Open Sesame

Open Sesame is Creative Folkestone’s programme for artists, musicians and creatives. It began in 2020 to support local artists during lockdown and continues to offer free space for creative practice, experimentation and development.

Free space for local creatives

The Quarterhouse auditorium and The Clearing are available free of charge for local creatives and the Folkestone community through Open Sesame.

You can use the spaces for:

• Rehearsals
• Training and skills development
• Research and development
• Recording
• Live streaming
• Small meetings
• Creative experiments
• Quiet thinking time
• Making noise and letting off steam

Spaces are available when they are not being used for performances, venue hire or learning activities.

Share the opportunity

We offer these spaces free of charge and want as many people as possible to benefit from them. Tell us what you need and we will do our best to accommodate everyone.

Who is Open Sesame for?

We want to support creatives we do not already work with, alongside those who know us well.

We welcome a wide range of art forms, disciplines and ideas. Whether you are just starting out or already established, we would love to hear from you.

There does not need to be a finished outcome. We simply ask that you tell us how the time and space will support your creative practice.

Our commitment to inclusion

We are committed to creating equal opportunities and encourage applications from people who are currently under represented or under supported in the arts.

This includes, but is not limited to:

• People from Global Majority backgrounds
• LGBTQ+ people
• People of all gender identities
• People from lower income backgrounds
• Disabled people
• People with caring responsibilities
• Artists whose work brings together different lived experiences and perspectives

What we can offer

Open Sesame provides up to five weekdays between January and March 2027, from 10am to 4.30pm, in the Quarterhouse auditorium.

Stage
The stage will be clear and ready for you to use.

Sound
You can connect to the PA system using a minijack connection.

Lighting
Standard working lights are available.

Technical support
Technician time is not included. If needed, a technician can be booked at an additional hourly cost.

Looking after the space

Activities must not damage the stage, building or equipment. Please leave the space clean and tidy, ready for the next person to use.