An explosion of dance, street performance, world class art, top musicians, comedians and writers will be coming your way in the 2012 Arts Festival.  Invited guests will get the first glimpse of the brochure this Thursday 24 May, at an exclusive event attended by Cllr Christine Davenport, Mayor of Hebden Royd, sponsors Sweet & Maxwell and representatives from Arts Council England, Yorkshire.

‘This year’s festival has a bit of something for everyone, inside and out,’ says festival coordinator Helen Meller. ‘There’s some superb outdoor dance pieces and we’re delighted to be showcasing some festival events at the Town Hall.

We’re also launching our new wesite and we’re appealing for festival bloggers to come forward. There’s also a fantastic fringe festival taking place all over town which really should make it feel like there’s something happening everywhere. We are extremely fortunate in Hebden Bridge to be such a magnet for talent, artists and performers really love performing here. It’s got all the cultural diversity of a big city in microcosm.’

The Festival is supported this year by a £10,000 Grants for the Arts award from Arts Council England, Yorkshire, a £5000 partnership grant from Hebden Royd Town Council, a £7000 grant from Calderdale Council's Economic Task Force, £1000 from Welcome to Yorkshire, £800 from Sweet & Maxwell and a £500 bequest from Di Smith.

The Arts Council grant is contributing towards a 'cultural decathlon' of events spread across the festival.

Cluny Macpherson, Regional Director, Arts Council England said: "Hebden Bridge Arts Festival goes from strength to strength. It acts as a great platform to both celebrate emerging local talent, and to bring nationally recognised artists to the area. The team are working hard to get art out to new audiences, strengthening their digital presence, and using the London 2012 theme in a fun and refreshing way."

The programme will become available online from Friday 25 May at www.hbaf.co.uk and in brochure format in local shops and venues over the weekend. Box office opens 16 June.