Year: 2019

Big Picture Film Festival Launched at Warwick School

LIVE & LOCAL’S NEW FILM FESTIVAL FOR WARWICKSHIRE.

Live & Local are launching a brand-new film festival this Autumn at Warwick School:
Big Picture Festival. Taking place over the weekend of 23 – 24 November 2019 at the Bridge House Theatre, Warwick, this is the first event of its kind and scale to take place in the town and aims to offer a new cultural experience in the heart of Warwickshire.

Live & Local is working in partnership with Warwick School and Warwick School Venues & Events to host the festival, and it will take place at the Bridge House Theatre. This venue – opened by Dame Judi Dench in 2000 – is located at the heart of the Warwick School campus and has grown into a leading local arts space. Audiences will enjoy a professional cinema experience with a large screen, Blu-ray picture and 5.1 surround sound.

Big Picture Festival’s programme will have an accessible mix of mainstream, independent, British and international films. Family favourites are being shown alongside modern classics, and the weekend includes street food, wraparound activities and creative collaborations with Warwick School.
There is currently no permanent cinema in Warwick town which makes access to film difficult, especially for younger people who don’t have their own transport. Big Picture Festival offers a diverse range of films from the likes of Taika Waititi, Josephine Decker, Francis Lee and many more; the event also includes packages of short films and Q&As with industry figures. In order to gain a similar experience currently audiences would have to travel to a major city like Birmingham.

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Volunteers are at the heart of all Live & Local activity and volunteering is proven to increase wellbeing. Therefore, the festival will offer volunteering roles to young people providing skills and experience, and in collaboration with Inspired Villages Austin Heath (a sponsor of the festival), the event will also offer volunteering opportunities to residents from their retirement community.

Live & Local have been granted funding for the festival from the British Film Institute (BFI) through Film Hub Midlands and The Henry VIII Endowed Trust. The festival is generously sponsored by several local businesses including Dough & Brew, Inspired Villages Austin Heath, Moore & Tibbits Solicitors, Russell Lane and Happy Puccia. Such support is a wonderful investment in Warwick and its development as a cultural hub in the Midlands.

Big Picture Festival takes its name from Live & Local’s rural community cinema scheme, Big Picture Show. Big Picture Show enables communities in Staffordshire and Warwickshire to programme films in local halls and community venues. The scheme provides state-of-the-art technical equipment, the rights to show the films and friendly professional support. These events offer a much-needed lifeline to isolated people in rural areas, enabling them to be part of the community on their doorstep – something many people, but especially retired and elderly members of these communities, find particularly valuable.

Tickets are available at: bridgehousetheatre.co.uk/production/big-picture-festival/

A full programme will be released very soon at: bigpictureshow.org.uk
Date: Sat 23 – Sun 24 November 2019
Address: Bridge House Theatre, Myton Road, Warwick CV34 6PP
Twitter: @BigPicShow1
Facebook: ‘Big Picture Festival’ (event live at 9am 26/07/19)
#BIGPF19

For more information:
Contact: Jo Dorey at Live & Local on 01926 402 173 or email johanna@liveandlocal.org.uk
Working hours: Mon – Fri, 9am – 5pm.

Job Vacancy – DGAF seeks new Director

Following a successful 40th Anniversary programme Dumfries & Galloway Arts Festival (DGAF) is recruiting a new Director.

Dumfries & Galloway Arts Festival is the largest rural Performing Arts Festival in Scotland. It has been running a highly successful Festival each May since 1979. In addition to the Festival, it now works with a network of local promoters, venues and community groups to provide high quality performances all year round, under the banner Dumfries & Galloway Arts Live.

Job Title: Director.

Hours of work: Full-time (35 hours per week). Permanent.

Location: Dumfries & Galloway Arts Festival Office, Gracefield Arts Centre, Dumfries

Responsible to: Chair of Board of Directors.

Responsible for: Staff team & liaising with Board of Trustees

Salary: £30 circa

We are seeking to appoint a Director with the vision and imagination to lead the future development of Dumfries & Galloway Arts Festival and Arts Live.

The Successful candidate is required to have the following key skills

Strategic planning skills
Significant experience in Event programming to deliver our 10 day Festival and year round Arts live programme
Excellent organisational and interpersonal skills
Strategic financial management and budgeting
Desired Skills

Ability to identify and monitor funding sources
Evidence of writing successful funding applications
Experience and knowledge of Festival/Performing Arts programming
A good knowledge of the contemporary performing arts scene
If you wish to be considered for the post and would like an information and application pack, please email info@dgartsfestival.org.uk

Closing date for applications is: 5pm on Friday 9th August

Interviews will be held on Tuesday 20th August in Dumfries

MBE Recognition For Rural Touring Sector

Champion of rural touring, John Laidlaw of Live & Local and National Rural Touring Forum (Sector) receives MBE in Queen’s Birthday 2019 Honours

The Queen’s Birthday Honours List recognises the achievements of a wide range of extraordinary people across the United Kingdom. Each recipient exemplifies the very best of our nation.

John has played a significant role in developing the rural arts touring sector in this country, helping bring local communities together to enjoy high-quality professional live theatre, music and dance shows.

John Laidlaw said:

‘Initially flabbergasted and then honoured and then when I found out how it had happened, hugely grateful to all the people who had supported the process. It’s great to be recognised personally for something that you’ve put most of your working life into… but I also think it is a great accolade for the Rural Touring sector. Without the dedication of many other people over many years getting the sector to the scale and respect it now has, the MBE wouldn’t have been possible.’

Holly Lombardo, Director of National Rural Touring (NRTF) said:

‘We are thrilled that someone in Rural Touring has been awarded such esteemed recognition. John has had such a huge and positive influence on the sector and the National Rural Touring Forum directly. His ten years at the helm of NRTF were instrumental in broadening the national feel and influence of the rural touring sector. We at NRTF feel this is acknowledgement for the whole sector and all who work tirelessly for Rural Arts’

About John Laidlaw:

John Laidlaw studied Estate Management, Geomorphology and Archaeology at Reading University between 1974 to 1978, but his love of student theatre led him to work as a stage manager, first at Butlins (Filey, North Yorkshire), and then at the De la Warr Pavilion in East Sussex. He then went to Warwick Arts Centre in Coventry ending up as acting Chief Electrician.

From 1985-1991, he was the Production Manager for the Tic Toc Theatre Company in Coventry who ran temporary performance spaces at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival each year. The company also produced small-scale touring theatre shows each year to equipped and non-equipped venues, two local community tours and ran their own alternative comedy club. The company converted an old bingo hall in Coventry into the Tic Toc which would later become the Kasbah Nightclub.

In 1992, he was contracted to run the touring scheme in Warwickshire ultimately becoming Executive Director of Live & Local which has now become one of the largest Rural Touring networks within the UK, working across eight counties in the Midlands. In a volunteer capacity, John served as Chair of the National Rural Touring Forum (NRTF) for a decade until July 2017. Through his work on the board and as Director of Live & Local he has helped to bring professional art and artists to under-served rural communities in every corner of the UK. Within his work for the NRTF he has also helped other countries to develop their rural touring networks, including Australia and New Zealand.

About Live & Local:

The Live & Local Rural & Community Touring Scheme began in 1992. It supports a network of voluntary organisations bringing their communities together to enjoy entertaining, affordable and professional live theatre, storytelling, music, dance and film screenings in their local village hall, church or school. Developing out of a Warwickshire scheme that had originally started in 1987, Live & Local expanded to Staffordshire in 1995, Derbyshire in 2002, Worcestershire in 2011, and Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire and Rutland in 2015. Today Live & Local is an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation co-ordinating over 650 theatre, music, film and dance performances in 250 rural communities across eight counties attended by around 34,000 people every year.

Live & Local initiated DART (Developing Artists & Art for Rural Touring) in 2013 thanks to initial funding from Worcestershire County Council. DART has supported nearly 50 artists/ companies wishing to work within rural communities, with mentoring, bursaries, and connections to audiences/ promoters. The initiative has also supported the creation of new and exciting work for rural/ community touring audiences.

Big Picture Show is a community cinema service provided by Live & Local which enables communities to programme films in their local halls, with everything needed from the technical set-up to marketing materials.

About National Rural Touring Forum:

National Rural Touring Forum is an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation supporting and promoting the importance of professional rural arts and touring through a network of programming schemes. Each year, across the UK schemes work with 1,650 promoting groups, undertaking 110,000 voluntary hours, putting on productions to over 332,000 audience members who spend more than £1,000,000 on ticketed events. Rural touring is an innovative and thriving cultural sector equalling out opportunities for countryside audiences to access the arts.

Supporting quotes:

‘The rural touring sector is essential in ensuring that rurally isolated communities secure and maintain access to high-quality arts provision and the part John has played as Chair of NRTF has been essential in ensuring that these communities’ benefit from a nationwide network of support and provision.’ Peter Knott, Area Director, Midlands, Arts Council England

‘John has expanded the provision of high-quality arts and entertainment throughout the midlands bringing thousands of professional shows to under-served rural communities.’ David Porter, Company Secretary to the NRTF board

‘Through John’s leadership of the NRTF a strong cross-pollination of ideas and experiences has informed and enlivened the work that we do in Western Australia and is creating opportunities for UK artists and promoters in the UK and beyond.’ Philippa Maughan, Investment Director, Country Arts WA (Western Australia)

‘We are thrilled that someone in Rural Touring has been awarded such esteemed recognition. John has had such a huge and positive influence on the sector and the National Rural Touring Forum directly. His ten years at the helm of NRTF were instrumental in broadening the national feel and influence of the rural touring sector. We at NRTF feel this is acknowledgement for the whole sector and all who work tirelessly for Rural Arts’ Holly Lombardo, Director of National Rural Touring (NRTF)

ENDS

For interviews or more information please contact:
Johanna Dorey or Mollie Davidson at Live & Local on 01926 402 173
or email johanna@liveandlocal.org.uk / mollie@liveandlocal.org.uk
or Holly Lombardo, Director, National Rural Touring Forum. For more information contact holly@nrtf.org.uk 07905896303 (private number for Journalists only)

NOTES TO EDITORS

  1. Live & Local should always be presented with an ampersand. The company is not known by any other variation of this spelling.
  2. Live & Local co-ordinates a rural & community touring scheme helping a network of over 250 village halls and community venues – in Derbyshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, Worcestershire (Shindig), Leicestershire & Rutland (Centre Stage), Lincolnshire (Lincolnshire Rural Community Touring) and Nottinghamshire (Village Ventures) – choose and promote professional entertainment: from music, theatre, storytelling and dance, to magic, puppet and children’s & family shows. For more information visit: liveandlocal.org.uk
  3. Live & Local is one of over 27 similar schemes across the UK who are represented by the National Rural Touring Forum, making it possible for local people to enjoy professional performances in a venue close to home. Combined these schemes promote over 2,800 shows every year, enjoyed by hundreds of thousands of people in over 2,000 rural communities from the Scottish Islands to the Isle of Wight. For more information visit: ruraltouring.org
  4. Live & Local shows are supported by County, District and Borough Councils, Arts Council England and local volunteer promoters.
  5. Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) is given for an outstanding achievement or service to the community. It is intended that this award will have a long-term, significant impact and stand out as an example to others. For more information visit: gov.uk/honours/types-of-honours-and-awards
  6. National Rural Touring Forum: NRTF is an Arts Council National Portfolio Organisation that networks, supports and advocates for the rural touring sector and as an organisation this enables them to operate in a lean and environmentally sustainable way. HQ in Stanford Dingley is a walk commute for the Director, who works in a small but perfectly formed recycled summer house, with no carbon footprint and shows smart use of limited public funds and resource. This has inspired the provocation.

Twitter: @live_local @ruraltouring
Facebook: @live.local @ruraltouring

Spot On Lancashire: Digital Commission Call Out

Spot On have secured funding from Arts Council England to develop a new digital arts strand. This will be the first commission in what they hope will be a long series of commissions over the next few years.

The plan is for the finished piece to ‘tour’ to libraries and village halls across Lancashire in October/November 2019 with a possible launch during National Libraries Week in 7-12 October 2019. At the beginning of December, the work will be shared nationally as part of our new digital gallery on the Spot On Website.

Does this sound like something you might be interested in? Take a look at the full brief and make an application.

Deadline: Monday 1st July, 12 noon.

Download the brief ‘Spot On digital commission 2019 call out brief’ from the box on the right.

North East Arts Touring awarded Young Start Community Fund grant

North  East  Arts  Touring(NEAT)are  delighted  to  announce  that  they  have  been  awarded twoyear  funding  from  the Young StartNational Lottery Community fund to continue and develop their Young Promoters Scheme. The initiative is aimed at young people aged 13 –25 years; enabling them to programme professional theatre productions and cinema screenings  in  their  communities. The  scheme  focuses  on  empowering  young  people  to  become  active  volunteer promoters in their community while learning transferable skills in event and arts management. 

The National Lottery Community Fund Scotland Chair, Maureen McGinn, said: “I am delighted that North East Arts Touring has been successful in securing Young Start funding. This award will make a big difference to the lives of local young people who will be at the heart of both project design and delivery. I wish the Young Promoters Scheme every success as it goes on to develop and expand its project to help young people reach their potential.”

The scheme was initiated by North East Arts Touring’sactive role in the creation of Youth Arts Collective North East, as part of Creative Scotland’s “Time to Shine” Initiate.The  Young Promoters Scheme  was  delivered in partnership with Aberdeen International Youth Festival in 2015.

Since its initiation ithas gone from strength to strength with over 312 young people in rural towns and villagesacrossAberdeenshire learningskills in programming and promoting professional theatre and dancein their community,with a further  2956  young  people  engagedin a  range  of  creative  learning and performance-basedopportunities.Adrianna Butka  a  young  promoter  from  Banff,  said “Through the process of the scheme it was amazing to work with arts professionals and know your part of something big. Promoting these shows gives me a big boost of confidence”

As an outcome of the project, NEAT is delightedto see a significant rise in young people attending professional theatre and danceperformances in rural communities.Lynn Shaw, NEAT’s Young Promoters Coordinator, said “Many of the young people we work with are isolated either geographically or through social deprivation. Up until now the scheme has been delivered in areas such as Banff, Whitehills, Alford and Peterhead. Receiving support from the Young Start fund will give us the opportunity to reach out to more young people in other rural communities across Aberdeenshire”

This is the only scheme of its kind in Aberdeenshire. Emyr Bell, Executive Director of the organisation, said, “Creativity plays  such  an  important  part  in  the  development  of  young  people,  having  the  opportunity  to  learn  life-long  and transferable skills is vital; we are so excited to embark on this new phase of the project through support from Young Start.”The scheme will restart at the beginning of June2019.

Arts Council England Chair supports vision for the sustainability of rural arts

Arts Council England Chair supports vision for the sustainability of rural arts during visit to brand new National Rural Touring Forum Head Quarters.

Sir Nicholas Serota, Chairman of Arts Council England, met with rural arts organisations at the headquarters of National Rural Touring Forum in the village of Stanford Dingley, West Berkshire. Sir Nick was joined by local ACE National Portfolio Organisations Water Mill Theatre, Corn Exchange Newbury, and personnel from cultural organisations such as LIVR, Metis Theatre, New Adventures, McCurdy & Co., Farnham Maltings and Julie’s Bicycle to discuss the sustainability of rural touring. The group spent time discussing green touring initiatives, the sustainability of rural arts, the relevance of professional rural touring and what it might look like in 10 years. The outcome is an aim for a greater understanding of the potential for rural and green touring in England.

One of the top priorities of NRTF is advocacy on behalf of the sector. The visit was inspired by the appointment of NRTF Director, Holly Lombardo, the migration of its headquarters to the South East and the alignment of the ambitions of the sector with Arts Council England’s 10 Year Strategy consultation.

“Rural communities make up nearly 20% of the UK population. Rural touring not only contributes to local economic growth it increases wellbeing, confidence and a sense of belonging in communities. Nick Sertoas visit marks an important shift in the value given to rural arts, and we are delighted to be leading the discussion”. Holly Lombardo, Director – National Rural Touring Forum.

During the meeting Sir Nick stated how important networks like the NRTF are for supporting the sector, sharing resources and the distribution of data.

Sir Nicholas Serota, Chair, Arts Council England, said: “Touring is an essential means for many people across the country to experience great arts and culture, particularly those who live in rural areas. But at the same time, we must take into consideration the environmental impact of touring. These calculations are complex, but It was incredibly positive to hear that these questions are front of mind for organisations like the National Rural Touring Forum and its stakeholders. I hope that we will continue to raise the profile and importance of touring, balancing any environmental impact against the need for people who live in rural areas to have the opportunity to experience art and culture”

NRTF is an ACE National Portfolio Organisation supporting and promoting the importance of the rural arts and touring sector. With 30 member schemes, 1,650 promoting groups, 110,000 voluntary hours, 332,000 audience, over £1,000,000 box office sales this is a thriving sector, that via high-quality programming and commissioning, delivers community cohesion in rural settings and touring opportunities for performing companies.

Across the UK there are currently 30 NRTF member schemes who annually work with 1,650 promoting groups, undertaking 110,000 voluntary hours, putting on productions to 332,000 audience members, who spend over £1,000,000 in box office sales.

To hear more about rural touring, please visit our website –  www.ruraltouring.org and watch our film https://www.ruraltouring.org/work/rural-touring-advocacy-film

Rural Touring Dance Initiative announces call out for artists

  • The consortium seeking to bring more dance to rural venues is on the lookout for artists to take part in its next phase
  • The project is supported by Arts Council England’s Strategic Touring programme and an award from Arts Council Wales
  • The RTDI is keen to maintain a diverse programme and is interested in hearing from BAMER, disabled artists and those creating work suitable for children and families in particular

Application deadline: 12 noon, Thursday 5 th September 2019

The Rural Touring Dance Initiative (RTDI), a partnership between The Place, Take Art the National Rural Touring Forum and China Plate has launched a call out for dance artists to tour their work to rural
spaces across the UK. The project is made possible by a second major award from Arts Council England Strategic Touring program and an award from Arts Council Wales.

The project, which has previously supported artists including Lost Dog, Protein, Joan Cleville, Uchenna Dance and bgroup, is an opportunity to tour existing work to rural locations. In addition to guaranteed show fees there is a limited number of bursaries averaging £1200 for artists with existing shows to adapt shows for rural touring. Companies who have toured with the RTDI have averaged 7 supported shows with fees varying from £850 to £1400 depending on scale and cost. There is also a paid for residential workshop exploring touring dance to
rural locations to prepare artists for the experience.

The RTDI is keen to maintain a diverse programme and welcomes applications from disabled and BAMER artists. And in addition to its usual program for adult audiences is invested in touring work suitable for children and families.

The deadline for applications is midday on Thursday 5 Sep 2019. Artists will be notified that they have been selected for the 2020/21 menu the week commencing 7 Oct 2019, followed by a Practical Introduction to Rural Touring for Contemporary Dance Lab 13 – 15 November 2019 in Dorset.

For the RTDI, Project manager Claire Smith said “The RTDI is going from strength to strength –dance is being repeat programmed by promoters who would not have thought about promoting dance a few years ago
and audiences are loving it  – so apply and get involved ! “  

Find out how to apply here: https://www.theplace.org.uk/rural-dance-touring-initiative-call-out-artists

@Ruraltouring | #ruraldance | https://www.ruraltouring.org/

Artsreach Celebrates Film Premiere!

The team behind Dorset’s rural touring arts charity, Artsreach, are pleased to unveil their brand new short film, showcasing the valuable work they carry out countywide each year.

Since the launch of its first programme in March 1990, Artsreach has been committed to working with over 300 volunteers across Dorset to overcome the barriers of rural isolation by providing communities with access to professional arts events, firmly believing that engagement enriches quality of life.

Every year, Artsreach programmes over 150 live events, with over 11,000 audience visits in around 55 rural communities. Over £30,000 is raised each year to directly benefit village halls and community organisations through the Artsreach programme.

Funded by the Arts Council and Dorset Council, and a member of the National Rural Touring Forum, Artsreach is vital in meeting the cultural needs of rural communities in Dorset, supporting the personal, social and emotional wellbeing of a diverse range of residents of all ages.

Becky Varndell, Marketing and Development Officer for Artsreach says,

“We are really excited to be able to release this film, celebrating the breadth and depth of the work that we programme across the county of Dorset. Our brilliant filmmaker really captures the dedication of our volunteers and the spirit of community cohesion, which lies at the heart of Artsreach events. We’re tremendously grateful for the generous support we currently receive from Arts Council England and Dorset Council, as well as from individuals, Trust and Foundations and companies. Local authority and public sector funding cuts continue to pose a significant threat to the cultural activities Artsreach provides, and it is hoped that this video will reach out to people and help to sustain the scheme for years to come.”

Click on the link below to watch the new Artsreach film:

To find out how you can get involved and support Artsreach visit www.artsreach.co.uk/support

Job Opportunity: Events Assistant Arts Alive

Arts Alive is seeking someone who is good at administration, communication and is energetic and self-motivated. Ideally you will be a performing arts and/or film enthusiast.

Are Alive puts on well over 1000 events a year and we are looking for a new member of our small but dedicated team to help deliver high quality events in village halls.

The post will have some scope for home working but will be based in Churchstoke, Powys.

Hours: 37 hrs a week

The Salary will be: £16,354.00 (£8.50 per hour)

If you are interested please email cerin@artsalive.co.uk for more details.

Deadline:  Tuesday 30th April.

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons.

Arts Alive Welcomes New Live Events Programmer

April marks some fresh beginnings for Arts Alive and Flicks in the Sticks, with a new Live Events Programmer, Cerin Mills replacing Sian Kerry as she leaves after 20 years. Originally from the area, Cerin has been familiar with Arts Alive, Shropshire and Herefordshire’s Rural Touring Scheme, since its inception; this includes the wide-ranging live programme of national and international theatre, dance, music, poetry and work for families Arts Alive offers year-round.


Cerin has had an interesting and diverse career which boasts over 25 years of experience within the arts. Her involvement in this sector began in the 1990’s, inspiring young people’s creativity as a Performing Arts Teacher in Shropshire. Following a move northward, Cerin became Edinburgh Council’s Principal Arts and Learning Officer before working her way up to Head of Creativity and Diversity at The Festival and King’s Theatres Edinburgh. In this position she was responsible for all of the learning and engagement work, in particular some trail blazing work on dementia friendly initiatives and relaxed and inclusive performances. She was part of a programming team selecting local, national and international work for three venues and in outreach spaces and unusual places. 


Fortunately for Arts Alive, after 15 years of working in Edinburgh, Cerin returned to her Shropshire roots. Since being back in December 2017, Cerin has been the Arts Development Officer for Shropshire Council, reconnecting with the thriving arts sector across Shropshire. Cerin is a dementia champion for The Alzheimer’s Society and in her spare time runs training in dementia awareness. 


It is the start of a new era for Arts Alive, with an exciting and inspiring season ahead. As part of the Arts Alive 20th Birthday year, Cerin is planning some participatory work linked to Live events, more details to follow …Welcome Cerin!