Lancashire Libraries will host professional live theatre, arts, music and children’s shows from September.
The rural touring scheme, Spot On, has organised performances in 11 of Lancashire County Council’s libraries, this autumn.
The project will support library staff and community groups to host and promote these events, to be enjoyed by local residents. A variety of shows are planned including theatre suitable for all ages and live music.
The first performance will be a show for young children, ‘The Adventures of Pom’, at Fleetwood Library on Wednesday 16 September at 10.30am.
This three-year project builds on 20 years of work by Spot On and Cheshire Rural Touring Arts (CRTA), working with volunteers across rural areas to host high quality arts events in community venues.
County Councillor Marcus Johnstone, Lancashire County Council’s cabinet member for environment, planning and cultural services, said: “If people can choose a show they want to see in a nearby community building they like to visit, then they will tell their neighbours and friends about it, and more people are likely to come along in the future and enjoy it.
“This project will enable library staff and community groups to promote professional arts events relevant to their communities and encourage new people to enjoy cultural activities in their local libraries.”
Spot On and CRTA were awarded £203,602 by Arts Council England over three years to deliver the project across Lancashire and Cheshire with Lancashire receiving 74% of this funding.
The project is aimed at areas where the numbers of people enjoying arts and culture are low.
Lancashire County Council’s Libraries, Museums, Culture and Registrar Services have invested £15,000 over three years to support this project.
Spot On Scheme Manager, Sue Robinson, said: “We are delighted to be working closely with libraries to bring this well-loved service to more people.
“We are grateful for the Arts Council’s investment in the project. Libraries will be wonderful spaces for people to have a great night out on their doorstep and I look forward to the next three years.”
Lancashire County Council’s head of libraries service, Julie Bell, said: “We’ve been working with Spot On for many years bringing professional music, theatre and dance performances to village halls across Lancashire. It is fantastic that we are now able to extend this to our library venues.
“Investment by Arts Council England means that Lancashire residents get the opportunity to enjoy quality performances right in the heart of their community.
“There’s a great variety of performance to see this season for a wide age range, ranging from Tibetan dance to Canadian folk and theatre shows.
“Last year, almost four thousand people across Lancashire between five and 75 years old enjoyed a performance in their own library.”
More information about the project is available by contacting Sue Robinson on 01254 660360 or emailing [email protected]
The full programme is available at: www.spotonlancashire.co.uk
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