New sponsors announced as Brighton Festival 2015 launches full programme of events

A plethora of new sponsors have pledged to support Brighton Festival as award-winning Scottish author Ali Smith takes the role of Guest Director in its 49th year.

Southern Water, Gatwick Airport, The Montefiore Hospital, Riverford Organic Farms and solicitors Griffith Smith Farrington Webb will sponsor a number of differing events, including Gauge (2nd - 24th May), an interactive arts installation in Circus Street Market created by artists and scientists, and the popular Children's Parade, which opens the three-week long celebration of culture across the city and beyond.

"We at Riverford Organic Farms are supporting the wonderful Children's Parade this year. Riverford delivers organic fruit, veg, dairy, deli and meat to your door - through this sponsorship we hope to promote the benefits of delicious, pesticide and chemical free produce to families across Brighton, Hove and Sussex", said Stephen Spears, Riverford Organic Farms.

The company joins the likes of University of Sussex, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, Mayo Wynne Baxter, Class of Their Own, DMH Stallard, Nutshell Construction, SELITS, GM Building, Brighton and Hove Jobs.com, Echo Video, Grandad, Hoi Polloi, IEP Financial, Midnight Communications, Moshimo, MyHotel, One Digital, Terre a Terre and WSP in sponsoring the largest and most established annual multi-arts festival in England.

"The exposure of our name alongside prestigious events is very important for our profile. Clients remark positively on our involvement with Brighton Dome & Brighton Festival, which helps cement our position in the city", said Martin Williams, Partner Mayo Wynne Baxter solicitors, sponsors since 2011.

Each year, Brighton Festival attracts inspiring and internationally significant Guest Directors who bring cohesion to the artistic programme. Recently named winner of both the Costa Novel award and Goldsmiths Prize for boldly original fiction, Brighton Festival 2015's Guest Director is Ali Smith.

During Brighton Festival 2015, many of Ali Smith's ideas, interests and passions will be explored in a programme which spans music, theatre, dance, visual art, film, literature and debate from a wide range of national and international companies and artists - from a rare UK visit by 86-year-old legendary film maker and artist Agnès Varda to rising stars Kate Tempest, George the Poet and Hollie McNish.

With three central themes at its heart - Art and Nature, the Crossing Places between art forms, and Taking Liberty - this year's Brighton Festival challenges visitors to look again, featuring an eye-opening array of artists and performers with the power to deliver the world we think we know to us re-seen, renewed, with a visionary twist in the tale.

Sponsoring Brighton Festival and Brighton Dome allows businesses to raise their profile, reach new customers, and meet corporate social responsibility objectives.

For contact and other details, see our Brighton Festival listing here.