Curious Minds: Igniting Ideas, Against All Odds!
We did it! Curious Minds: a festival to ignite ideas was conceived and built entirely from scratch and then programmed, marketed and produced in under 12 weeks.
It came to life throughout March with an eclectic spread of over 35 book talks, film screenings, workshops, walks and live performances.
If we rewind slightly back to November 2023, then as newly formed social enterprise, Bath Arts Collective, the three of us had a whole host of ideas, some potential venue spaces, a one-pager with a vision for a brand new festival, a very supportive festival bookseller partner in Mr B's, an incredibly kind offer of office space and plenty of wise words from fellow creatives.
What didn't we have? Any funding, grants, branding, existing audience, confirmed festival names, marketing material, volunteers… And time!
But we agreed that our own festival celebrating curiosity was something we believed in and wanted to bring to life. And so it all began.
Which is how we found ourselves on March 7th 2024 at Komedia kicking off with a book talk from the pioneering mental health campaigner Bryony Gordon and the Bath Mind team followed by the Big Bath Pop Culture Quiz - a gloriously OTT night of quizzing and laughter. And closed on Thursday 28th of March with the launch of the book "Manny and the Baby" with a talk with the author Varaidzo and improvised music from talented Jazz musician Orphy Robinson and an unforgettable event with Polari Salon celebrating queer writers Paul Burston, Julia Armfield and Alexis Gregory.
It’s been a brilliant few weeks of book talks, film screenings, workshops, walks and live performances including:
- BBC International Editor Jeremy Bowen, in between Jerusalem trips sharing his insights into the past, present and future of the Middle East to a sell-out crowd, hosted by Bath based writer Alev Scott
- The 7 Hills Songwriters Festival; curated by Bath musician Matt Owens who persuaded a whole host of with musicians including award-winners Elles Bailey, Hannah White, Michele Stodart and Robert Vincent to join him to play, chat and jam on a specially built 360 degree stage
- Comedian and podcaster Robin Ince presenting a stand up lecture on the importance of curiosity, urging us all to explore and marvel at the wonders of the world
- A grief workshop that sensitively supported a group exploring loss through creative writing under the warm guidance of Tamarin Norwood
-A screening of Someone’s Daughter, Someone’s Son - a powerful film exploring rough sleeping and homelessness with a post-film talk from Julian House about their work and what we can all do to support them
- Acclaimed historian Peter Frankopan and scientist Adam Rutherford delivering the first ever Curious Minds Conversation
- A curated evening of film (The Associate) and chat with writer Ellen E Jones exploring the idea that film & tv can solve racism and save the world in conversation FilmBath trustee Roger Griffith
Bath is full of kind, creative and talented people and we feel very lucky to have collaborated with so many over this festival.
A BIG thank you to...
Our team of event volunteers and freelancers:
Laura Garcia Moreno, Fran Carroll, Mia Weetman, Miranda Matthews and Jo Eayres , Daniel Lewis-Jones, Charlotte Mullen, Tilley Sheridan
Our wonderful Bath Spa students:
James Laughton, Sigourney Gatewood-Duncan, Barnaby Lethaby, Matthew Wilkins and Callum Hawkins.
And our venues, partners and supporters:
Apex Hotels, MR B'S EMPORIUM LIMITED, Bath Box Office, Mytton Williams , Nick Spratling, Vicki Cheadle, Fred Mawer Tours, Bath Mind, Juliet Pickering, Papernations, University of Bath Centre for Death and Society, Komedia Bath, Alev Scott, Bath Life , Marisa Bate, BRLSI, Matt Owens, Persephone Bookshop, The Bath Magazine, Bath Central Library, Harriet Evans, Widcombe Social Club, Nearfield , Roger Griffith - MBE, FilmBath, Nik Jovčić-Sas, Freestyle Designs, InBath, Julian House, The Little Theatre Cinema, The Raven
What did we learn?
- You need to be brave and bold! It can be hard sometimes to back yourself and live events are financially risky, energy sapping and time consuming. We focused on using our previous experiences as a solid base and added in a large dollop of bravado and determination to bring the concept to life.
- Do what you absolutely love. Working to put on live events that celebrate culture across books, music, comedy, film, theatre and art make us happy.
- Don't expect to get it all right first time. Despite lots of experience in putting on festivals we've learnt a lot, often in real-time which can be daunting. But what a way to develop and grow!
Will we do it again?
ABSOLUTELY! See you in March 2025...
Kate, Kate and Jas (Bath Arts Collective)
