The festival was organized through efforts of the British government, the British Council (the UK cultural exchange agency), and many Minnesota arts, cultural, business, and religious institutions. Its purpose was to publicize and celebrate the contributions made by English, Scottish, Welsh, and Irish peoples to the culture of Minnesota. The festival was planned as a series of closely related music and theatrical performances, art exhibits, and literary events in the Twin Cities. The festival was funded by $100,000 grants from both the British Council and the Honeywell Foundation (supplemented by additional fund raising), and was organized and led by a steering committee composed largely of local business and arts leaders.
The principal institutions that planned and performed or hosted the events were the Cathedral Church of St. Mark Music Series, the Children's Theatre Company, the Minneapolis Institute of Arts, the Minnesota Composers Forum, the Minnesota Opera, the Minnesota Orchestra, the Plymouth Music Series, the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, the Guthrie Theatre, and the Walker Arts Center. The King's College Choir were the principal British performers, and the British Crown was represented by Princess Alexandra and the Honourable Angus Ogilvy. Local business sponsors included the Dayton-Hudson Corporation, Honeywell, and the Minneapolis Chamber of Commerce. The principal events took place September-November 1985, although many associated events and activities by local cultural institutions stretched into 1986.
From the guide to the Festival records., 1984-1985., (Minnesota Historical Society)
