Blanchards Bailey renews Artsreach partnership

Law firm Blanchards Bailey has renewed its ongoing partnership with Artsreach – the organisation bringing high quality performances of live theatre, music, dance and family shows to the heart of rural communities across Dorset.

The Artsreach performance programme runs through a network of around 50 volunteer promoting groups, with more than 140 high quality professional events staged every year, usually in village halls right across rural Dorset.

Now in its 32nd year, registered charity Artsreach relies primarily on grant funding and income from ticket sales to provide people in rural areas with the opportunity to choose and promote professional arts events in their local venue. 

As with so many arts organisations, the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic saw Artsreach forced to cancel several performances – a huge blow to the charity and the rural communities it partners, especially in a year that should have seen Artsreach celebrating its 30th anniversary. 

From that point, Artsreach endeavoured to support its volunteers and their community venues, adapting to present performances online, over the telephone, outdoors and eventually returning to a full indoor programme over last winter. 

The latest programme released for the summer is packed with eclectic performances from many exciting companies and performers taking place across a range of rural communities.

Blanchards Bailey Managing Partner Paul Dunlop said: “We are pleased to continue our support of the arts and Artsreach which brings an excellent and diverse programme of high-quality events to the rural communities we serve. 

“We had no hesitation is renewing our partnership as Lead Supporter and we hope the people of Dorset will turn out in large numbers this year to show Artsreach that there is still a huge appetite for these productions.”

Artsreach has been bringing professional entertainment to rural Dorset for three decades and is funded principally by Arts Council England and Dorset Council. The charity is also open to new funding streams, be it individual, corporate or legacy giving.

Kerry Bartlett, Artsreach Executive Co-Director, said: “We are extremely grateful for the ongoing support from Blanchards Bailey. The firm’s help enables us to reach out and reconnect with our communities and community spaces and continue to ensure that people in rural Dorset are able to access professional entertainment without having to travel miles.

“It has been a very challenging time for everyone in the arts community, but with the dedication and enthusiasm of our amazing volunteers, we are thrilled to have presented over 110 performances by more than 60 performing artists and companies since March 2020.”

Find out more about the award-winning legal firm by visiting their website.