Curious Minds kicks off in March with over 30 events across Bath

There is a brand new arts festival coming to Bath that champions the importance of curiosity for all, with over 30 book talks, live performances, film screenings, writing workshops and walking tours. Curious Minds: a festival to ignite ideas runs from 7 to 28 March 2024 in multiple venues across the city, and tickets are now on sale.

This exciting new festival has been curated by Bath Arts Collective, a new community interest company that’s on a mission to enhance Bath’s vibrant arts and events scene.

Festival highlights include insights from the BBC’s International Editor, Jeremy Bowen, on the current situation in The Middle East; Polari Salon, London’s award winning LGBTQ+ evening celebrating queer prose and performance; comedian Robin Ince on the adventures of scientific curiosity; writer and historian, Peter Frankopan and writer and scientist, Adam Rutherford who will discuss climate change; and Bryony Gordon, the pioneering author and campaigner who will talk about her new book Mad Woman. There are also screenings of Whoopi Goldberg’s film The Associate, followed by a discussion with the author of How Film and TV can Solve Racism and Solve the World, Ellen J Jones; and Lorna Tucker’s Someone’s Daughter, Someone’s Son, a new documentary exploring homelessness, followed by a discussion with Julian House.

Local talent and venues are also being celebrated with a Songwriters Festival curated by Matt Owens; an evening of jazz and conversation with writer, Varaidzo and award winning jazz musician, Orphy Robinson to launch the Bath based book Manny and the Baby; a guided walk and writing session using Cleveland Pools and The Holburne Museum as inspirations with writer Jo Nadin; a writing day at Persephone Books with Harriet Evans and Juliet Pickering; and a brand new walk curated for this festival, 50 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Bath with Bath Walking Tours.

The festival kicks off with The Big Bath Pop Culture Quiz. This fundraiser is open to all and the theme is entertainment, testing your knowledge of books, film, TV, and music – hosted by local drag performer, Mother.

Kate Abbey, Bath Arts Collective Director, says “We are over the moon to be launching our first festival as Bath Arts Collective. We hope this varied programme of events inspires you to try something new, connect with thought-provoking ideas and have some fun. We’d love everyone in Bath to make March the month to get curious!”

Curious Minds is sponsored and supported by Mytton Williams, Mr Bs Emporium, Komedia, University of Bath, Persephone Books, FilmBath, Little Theatre Bath, TSL Consulting and Good Crowd Media.