Participating in the arts as a family can be every bit as productive as spending regular meal times together.  This Autumn half term families of all shapes and sizes from across the nation can get involved with a huge range of arts experiences on offer, many of which are free, as part of the Get Creative Family Arts Festival.

Building on the enormous success of the previous two years, the national Family Arts Festival has joined forces with BBC’s Get Creative to form the Get Creative Family Arts Festival 2015.

From exploring backstage at a theatre to listening to a concert dressed as your favourite superhero or learning circus skills, families are invited to share new experiences. Every generation is welcome, with the festival embracing theatre, dance, sculpture, painting, music, classic children’s stories, fine art and almost every other possible art form. The Festival aims to fire the imagination, to encourage families to take their first steps in participating in activities together and to bring families together through the arts.

The Festival runs from 9 October to 1 November and showcases the quality, depth and diversity of talent in the UK arts scene through shows and events designed specifically with family enjoyment in mind. For listings, information and the family portrait app please visit:  www.familyartsfestival.com

Former Children’s Laureate and bestselling author Michael Morpurgo will return as Patron of the Festival for another year and said “I am delighted to be Patron of the Get Creative Family Arts Festival again this autumn. Now in its third year, there is a huge range of events on offer: from music to theatre, dance to art. There is sure to be something to delight and share with all members of the family across the generations.

“An early cultural experience for children in whatever form - opera, ballet, music or art is a wonderful thing because it opens the door to a life-long experience, a life-long enjoyment. I encourage families to make a day of it together - or a week - exploring the exciting events that are happening all around the UK this half-term.”