10th edition of Marmalade Festival returns to the Old Fire Station

The Old Fire Station and Oxford Hub are thrilled to present 90 free sessions to the public from 9 to 12 April. Across 12 locations in Oxford city, hosts from across the world will share, learn and collaborate with those who want to involve themselves in social change. 

Jeremy Spafford, Associate Director of the OFS, has said, “Once a year, OFS becomes a massive melting pot of people from all over the planet sharing ideas about how to make the world a better place. And we love it. Amidst all the gloom and anxiety, Marmalade Festival is a moment to celebrate the impressive work that so many people do to encourage kindness, connection and fairness. Free to attend, Marmalade is the place to meet interesting people, learn and enjoy and, as a small arts centre, we feel privileged to be able to make it happen. Come!” 

Originally based at the Jam Factory, the Oxford Jam began in 2010 as a fringe event to the Skoll World Forum initiated by Ben Metz from CIVA. Oxford Jam moved to the OFS in 2012 and in 2015, the OFS started to co-produce with CIVA. The programme developed and there was a shift from social enterprise towards social justice and social innovation. This new spread of discussion meant Jam became Marmalade. 

Last year, the festival welcomed over 2,000 attendees in 18 venues across Oxford. In the 78 sessions there were film screenings, panel discussions, movement workshops and much more. This year will see an increase in sessions and new hosts joining the Marmalade Festival roster.  

Highlights include What’s Art Got To Do With Social Change? Senior leaders from the OFS, Barbican, Royal Exchange Manchester and Guildhall School of Music and Drama will ask questions and learn from the audience; who makes the decisions about what we do and how we do it?   

Ashoka join us as a new host, with Climate Conversations Along the Thames. It will be a unique journey of exploring innovative environmental solutions while engaging in thought-provoking discussions. 

The OFS works in partnership with the Skoll World Forum and welcomes their delegates to present and attend sessions. The 2024 Skoll World Forum takes place alongside Marmalade Festival, with some sessions available online. The annual Forum shines a spotlight on some of the most promising solutions and impactful social innovations and connects leaders who are driving social progress around the world.  

“The Skoll Foundation is pleased to partner with Marmalade on the Marmalade Festival at the Skoll World Forum,” says Jessica Goldstein, Managing Director of Convenings for the Foundation. “Our shared commitment to social progress brings together hundreds of local and global changemakers every year to create an ecosystem of independent events during the Forum. We look forward to offering a dynamic space of learning, connection, and collaboration for everyone dedicated to progress.” 

Expectations for the 2024 festival are multifold. 2023 was the biggest OFS has ever organised – both in session and attendee numbers, and 2024 has already surpassed the session number. More importantly, Marmalade Festival, and the Skoll World Forum, are an incredible opportunity to drive change. Through these coproduced and collaborative sessions, OFS has confidence that connections will be made that will work towards improving the world we live in.