Projects
Touring Arts in Libraries – TAIL Project
‘Libraries and Rural Touring Arts’ – maximising the potential of our nation’s libraries.
National Rural Touring Forum to support touring into Libraries in a new national project funded by Arts Council England.
Latest Project News:
What is next for the TAIL project?
The TAIL project in its current form will come to an end this December. We’ll continue to share resources, library relevant touring work and offering mentoring support until then. The future of libraries as cultural hubs is exciting and full of opportunity so we hope that there is a chance to do more going forward..
Project contact: Jess Huffman
NRTF Project Manager
E: project@nrtf.org.uk
TAIL Project Directory of Library relevant Touring Shows:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/12dv7ayeyYglRbivtZa4FK21rHQNVD5Uyz_jOf5Vwhd4/edit?usp=sharing
TAIL Directory
- Do you have a show designed specifically for libraries?
- Or a show that could be adapted to work in a library setting?
- Or an idea that could be developed in collaboration with a library to suit their space or audience?
- Are you a scheme or arts organisation keen to tour an existing show more widely to library venues?
As part of our Touring Arts in Libraries (TAIL) Project, we are inviting artists to put work suitable for touring into libraries forward for our TAIL project Artists Directory by completing this form.
TAIL Project Summary
Funded by the Arts Council England, the National Rural Touring Forum (NRTF) present a new national ‘Touring Arts in Libraries’ TAIL Project which looks to explore the challenges and potential of our nation’s libraries to expand their service offer and diversify audiences through a programme of touring arts.
TAIL Project Aims & Ambitions
- Identify existing experience, expertise and knowledge through case studies
- Increase dialogue, networking opportunities and collaborations
- Increase skills and capacity of public libraries to programme toured work
- Provide mentoring and coaching opportunities.
- Promote Rural Touring arts activities in Libraries.
- Support libraries to diversify their services and engage audiences
- Increase appetite and ambition of libraries
Project Opportunities…
- Contribute to our national portfolio of relevant case studies
- Join our programme of networking events and forums
- Access new resources, toolkits, best practice guides
- Apply for Library specific commissions
- Attend our tailored TAIL Inspire programme
- Access mentors from across the UK
- Qualify for bursaries to attend the NRTF conference in June 2021
- Take up Go-See opportunities for relevant, Library specific work
- Feature as part of our national menu of Library specific work
- Benefit from free NRTF membership
This project has been made possible thanks to funding from Arts Council England.
Get Involved: Are you…
- A library looking to expand your cultural offer to audiences?
- A promoter looking for new ways to link up with your local library?
- A rural touring scheme looking for artists and Library specific work?
- An artist with a show or an idea that would work well in a library setting?
If you answered yes to any of the above then please contact us to find out what opportunities this project can offer you.
Whatever your sector or role, if you want to know more about this project please contact the NRTF Project Manager: Jess Huffman: project@nrtf.org.uk
Keep an eye on this page for
Project updates, news, opportunities, resources and toolkits, a programme of networking, training and go-see opportunities, arts in Library events happening across the UK and relevant sector stories.
Call Out for COVID Safe Ideas for Libraries
Are you a scheme, library or artist with work suitable for touring to libraries still in lockdown. We want to share your creative ideas so contact us and tell us more…
Library Project Call Out
Are you a librarian, a promoter, a rural touring scheme, an artist, local authority or arts organisation looking to enage with your local library through the arts? Then contact us now;
project@nrtf.org.ukFunders




Our TAIL Project ‘Unlocked’ series promotes COVID safe, creative ideas, from across the rural touring sector. These creative ideas are suitable for libraries looking to expand their online creative programme and ways to engage audiences despite ongoing restrictions.
TAIL Project Artist Showcase Session Two March 2022
TAIL Project Artist Showcase Session One March 2022
Artist Meeting: Working In Library 23/02/2021

NRTF Horizons: Digital Conference Libraries & Rural Touring – YouTube playlist of all recorded sessions

The Classics – Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland: Lyrici Arts Library Toolkit 2020
Lyrici Arts Website
Arts Council England Blog ‘How libraries are leading the way with diveristy’
South East Libraries Touring Enquiry Report 2019-2020
Creative Arts East Website
Made by Katie Green Contemporary Dance co.
Paper Work Theatre
How we work with Libraries, Arts Council England
https://www.artscouncil.org.uk/supporting-libraries/how-we-work-libraries#section-1
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The Team
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