RISE by Henley Festival
Where talent meets opportunity.
RISE is Henley Festival’s charitable programme providing opportunities for emerging talent in the industries that bring festivals to life. RISE was created to champion up-and-coming creatives in visual arts, music and backstage, providing opportunities where they’re increasingly hard to find. RISE supports talented musicians and visual artists at the heart of the festival, while giving future backstage professionals paid, hands-on experience with internationally renowned lighting and sound companies.
Opportunities and success in the creative arts are notoriously hard to find. RISE by Henley Festival gives emerging talent the chance to explore their creativity in a unique festival setting. With funding, mentoring, professional advice, and a welcoming audience, we provide the support they need to thrive.
In 2025, alongside nine on our RISE Emerging Talent Stage, presented by Westcoast, we expanded our programme with Early RISErs, showcasing local school bands and singers. We launched the RISE by Henley Festival Emerging Art Prize, receiving an overwhelming, positive response and celebrating three impressive finalists whose work was displayed and sold in the Audi High RISE Gallery. Two brilliant bands from RISE 2024 returned to perform in The Bedouin, and our backstage work experience grew to include production roles, giving even more young people hands-on opportunities.
In 2026, RISE will showcase even more from powerful bands and soulful singer/songwriters at the heart of the festival. Discover future masterpieces from our award-winning artists in the Audi High RISE Gallery, and see backstage and production students gain hands-on experience.
We will continue to provide financial remuneration to all RISE musicians so that they can do what they love in a supportive environment. RISE award-winning visual artists receive a financial prize and exhibit free of charge at the festival with no commission taken on work sold and all our backstage crew are offered accommodation and a generous fee.
RISE is actively working with local and national colleges and performing arts academies to find talented individuals and groups, whatever their story, who will benefit from the opportunities that RISE provides as part of the Henley Festival.
To enjoy everything RISE has to offer, why not savour a drink at the RISE Bar next to the stage while taking in new music and the beautiful Thames scenery? Or explore exciting, new, contemporary artworks in the dedicated Audi High RISE Gallery.
If you would like to find out more about the RISE programme, please contact emmae@henley-festival.co.uk
If you would like to make a donation towards RISE and support emerging talent in the creative industries, you can do so here.
“I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to perform at Henley Festival with RISE this year. To be included on the same lineup as such legendary artists was surreal. Hearing Diana Ross’ set live from my dressing room was definitely a pinch-me moment! The experience is something I’ll never forget. It is so important for up and coming artists like myself to feel heard & valued during the early stages of their career & throughout. Programmes such as RISE are definitely an integral part of that process. Thank you!“
LEILA MCKENZIE, RISE MUSICIAN 2025
“Thank you so much for the opportunity and an amazing week working at Henley Festival. I had a brilliant time learning about how it all works behind the scenes, and everybody was just so lovely, helpful, and willing to share their experience with me!”
IMOGEN STORER, RISE SOUND TECHNICIAN 2025
“Being part of RISE has been such an encouraging and energising experience. Exhibiting at Henley Festival gave my work visibility with new audiences and connected me with a supportive community of emerging artists. Opportunities like RISE are invaluable; they give young artists the platform, confidence, and recognition we need early in our careers. The financial support and prize money have made a real difference, allowing me to focus on developing my practice.”