What is Rural Touring?
Rural touring is about more than just performances... it plays an important part in the social life of small communities, it involves people of all ages and backgrounds, it can be a catalyst for community development
Only Connect Report by Francois Matarasso
We believe people living outside cities and large towns should have access to the best live arts experiences at an affordable price. That's why we started the Take Art Rural Touring scheme, which has been successfully serving the villages, towns and communities of Somerset since 1987.
What is Rural Touring?
The Rural Touring service is a very well-established and successful scheme for Somerset with an exemplary track record, set up to bring professional, high quality music, theatre, dance and performance to local venues and communities across Somerset.
It relies on the partnership between local volunteer promoters and Take Art - by working together, memorable social events are organised in rural areas where people live and meet. These events can help play a vital role in keeping villages alive and vibrant, strengthening communities and improving health and wellbeing. The Take Art Rural Touring team have years of expertise to share with promoters.
When are the shows and how do I see them?
You can book tickets either online or by calling the local promoter. It is advisable to call direct to check ticket prices and get info about refreshments, access, disabled parking facilities etc. Many halls run a bar, sell refreshments, or even offer a meal at the event but you may wish to check in advance. Whatever the arrangements, you will be guaranteed a warm welcome, a friendly atmosphere and a memorable experience.
You can opt to receive email alerts about upcoming shows via either email or post through our mailing list. For a large print version of the Take Art programme please contact 01460 249450.
The Take Art Effect
For the 2017/2018 Rural Touring Season, which ran from September to April, Take Art put on 55 shows in 35 villages, working with 20 companies; entertaining and enthralling over 4,000 audience members from across Somerset.
Outdoor theatre companies from across Europe are getting together to share skills and ideas, to look at setting up a rural touring network, to develop a theatre skills sharing programme and to develop new theatre methods. November 2017 – August 2019
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Taking place over two-years, Hopper brings specially created theatre shows into, pre-schools, nurseries, theatres, libraries and children’s centres, focusing on children from less advantaged areas.
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The Rural Touring Dance Initiative (RTDI) brings exciting and innovative dance theatre and dance performance to rural locations, using the established rural touring schemes to help make this happen successfully. 2015 - present.
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We are always interested in your feedback. If you have any comments to make please email Sarah Peterkin, Director of Rural Touring.
If you've enjoyed a great show, we'd love you to leave feedback on our Facebook page to tell others!
Rural Touring News
NewsIt's the New Take Art Website: Tell Us What You ThinkWe are all very excited at Take Art because we have a new look, feel and do website - and this is it! The new website, which has been created with you in mind, first went live in April 2018 and we have been tinkering about ever since - and we think we are nearly there. Now we just need you to have a look and tell us what you think.
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NewsOpportunity: UK Dance Artists Wanted to Create New Work for Rural AudiencesThe Rural Touring Dance Initiative 2 (2018 – 2021) is looking to commission new and adapted work from UK dance companies, specifically for rural touring. Applications now open!
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NewsAnnual Promoters Take Art’s 2018/19 Meeting & Menu LaunchSomerset Rural Touring Promoters, you are invited to join us for a glass of wine and a wood fired pizza, plus the chance to hear about all the fantastic new shows on offer next season, as we present our 2018/19 menu for you to choose from.
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