Without Walls

Without Walls is the UK’s leading consortium of festivals and organisations dedicated to raising the profile of the UK Outdoor Arts sector, the fastest growing and one of the most artistically exciting in today’s arts scene.
Without Walls brings together artists, promoters and commissioners to make high-quality multi-arts outdoor shows – from the intimate to the epic – that tour to festivals across the UK and beyond. The consortium nurtures talent and skills by researching, developing, supporting and touring innovative new work that regularly breaks new ground, enhancing the growth of the sector, and reaching large audiences, many new to the arts.
Established in 2007 as a partnership of 5 founding festivals, Without Walls has grown into a consortium of 36 partners, spanning 3 strategic groups. Together we create, develop and tour innovative new work and invest in the growth of the outdoor arts sector.
Without Walls is made up of the Artistic Directorate, the Touring Network Partnership and the Creative Development Network. Find out more about what these groups do here.
Since 2007, we have supported over 200 new shows made by artists working at the heart of the outdoor arts sector, encouraging them to explore ideas in a positive, supportive environment.
We champion and support diverse work and accessibility in the arts, with a wide range of shows from Black, Asian and ethnically diverse artists and D/deaf and Disabled artists.
Over the past 3 years, 3 million people have attended festivals that are part of the Without Walls consortium. From the metropolitan centre of London to the banks of the River Tees in Stockton; from the woodland site of Just So to urban public spaces in Stoke, Doncaster and Skegness – Without Walls’ work reaches audiences far and wide.
Without Walls is funded by Arts Council England as a National Portfolio Organisation.