New sponsors announced as Brighton Festival 2015 launches full programme of events

A plethora of new sponsors have pledged to support Brighton Festival as award-winning Scottish author Ali Smith takes the role of Guest Director in its 49th year.

Southern Water, Gatwick Airport ,The Montefiore Hospital, Riverford Organic Farms and solicitors Griffith Smith Farrington Webb will sponsor a number of differing events, including Gauge (2 – 24 May); an interactive arts installation in Circus Street Market created by artists and scientists, and the popular Children’s Parade, which opens the three-week long celebration of culture across the city and beyond.

Stephen Spears of Riverford Organic Farms said ‘we at Riverford Organic Farms are supporting the wonderful Children’s Parade this year. Riverford delivers organic fruit, veg, dairy, deli and meat to your door - through this sponsorship we hope to promote the benefits of delicious, pesticide and chemical free produce to families across Brighton, Hove and Sussex.’

They join the likes of University of Sussex, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, Mayo Wynne Baxter, Class of Their Own, DMH Stallard, Nutshell Construction, SELITS, GM Building, Brighton and Hove Jobs.com, Echo Video, Grandad, Hoi Polloi, IEP Financial, Midnight Communications, Moshimo, MyHotel, One Digital, Terre a Terre, WSP in sponsoring the largest and most established annual multi-arts festival in England.

Martin Williams, Partner at Mayo Wynne Baxter solicitors who have been sponsors since 2011 said 'the exposure of our name alongside prestigious events is very important for our profile. Clients remark positively on our involvement with Brighton Dome & Brighton Festival, which helps cement our position in the city.'

Each year, Brighton Festival attracts inspiring and internationally significant Guest Directors who bring cohesion to the artistic programme. Recently named winner of both the Costa Novel award and Goldsmiths Prize for boldly original fiction, Brighton Festival 2015’s Guest Director Ali Smith has established herself as a pioneer of form; fearlessly pushing the boundaries of the novel with a deftness and accessibility that has earned her a reputation for being both vitally inventive and scrupulously playful.

Andrew Comben, Chief Executive, Brighton Dome & Brighton Festival said ‘We wouldn't be able to present the sheer number of quality performances, installations and exclusive talks that make up Brighton Festival without the help of sponsors, many of whom also support the work of Brighton Dome year-round. It is thanks to their continued help that we can make Brighton Festival unique and the city itself such a magical place to be in May.’

During Brighton Festival - which runs from 2-24 May 2015 - many of Ali Smith’s ideas, interests and passions will be explored in a programme which spans music, theatre, dance, visual art, film, literature and debate from a wide range of national and international companies and artists.

Sponsoring Brighton Festival and Brighton Dome allows businesses to raise their profile, reach new customers, and meet corporate social responsibility objectives. To find out more, please contact Kata Gyongyosi on 01273 260 810 or click [javascript protected email address].