Take Art: Live
The Village Performance Scheme is a well established scheme set up to bring professional, and semi-professional, arts events to rural communities across Somerset. The scheme relies on a partnership between local organisations and Take Art.
By working together, memorable events can be organised in rural areas where people live and meet and so provide a way for people to come together socially. Take Art exists to work with rural communities to promote arts events and provides an agency service to venues like the Regal undertaking to vet performance companies for quality. There are always events coming up that have been promoted by Take Art! Look out for the logo and be confident in attending a quality event.
ARTlife – www.artlife-somerset.co.uk
In April 2000 West Somerset Council’s arts service was devolved to ARTlife, putting responsibility for strategic development in the hands of those engaged in making art happen with local communities. ARTlife is a consortium of nine member organisations and has developed an arts service run for and by the people of West Somerset.
Minehead and Exmoor Festival – www.mineheadfestival.com
A Festival of Orchestral and Chamber Music in West Somerset each July. Originally founded by Tim Reynish in 1963, the Festival has been running for well over 25 years, and since 1982 under Artistic Director Richard Dickins, who stepped down in 2023.
The players are drawn from all over the country but most come from London where many of them perform with well established orchestral and chamber groups. Newly appointed conductor, Christopher Stark, is able to continue ensuring the appearance of well established international soloists, as well as up and coming stars. Christopher is a young conductor based in South London. He is Principal Conductor of the Multi-Story Orchestra, which he co-founded in 2011 with composer Kate Whitley. In 2016, Christopher made a critically acclaimed BBC Proms debut with the Orchestra, leading to re-invitations for 2017 and 2019.
Bridgwater Arts Centre – www.bridgwaterartscentre.co.uk
Bridgwater Arts Centre run a theatre programme of performance, music and film; plus classes and clubs in a wide range of arts disciplines. Their facilities are available to hire, for professional and community groups.
Minehead EYE – www.minehead-eye.co.uk
An indoor youth centre, including Skate park, Games consoles, Internet cafe, Music studios and all kinds of events! Check out the website for details of what’s on.
BBC Somerset – www.bbc.co.uk/somerset
Get Somerset’s latest news, sport, travel and weather from the BBC. You can also find out what’s on at other local theatres and cinemas.
The Coleridge Way – www.coleridgeway.co.uk
A 36 mile walk through the stunning Somerset countryside of the Quantock Hills, the Brendon Hills and Exmoor, a landscape that inspired Coleridge to produce some of his best known work.
Regal Film Society – www.regalfilmsociety.org
Visit the Regal Film Society website for more information.
