Lakes Alive is a new season of world-class performance and arts events in the spectacular landscapes of Cumbria, the Lake District run by Kendal Arts International in partnership with Manchester International Arts and Tim Garbutt events. 

Our programme launched from 23-31 May 2009 with Reach for the Sky – a series of six international live aerial spectacles in stunning locations across the county (Bowness-on-Windermere, Carlisle, Penrith, Barrow-in-Furness, Maryport and Whitehaven), and was followed by a summer season of events across the county, culminating (for 2009) in Mintfest in Kendal over August bank holiday weekend (27-30 August). 

The London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games are not just about sport – The Cultural Olympiad will celebrate communities, cultures, people and languages in London, the rest of the UK and around the world.

The UK’s four-year Cultural Olympiad kicked off in September 08 and Lakes Alive is one of three Annual Legacy Programmes commissioned by the Legacy Trust UK for ‘We Play’, the Northwest cultural legacy programme for the 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games.

Main Sponsors and Support

The main sponsor of Lakes Alive is the NWDA and the project is funded by We Play (Legacy Trust UK), Arts Council England, and is in partnership with all the Local Authorities in Cumbria.

Support has also been given in various forms by several key funders and organisations including: the Northern Rock Foundation, Cumbria Tourism and the Lake District National Park Authority, the latter including seconded staff to help on the delivery of this ambitious programme whilst further developing their own skills.

» Find out more about out funders, supporters and partners

For additional information or how to get involved, please contact us.