OutdoorArtsUK National Conference 2027

OutdoorArtsUK is bringing its national conference to Hull City Hall on Tuesday 2 and Wednesday 3 February 2027, with sessions also running at Ferens Art Gallery. It's a two-day gathering that pulls together artists, producers, event organisers, cultural leaders, funders and policymakers from across the UK to share ideas, showcase best practice and talk about where the sector is headed.

OutdoorArtsUK is the national membership and strategic organisation for outdoor arts. They support the people, companies and organisations that create performances, festivals and events in public spaces, and they champion an art form that's open to people of all ages and backgrounds. Their annual conference is one of the biggest dates in the outdoor arts calendar, and this 2027 edition focuses on how outdoor arts can expand its reach and impact and strengthen its position as part of the country's civic infrastructure.

There's a local connection here, too. Councillor Jackie Dad, deputy leader and portfolio holder for culture and leisure, pointed out that ten years on from Hull 2017, the city is now among the best for its cultural offer. General Manager David Doust adds that outdoor arts becomes a powerful civic force when it happens openly in public spaces — which is exactly the kind of thing a conference like this is built around.

So, if you're involved in the scene, it's a chance to catch up with the rest of the UK's outdoor arts community on our own doorstep. The conference runs across Tuesday 2 and Wednesday 3 February 2027, split between Hull City Hall and Ferens Art Gallery.