About Us

Inclusive Arts. Connected Communities. Creative Futures.

The West Oxfordshire Performing Arts Foundation (WOXPAF) is a charitable organisation dedicated to enriching lives through inclusive, accessible, and high-quality performing arts education. Rooted in the heart of West Oxfordshire, we believe that creativity is a powerful force for personal growth, community cohesion, and cultural celebration.

Our Mission

WOXPAF is here to celebrate and support the performing arts in West Oxfordshire and surrounding areas. We create inclusive spaces for people of all ages to learn, grow, and express themselves through workshops, festivals, and performances. By offering financial support, encouraging collaboration, and focusing on education and personal development, we aim to build a thriving, connected arts community where creativity is for everyone.

What We Do

We bring people together through the performing arts. Our flagship event, the Oxfordshire Festival of Speech, Drama & Musical Theatre, launches in 2026—offering professionally adjudicated competitive and non-competitive classes in a welcoming, non-ranked format. Participants receive written feedback to support artistic growth and confidence.

Beyond the festival, we deliver a year-round programme of:

• Workshops and masterclasses focused on key performance skills such as vocal projection, improvisation, audition technique, character development, physical characterisation, and textual analysis—including sessions tailored to Shakespeare and poetry.
• Community showcases and open mic events to celebrate local talent and encourage collaboration.
• Subsidised entry fees and fee waivers to ensure financial accessibility for those who need it.
• Partnerships with schools, arts organisations, and local venues to broaden reach and impact.

All activities are open access, with age-appropriate sessions and tailored support to ensure everyone can participate meaningfully, regardless of experience or background.

Our Reach

WOXPAF is proudly based in Witney, but our work reaches far beyond. We serve the whole of West Oxfordshire and warmly welcome participants from surrounding areas—including neighbouring towns, villages, and communities across Oxfordshire. Whether you're local or nearby, we believe that access to the performing arts should never be limited by location. Wherever there’s interest and enthusiasm, we’re here to help creativity flourish.

Who We Support

We support anyone with a passion for the performing arts—whether you're just starting out or looking to grow. Our work benefits:

• Children and young people seeking creative outlets and skill development
• Adults and amateur performers building confidence and community connections
• Schools and youth groups in need of performance opportunities and professional feedback
• Individuals facing financial barriers, through bursaries and fee waivers

We operate on a principle of trust and dignity, ensuring support is offered fairly and without intrusive requirements.

Our Values

• Inclusion – Everyone is welcome, and everyone deserves a chance to shine.
• Education – We focus on learning, growth, and development at every stage.
• Community – We build bridges between people, groups, and places through shared artistic experiences.
• Excellence – We uphold high standards in everything we do—from safeguarding to artistic delivery.

Our Vision

We envision a West Oxfordshire where the performing arts are a shared celebration—open to all, rooted in education, and thriving through community connection. WOXPAF aims to build a region where creativity is nurtured from the classroom to the stage, where financial barriers never stand in the way of participation, and where local groups collaborate to inspire, support, and grow together.

Through inclusive festivals, skill-building workshops, and shared performance spaces, we’re working toward a future where the performing arts are not just accessible—but essential to personal development, cultural enrichment, and community life.