A NEW arts festival for Bath from 7th to 28th March kicks off the region’s arts festival calendar. Curious Minds will champion the importance of curiosity for all, with more than 30 book talks, live performances, film screenings, writing workshops and walking tours.

Described as “a festival to ignite ideas,” Curious Minds, curated by Bath Arts Collective Community Interest Company, will run in venues across the city. The new CIC is “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, an 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 journalist, author and campaigner who will talk about her new book Mad Woman.

There will be screenings of Whoopi Goldberg’s film The Associate, followed by a discussion with Ellen J Jones, the author of How Film and TV can Solve Racism and Solve the World; 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 celebrated with events including a Songwriters Festival curated by Matt Owens; 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 new walk created for the festival, 50 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Bath.

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

Kate Abbey, director of Bath Arts Collective, 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!”

Pictured: Jeremy Bowen; photograph by Johnny Ring; Bryony Gordon and the festival logo.