns with the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) requirements, ensuring transparency, accountability, and integrity in all our activities. Our dedicated Board and Trustees, composed of local residents and arts professionals, oversees the festival's strategic direction, financial health, and day-to-day operations on a voluntary basis.

The Festival is a complex project and costs around £130,000 to put on every year. Our funding comes from artist registrations, brochure sales and car parking donations. This year we had additional funding for our events from Fife Council. All funds we raise go into the running of the Festival, and we try to make small donations where we can back to the community to thank them for their support. For example, in 2024 we supported the School football team and the new playpark.

MEET OUR BOARD!

We believe in the power of community involvement and transparency in shaping the future of the Pittenweem Arts Festival. In 2024 we ran some research to understand more about our community's needs, to adjust our approach to the Festival logistics, but we welcome any additional reflections, any time. We also warmly invite the public to join us at our Annual General Meeting (AGM), where we discuss the festival's strategy, achievements, and future plans.

Our AGM is held annually at Art@47 on the High Street. It's a wonderful opportunity for anyone interested in contributing to the festival's success or learning more about our behind-the-scenes work to come together, share ideas, and become an integral part of our journey. If you'd like to join us at our AGM, contact us .

Together, we want continue to build an inclusive, vibrant, and sustainable arts festival that celebrates the rich cultural heritage of Pittenweem and the wider East Neuk area.