Why do you think people in the South Holland and Boston areas don’t get more involved in the arts?

Maybe some people don’t realise that what they are doing is ‘art’.

Maybe as the area is so rural transport is an issue so taking activities to them might improve engament and particpation levels.

Do we need to excite them more by taking them to see things that they didn’t realise were ‘for them’.

Maybe they think art isn’t accessbile so we need to find ways of making it accessbile

What do you think should happen to encourage people to get more involved in the arts locally?

Take art to the residents of Boston and South Holland, don’t expect them to come to it.

Do some high profile events that fit into everyday way of life so they don’t have to go to an arts event.

Put art in places people go to already so it’s subtle rather than expecting them to ‘buy in’

What ideas do you have for exciting, innovative ways to get more people involved in the arts in the area? Please also estimate how much it might cost.

1. Festivals

To have an impact without people having to buy tickets to an exhibition or performance, outdoor performances are often a good way of getting people involved without them necessarily realise they are engaging in an arts event.  Street entertainment, fireworks, light sculptures are all spectacular ways of bringing people out onto the streets.

2. Work in Schools

Parents often engage in what their children are doing at school, either at primary or secondary.  Developing projects which have an element of work that takes place within school time can often prove fruitful in transferring to the wider community.

3. Consultation

We also need to consider how best to consult with people, maybe something like bands on trailers or setting up some street/breakdance in the street might be a good way to talk to young people.

4. Primary School Dance Festival (in each district)

To include elements of cross-curricular learning e.g. literacy, science, history etc. Final performance festival.

5. Dance Factor project (in each district)

Tackles anti-social behaviour and/or exclusion to those living within Boston & Spalding. Hold “heats” in each district followed by a final.  This builds on the current Strictly and You can dance trends and works well alongside Fair Play football but as an activity for girls.