Mark your calendars, insiders! The 2025 Folkestone Triennial is gearing up to land on our lovely Kentish shore from Saturday 19 July to Sunday 19 October 2025. Get ready for all-new commissions from leading UK and international artists, popping up in public spaces across town—just the ticket for a cultural seaside escape.
For the first time, the brilliant Sorcha Carey will be at the helm. She’s digging into Folkestone’s geology, geography, and ancient bedrock, uncovering the stories beneath our feet that have shaped human life here for millennia. One of the few international art events that spills beyond traditional galleries, next year’s Triennial will guide locals and visitors alike on a journey into Folkestone’s deep past—revealing how ancient histories can spark fresh thinking on topics from migration to climate change.
Here’s a little insider knowledge: the name ‘Folkestone’ is thought to come from ‘Folca’s stone’, possibly a prehistoric meeting spot. Early references date back to the 7th century AD, but people have lived here for much longer—some 4000 BCE, to be exact! Past Triennials have explored everything from the Victorian heyday to more modern moments in the town’s timeline, but this edition goes way, way back.
Carey, previously Director of Edinburgh Art Festival and now Director of Collective, says: “Digging into the soil gives us space to reflect on how Folkestone’s deep histories relate to our world now—from how communities form to how we connect with the land. Thinking about the deep past requires imagination, and the Triennial will invite artists to respond to Folkestone’s place and context, in turn imagining new futures.”
We’ll reveal the full artist line-up in Spring 2025—expect familiar names alongside up-and-coming stars. Each will respond to Folkestone’s landscapes and stories, shaping new works that spark possibilities for the town.
Alastair Upton, Chief Executive of Creative Folkestone, adds: “We are thrilled to be able to announce the dates for the next Folkestone Triennial. We are energised to be working with Sorcha as curator to develop a new theme and concept for our exhibition and to inspire our communities, local, national and international, who will engage with the event next year. I look forward to sharing the full plans in 2025 and welcoming everyone to the south coast next summer.”
So, if you’re looking for a vibrant weekend in a seaside spot, come see how contemporary art can offer a brand-new perspective on our town—where history, imagination, and community meet. Let’s explore the places only locals know—just don’t say we never told you.
