An Exciting Week for Artsreach!
Tue 27 Jun 2017
Artsreach to receive four more years of NPO Arts Council Funding
The team at Artsreach are incredibly pleased to announce that the Dorset based touring arts charity has retained its Arts Council National Portfolio Funding for 2018-2022 at a level of £55,319 per annum. The confirmation of this funding will ensure that the scheme is able to continue to bring professional live performances and creative arts projects to rural venues and communities right across Dorset, at affordable and accessible prices.
Co-Director Yvonne Gallimore said “The continued support from Arts Council England is invaluable in enabling us continue to programme our much loved variety of quality live performances, reaching out to the heart of rural communities across the County. Our volunteer promoters work tirelessly to make these events happen all year round, and this funding recognises both the work they do, and the quality of the work Artsreach tours, and has toured over the last twenty-seven years.”
In the same week as the NPO announcement, the Artsreach team attended the National Rural Touring Forum conference, and were delighted when former Director Ian Scott was amongst the winners of the first-ever Rural Touring Awards. Nominated by over 700 individuals, and with winners selected by an industry panel including Guardian journalist Lyn Gardner, the awards recognise the valuable work of productions, venues, promoters, schemes, and staff in the rural touring sector. Ian was presented with the NRTF Special Award, where the judges were looking for an amazing story from the world of rural touring, and the shortlist reflected long term engagement with specific local communities which have been valued over many years.
Of Ian’s national recognition and Artsreach’s continued funding success, Phil Gibby, Area Director, South West Arts Council England said, “We are very pleased to continue supporting Artsreach through the National Portfolio 18-22. They have a strong track record of providing community based theatre, music and dance to people throughout rural Dorset, helping more people in more places experience and benefit from arts and culture.”
"I am personally delighted to hear that Ian Scott was presented a special award for his service to the sector, Ian has been an influential figure in Dorset’s cultural life and the national rural touring scene for many years and it’s great to see him receive this richly deserved recognition.”
To find out more about the current programme of events in rural Dorset, visit the What's On page.