When the Big Top comes down and the last firework fizzles into darkness at the close of this year's Galway Arts Festival, its artistic director, Ted Turton, will make his exit. After three years spent programming the festival, and 20 years working for it in one capacity or another, he is going to return to his own graphic design and photography work.

"I feel that I'm leaving on a high note," he says. "This is the festival that I've always wanted to present, so it's a good time to leave. The emphasis this year is on lots of free, open-air events to encourage people who wouldn't normally get involved, and the international theatre programme is very strong as well."

To reflect the festival's growth, the position is expanding from part-time artistic director to full-time festival director, to encompass administrative, management and marketing responsibilities. "Advertisements for the position will appear in a few weeks and we hope that the new director will be in place by the autumn, to start work on next year's festival," festival manager, Fergal McGrath says.