Sponsorship & Partnership

'Forget the Venice Biennale
– the Thames Estuary is awash with art'

I newspaper, May 2016

Estuary 2021 is a highly visible, transformational programme of arts, culture and creativity created and hosted within the communities of the Thames Estuary – a region with significant ambition and talent, though still often underestimated and overlooked.

Estuary 2021 offers an exciting opportunity to be part of the drive to change this for the benefit of all who live, work and invest in our estuary communities.

Organised by two registered arts charities, Metal in South Essex and Cement Fields based in North Kent – Estuary 2021 relies on the generous support and partnership of individuals, trusts, foundations, public funders and business partnership and sponsorship. We are enormously grateful to all our past, present and future supporters – the festival would not be possible without you.

If you would like to get involved and support this year's artists and programme of activities, there are many ways in which you can help.


Individual Giving

Individuals will shortly be able to make donations of any size. Details of how, and the benefits we can offer in return, will be published soon.

If you can't make a financial contribution, there are many ways you can still play a vital and active part in supporting Estuary 2021 by signing up to our newsletter and spreading the word about events and opportunities to get involved.


Business Sponsorship

There are a number of ways, outlined below, in which businesses can support Estuary 2021 that includes a range of exciting benefits and reciprocal support packages.


MAJOR PARTNER - £10,000 and above
This is a fantastic opportunity for a major business to play a key role atEstuary 2021 as a Major Partner through supporting the delivery and production of events across the festival footprint which will be enjoyed by thousands of festival supporters either in person or online. In return we can offer personal invitations to all preview, launch and other events during Estuary 2021 along with a number of marketing benefits and recognition both in the festival programme and on the website.


FESTIVAL PARTNER: £5,000 - £9,999
Local, regional and national businesses are invited to play a key role in the delivery of Estuary 2021, becoming a Festival Partner by either supporting an event, an installation or offering support directly to the core organisation of the festival. In return we can offer fantastic marketing opportunities via logos and credits on the festival website, programme and social media, invitations to exclusive festival events and even volunteering experience at the festival for staff and colleagues.


FESTIVAL SUPPORTER: £500-£4,999
Be part of the Estuary 2021 family as a Festival Supporter and ensure the smooth and memorable delivery of this unique celebration of Britain’s most famous waterway. We will be delighted to offer relevant benefits in return for your support including credits on the festival website and in the programme as well as VIP entry to public events and invitation to the festival’s closing event.


Should you wish to discuss any of these packages further, or discuss a more bespoke approach to becoming an Estuary 2021 partner, please do get in contact with Jon Cooke [email protected]

Reach and Impact

The inaugural festival – Estuary 2016 – took place over 16 days in September and October 2016 with a programme of art, literature, music and film. The festival hosted 55 events across 7 key venues with 265 artists taking part, attracting live audiences of over 100,000 and a further 23.7 million reached through media and broadcast platforms. 

Estuary 2016 was curated by Colette Bailey, Gareth Evans and Sue Jones. 


Estuary 2021 is made possible by

Principal Partners

Creative_Estuary_New_1   ace

Major Partners

ecc uok thurrock thames_gateway selep medway  thames estuary   ebbsfleet    Ebbsfleet mayor locatekent kentcc gravesham uoe bas_coun   south_coun Here for Culture

Commissioning Partners

book_fest community_fund heritage_fund creative_coast bexleysalford fpg lesnes Essex2020Logo The Old Waterworks Logo UCA1

Festival Partners

arts_human uni_south uni_oxford uni_glas send_pier pla opp_se henley Flowers Gallery logoc2c roh southeastern Thamesmead2 Peabody2 BowArts3 raddison uber arriva Canterbury Dartford Faversham Swale1 Thanet Visit c2c1 Chat

Festival Supporters

essex_diversity SouthEssex1 UniversityCentre1 Churches International Exeter Wales Ramm Artist Grand