Creative Folkestone

The trust was set up to demonstrate how creative activity can help make Folkestone a better place better to live, work, play and visit.

[9] Sir Roger De Haan has focused his energies on philanthropic activities and the development of Folkestone’s Harbour and its seafront in an effort to reverse the impact of the town’s decline.

The Roger De Haan Charitable Trust provided £50 million to acquire and repair, refurbish and/or rebuild nearly 90 buildings in Folkestone that were previously in a state of serious disrepair or derelict.

Approximately 80 flats, 115 studios, offices and over 50 shops, in nearly 90 buildings,[4] were transferred to The Creative Foundation by the Roger De Haan Charitable Trust (RDHCT) from 2002.

Previously derelict or in a state of serious disrepair, RDHCT acquired the buildings and repaired, refurbished and/or rebuilt them before transferring them to the Creative Foundation on 125-year peppercorn leases.

Site-specific artworks are commissioned for what are often unusual locations around the town and along Folkestone’s coastline,[13] including works from Lubaina Himid, Tracey Emin, Antony Gormley, David Shrigley, Cornelia Parker and Yoko Ono.

[18] High profile participants have included Elif Shafak,  Beryl Bainbridge, Margaret Drabble, Ben Okri and Ian McEwan.

[4] In an interview with The Independent, Upton explained that “the artworks here are almost the last priority focus – the essential outcome of making this a good destination for creatives to settle”.

[2] The idea of the town as a backdrop for creativity is encapsulated by one piece featured in Artworks, titled “Folkestone is an art school”.