overview
Our Vision ¦ Focus ¦ Aims.
Our Vision
Activate strives to develop a flourishing, performing arts ecology in Dorset, Bournemouth and Poole, and as part of the South West region. The artist is at the centre of our work.
Follow this link to view our guiding principles.
Focus
One of our greatest opportunities is the Cultural Olympiad . For an Olympic event to be hosted on our doorstep is a once in a lifetime chance for the performing arts to create a special environment in which artists and the general public can take part, present and share extraordinary dance and theatre on an international stage. Alongside this, we have the only World Heritage Site with its own arts strategy: the Jurassic Coast – a natural asset that offers boundless opportunities for the creation of new work.
One of our greatest assets is our young people . If we are looking ahead to a better future, they will be the ones to take it forward with us, and for us. There are hundreds of reasons why we should offer and support high quality youth dance and theatre opportunities, not least to enrich young people’s lives and to enable them to pursue a career in the performing arts.
One of our ‘raison d’être’ is supporting artists . Without artists creating work, sharing their skills and enriching our lives, we wouldn't be here. We are a country rich in arts and culture. Supporting the development of artists, their companies, collectives and experimental groups, alongside the spaces in which they make and present work is at the core of what we have done from the very beginning and it remains an important focus of our work. Supporting promoters and producers for extraordinary work to be made, produced and presented here is a vital part of this role and this needs to reflect the unique environment in which we work: with an outstanding natural environment and a mix of urban and rural spaces.
Aims
1. Information, Advice and Advocacy
To offer and provide information, advice, networking, publicity and advocacy services to all dance and theatre sectors, local authorities and to the public.
2. Participation (including youth, education, social exclusion, diversity)
To increase opportunities and access to dance and theatre activities. Activate is committed to challenging perceptions that the arts are elitist and not for everyone, and removing barriers to participation, particularly for under-represented groups and individuals.
3. Continuing Professional Development
To support dance and theatre professionals and our own staff through training and professional development initiatives and enable them to reach their full potential.
4. Promotion and Audiences
To encourage the presentation of a wide range of dance and theatre performances both at existing venues and in other locations and to generate sustainable audiences for them.
5. Production
To support the creation of new work in the county, especially by artists based locally.
We believe the key to success is working in partnerships. We work closely with other organisations and artists across Dorset and the South West to promote and develop an exciting, accessible and vibrant performing arts environment which is open to everyone.
overview | personnel | partners | brochure
