touring theatre; touring arts

Really pleased to see this article and in these austere times to celebrate one service which is both resilient and puts a smile on thousands of faces every year. This article tells us:

Some 35 years after Hampshire County Council established the first rural touring programme, this thriving niche of the arts community is finally being given the recognition it deserves.

National research shows that rural touring reaches many people who do not otherwise see the arts, that it makes a valuable contribution to community life, and that it provides new work and creative development for artists. The UK’s approach, with the independent arts sector, public authorities and communities working together, is considered a model of good practice and value for money, and moreover, the sector is growing every year.

The most recent figures from the National Rural Touring Forum showed that in 2015/16 the rural touring network supported 1,659 rural communities across England, Wales and Scotland to promote over 2,856 professional live arts performances for a combined audience of 155,161.

Audience numbers attending shows in rural venues, such as village halls and outdoor events, have increased 26 per cent since 2006/7, when the NRTF first began polling members to offer a snapshot of the sector.

The total number of people to see a show on the rural touring circuit in 2015/16 was 332,140, a 7.5 per cent increase on the previous survey covering 2012/13.