An appeal has been made for supporters to come forward and help next year's Norfolk & Norwich Festival as organisers reflect on a successful year.

An estimated 100,000 people enjoyed the free events in May this year, with 26,000 tickets sold for the annual celebration of the arts.

And to ensure the 2012 festival builds on this success, organisers are encouraging sponsors to come forward.

William Galinsky, artistic director and chief executive, said the festival's ambitions were 'bold and exciting' and that the work would attract audiences from across the UK and overseas.

He added: 'But we cannot achieve any, or all, of this on our own. Partnerships continue to be central to our development. We will never be able to achieve our goals without the full involvement of those artists and companies with whom we work and collaborate, of those organisations which fund and support us, and of the audiences and communities whom we seek to involve in the work we do.'

Preparations have started for next year's event with the creation of a new participation and engagement department that will look to increase the reach and breadth of the programme, alongside plans for more large-scale outdoor work.

The festival, which has Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation status, has also welcomed new associate producer Patrick Dickie, who worked with English National Opera, and producer Mikey Martins, who has been working with worldwide outdoor festivals for 16 years.

Mr Galinsky said: 'The festival needs to be excellent in everything it does, and that means making sure we are collaborating with the world's most exciting artists on projects that are absolutely right for Norwich, for Norfolk and for the East of England. Patrick and Mikey bring with them unequalled expertise and energy as well as a host of contacts all keen to work with us.'

For a sponsorship pack visit www.nnfestival.org.uk