Folkestone Triennial
Folkestone Triennial 2025: How Lies the Land has now come to a close. You can still explore the artworks, themes, and stories from this year’s festival here, and discover many permanent and long-term installations that remain across the town.
For more information about visiting Creative Folkestone, please head over to our Visitor Information section.
What is Folkestone Triennial?
Founded in 2008, the Folkestone Triennial invites internationally acclaimed artists to use the town as their gallery. Every three years, around 20 artworks are commissioned in response to Folkestone’s rich coastal landscape, layered history and complex present. The result is a powerful, site-specific exhibition in public space - offering a bold, thought-provoking encounter with art in the everyday.
Many artworks remain in place and contribute towards the Folkestone Artworks exhibition. The Triennial is one of only a handful of recurring exhibitions worldwide - alongside Skulptur Projekte Münster (Germany), Echigo-Tsumari (Japan) and SITE Santa Fe (USA) - that aim to transform place through art, not only in the physical environment but in the consciousness of the community.
Artists commissioned across past editions include Dorothy Cross, Cornelia Parker, Christian Boltanski, Jeremy Deller, Cristina Iglesias, Martin Creed, Mark Wallinger, Richard Wilson, Andy Goldsworthy and AK Dolven. Together, they’ve helped position Folkestone firmly on the international art map.
Folkestone Fringe & Open Art Folke
Together, Folkestone Fringe and Open Art Folkeshow how creativity lives in every part of Folkestone, reflecting the diversity, passion and talent of those who call this town home.
Folkestone Fringe
Going beyond the Exhibition
Folkestone Fringe creates art projects that connect people to each other and the places we live.
Running alongside the Triennial since 2007, this year’s Fringe builds on that legacy with a town-wide campaign: “These Hands Make.” Inspired by this year’s curatorial theme, Flint & Clay, the Fringe invites artists and the public alike to show what they can shape - together - using the tools, materials, and stories they already hold. The hands that make Folkestone what it is.
6 weeks of free art you can walk to and through - exhibitions, performances, installations, events and talks powered by Folkestone Artists.
From curious passers by to people on the hunt for art - everyone is invited.
→ Discover more at: folkestonefringe.com
Open Art Folke
Celebrating Folkestone's creative community
Open Art Folke is Folkestone's new artist-led festival that celebrates the work of the local creative community.
From July through to October, artists of all ages and backgrounds open up their studios, homes and practices. From paintings and textiles to film, sculpture, performance and sound – you’ll find great art waiting to be discovered in artist's own spaces, shops and public places.
This is an open pass to connect with local artists, discover more about how they make their work and potentially even create your own art in response.
→ Discover more at openartfolke.com
