Grantham’s Gravity Fields director explains change of heart after appointment as curator

Rosemary Richards, director of the last two Gravity Fields festivals, has explained why she initially withdrew her company ROSA Productions from the appointment process to curate next year’s event, before accepting the role.

ROSA Productions is an Oxford based production company with close Lincolnshire ties, specialising in festivals, outdoor events and media projects across the UK. Managing director Ms Richards said: “Over the last few years, alongside Gravity Fields, we have been very pleased to have had an ever increasing number of approaches about our work and offers of production projects, so we have been having to think very carefully about our time commitments – which is where we initially had some concerns about next year’s festival. I’m currently involved with a large scale outdoor arts project celebrating Birmingham Cathedral’s 300th anniversary, and a co-production for 2016 with the BBC in Lincoln, in addition to other ongoing long term projects.

“However having been invited by the Council for further talks, and given that the Council will be taking more of a production responsibility we are very pleased to have come to an agreement to curate the programme for 2016.”

Gravity Fields which celebrates Grantham’s scientific heritage has benefited from ROSA Productions and Ms Richards’ expertise in organising large scale events, with last year’s range of attractions drawing in 60,000 people. In a change to the previous two Gravity Fields, ROSA productions will now concentrate on curating the scientific and artistic content for the 2016 festival, while South Kesteven District Council will handle administration and organisational work.

Ms Richards added: “We are at too early a stage to reveal our ideas at this point but suffice to say we hope to bring some of the very best science and creative talent from around the country, and possibly internationally, to Grantham next year, to host events in many venues around the area, and we hope again to be able to bring some leading outdoor arts talent and exhibitions to the festival, funding permitting.

“For 2016 we will also be planning to build on the ideas of our local Steering Group and partners, as well as our national advisors and Patrons, and not least we hope to put Grantham on the map with a very entertaining series of events for local people and visitors to enjoy.”