OUR VISION
Artsreach will enrich and positively impact the lives of people in Dorset by connecting and empowering rural communities through creative and cultural experiences.
OUR MISSION
Artsreach will:
- Partner with a network of volunteers and empower them to programme, promote and present cultural activities in their community venues.
- Present a diverse range of high-quality cultural activities which support the health, well-being and resilience of rural communities.
- Stimulate community development through engagement with cultural activities and support vital community resources such as village halls.
- Support a diverse range of artists, companies and creative practitioners and provide opportunities for artistic development.
- Engage with public bodies, business, education and community organisations and work in partnership to develop a thriving cultural offer across rural Dorset.
- Build a sustainable and resilient organisation for the future.
OUR VALUES
These values underpin everything we do, guiding our decision-making, shaping our activity, and informing how we will work with communities, artists, volunteers and partners:
- Ambition & Excellence – we will champion excellent artistic experiences and continually challenge ourselves to deliver work and activity of the highest quality.
- Inclusion & Relevance –we will offer everyone the opportunity to access cultural activity, with a programme that reflects the needs and interests of the communities we serve.
- Collaboration & Dynamism – we will work in partnership with others, including artists, audiences, volunteers and stakeholders, to achieve our vision, and will respond proactively to changing opportunities and challenges.
- Environmental Responsibility – we will embed sustainable practice throughout our organisation and use creativity to encourage conversation around the climate crisis.
ABOUT US
Artsreach is a registered charity that, for over 37 years, has provided access to high-quality cultural experiences, including theatre, music, contemporary dance, storytelling and the creative arts, for people living in rural villages and market towns across Dorset.
We aim to make a positive difference to the lives of people living in rural Dorset, addressing rural and social isolation; developing skills and supporting health and wellbeing by providing the opportunity to participate in and engage with cultural activity in the heart of rural communities.
Artsreach builds upon existing resources and facilities to create a stimulating and challenging environment in which individuals, communities and performers can develop their creative potential.
Our core touring programme is delivered in partnership with a large network of volunteer promoting groups and together we present over 140 cultural events every year, including live performances and creative workshops. Not only do our events provide the opportunity for communities to come together socially and enjoy excellent entertainment on their doorstep, they also support the upkeep of vital community venues such as village halls!
Artsreach is the only countywide arts organisation offering local people the chance to deliver a programme of live performance in their own community. Many of these communities would have no professional performances without this unique model.
Artsreach is a Company Ltd by Guarantee with charitable status. We’re an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation, which means funding thanks to National Lottery players plays a huge part in supporting our work. We also receive core funding from Dorset Council.
Supported by the National Rural Touring Forum, we are part of a network of schemes that support cultural activity in over 1,400 small venues across the UK, each playing an important part in community life and investing significantly in the cultural sector nationally.