• Share on Facebook
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Linkedin
  • Share by email
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Linkedin
  • Share by email

Small organisations can punch above their weight by forming judicious partnerships. Holly Whytock explains


Since its inception 12 years ago, Applause Rural Touring has been engaging with networks in rural communities throughout Kent and East Sussex, and offering programmes of live arts events and performances which can be enjoyed in local venues. The organisation responded to a need in Kent to give communities access to professional, affordable, challenging and inspiring creative experiences which would not be available to them in their locale otherwise.

As a small organisation (comprising one part-time director and a full-time administrator), Applause covers a big remit. Over the years, we have programmed regional, national and international artists and companies, providing a range of genres from world music to family theatre. The variety Applause offers illustrates themix of tastes and demand from local promoters across the counties. It has always been important for us to create sustainable relationships with voluntary promoters responsible for programming local venues such as village halls, community centres and small-scale performance spaces. Audience engagement and development is achieved primarily through the work of these promoters within their communities, and Applause encourages, nurtures and supports their commitment.

In 2009, we identified the need to diversify our programme to further support rural communities. As local authorities sought to make cuts, it was imperative to highlight the importance of Applause’s active involvement with communities and volunteers and how this already strengthens the concept of the 'big society'. Although providing work for venues throughout the region was still central to our aims, it became apparent that new ways of engaging larger audiences needed to be developed. To address this, we approached another small Kent-based arts organisation, PANeK (Performance Arts Network Kent). PANeK (run by one part-time director) supports and develops the making and presenting of new theatre and performance in Kent.

Rather than focus on finding ways to save money, Applause and PANeK formed a mutually beneficial partnership and responded instead by presenting ways to engage new audiences across the region and to support Kent-based creative businesses in the development of sustainable practice. There is a long-standing regional tradition of summer village fetes and festivals which continues to flourish, and highlights a powerful sense of community and local ownership. Applause and PANeK conceived Applause Outdoors and sought to offer a programme of professional arts activities suitable for outdoor events which would appeal to a wide and varied audience.

Kent County Council’s cultural strategy stipulates a desire to strengthen outdoor arts in Kent and provided the funding for this new initiative. Estelle Rosenfeld’s piece ‘Take The Pose’ was the first performance to receive the Applause Outdoors Development Award in 2010. The show was then booked for 13 village fetes and outdoor events. There was such demand that a large waiting list was created for Applause Outdoors in 2011. This year, Applause and PANeK offered four shows from Kent-based companies. A re-tour of ‘Take the Pose’ and three additional companies in receipt of funding support through the partnership’s Development Award: ‘HUGe Nest’ by The Galloping Cuckoos; Dizzy O’Dare’s ‘The Tiny Travelling Tightwire Show’; and Acrojou’s ‘The Wheel House’. A whopping 44 shows will be hosted in Kent and East Sussex at existing events throughout the summer. The locations include small traditional village fetes such as Four Elms Fete, which has been running for more than 50 years, to festivals including the Whitstable Oyster Festival and newly emerging summer celebrations such as A Summer Squall in Ramsgate.

Applause and PANeK intend to continue to work together on the burgeoning Applause Outdoors programme and have plans for 2012. The partnership works because the two organisations share the same aims: to nurture local creative talent, to provide a platform for companies and artists across the region, and to introduce new local audiences to exciting, innovative and challenging live arts.
 

Holly Whytock is a freelance arts marketer and events Manager
www.hollywhytock.co.uk; www.applause.org.uk