Projects
Touring Arts in Libraries – TAIL Project
‘Libraries and Rural Touring Arts’ – maximising the potential of our nation’s libraries.
This National Rural Touring Forum project was about supporting touring into Libraries on a national scale and was funded by Arts Council England.
Latest Project News:
What is next for the TAIL project?
The TAIL project was completed in December 2022. But the NRTF will continue to share resources, library relevant touring work and offering mentoring support through it’s regular mail outs, resource pages and events.. The future of libraries as cultural hubs is exciting and full of opportunity so we will continue to nurture partnerships and support projects that ensure more creative experiences are happening in our libraries.
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) presented a new national ‘Touring Arts in Libraries’ TAIL Project which looked 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 Outcomes
- Identified existing experience, expertise and knowledge through case studies
- Increased dialogue, networking opportunities and collaborations
- Increased skills and capacity of public libraries to programme toured work
- Provided mentoring and coaching opportunities.
- Promoted Rural Touring arts activities in Libraries.
- Supported libraries to diversify their services and engage audiences
- Increased appetite and ambition of libraries
Project Opportunities included…
- Contributing to our national portfolio of relevant case studies
- Joining our programme of networking events and forums
- Accessing new resources, toolkits, best practice guides
- Applying for Library specific commissions
- Attending our tailored TAIL Inspire programme
- Accessing mentors from across the UK
- Qualifying for bursaries to attend the NRTF conference in June 2021
- Taking up Go-See opportunities for relevant, Library specific work
- Featuring as part of our national menu of Library specific work
- Benefiting from free NRTF membership
This project has been made possible thanks to funding from Arts Council England.
Who got involved…?
- Libraries looking to expand their cultural offer to audiences
- Promoters looking for new ways to link up with their local library
- Rural touring schemes looking for artists and Library specific work
- Artists with shows and ideas suitable for libraries and experience of taking work into a library setting
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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