This year's conference is all about the opportunity to unite, to celebrate partnerships and collaboration, and in working together as a whole, ensuring equal creative opportunities to the rural communities we work with.
Join us in the beautiful market town of Shrewsbury for this year's 3-day Rural Touring Sector Conference Tuesday 27th to Thursday 29th June. Everyone is welcome.
Artists Announcement - Updated 21st June
Bursary Artists
We’re very pleased to announce the recipients of our Artist Conference Bursary!
Congratulations to:
Jo Munton (Vagabondi Puppets)
Paul Lawless (Paul Lawless)
Paula David (The Write Network)
Jake Oldershaw (Untied Artists)
Shropshire Inclusive Dance will present a series of eye-catching outdoor performances delving into what we think we’re searching for... Power, Love, Escape, Freedom. 'Here There Everywhere' is made up of brand new ‘pop up’ contemporary dance performances created specifically for outdoor events and festivals. Performed by a professional cast of 5 diverse dancers, the new dances will catch festival and event goers by surprise. The energetic, poignant, and playful dances literally pop up in unexpected places.
Day One - Tuesday 27th June 3pm - 10pm
Dedicated to networking, generating opportunities and evolving working partnerships.
Our Ballyhoo stage will offer 4 artists the chance to promote their work to a captured audience on a boat trip down the River Severn. We have key note speakers, Hannah Lake, Arts Council England Director of Touring and Ink Asher Hemp, a self taught queer, disabled, creator, activist, theatre (trouble) maker.
The night will end with award-winning Elvis impersonator Joe Reeve (Best Sideburns: GlosVegas 2014) starring in his version of the classic Elvis film Blue Hawaii.
Day Two - Wednesday 28th June - 9am - 11pm
The iconic Grade II listed Buttermarket will host our co-curated programme with local rural touring scheme Arts Alive. The focus will be on collaborations and partnerships that bring innovative ways of working & programming.
Stan’s Cafe will be brining their 'Internationally acclaimed performance installation piece, critically acclaimed Russell Lucas, will perform excerpts from his new show and share his success in engaging audiences and venues through effective marketing. We have a session with creative climate leader Dan de la Motte as well as Pentabus, who alongside the Rural Touring Dance Initiative and Shropshire Inclusive Dance are showcasing new work. Downstairs will be a digital showcase by RTDI and Opensky and a new library audio piece from Spot On Lancashire.
The evening will be a chance to better explore the installations, enjoy a 5 course tasting menu from the local food hub and Glastonbury's Emerging Talent Competition Winner, Guinea master musician N'Famady Kayoute.
Day Three - Thursday 29th June - 9:30am - 3pm
We will take over Shrewsbury's Museum and Art Gallery with a focus on outdoor touring, showcasing and international partnerships.
Look out for Timberlina - The World's No. 1 Environmentally-Friendly Bearded Drag Lady performing alongside Applause Rural Touring artists in Shrewsbury town square as part of our outdoor programme showcase. We also have guests from the Atlantic Presenters, Arts on Tour New Zealand and Cairn to Cove on our International Touring Panel.
Access
We want to ensure that everyone is able to attend and make the most of the event. That's why we're offering a range of services and support to meet your access needs.
We plan to have an open and relaxed atmosphere, and chill out spaces will be available. We understand that everyone has different requirements and we want to make sure that our conference can be enjoyed by all.
If you have any concerns or any specific requirements that you would like to discuss with us, please contact Jess on project@nrtf.org.uk or message us on social media if you prefer.
Hannah Lake
Ink Asher Hemp
Holly Lombardo
Holly Lombardo
Ink Asher Hemp
Ballyhoo Artists
Ink Asher Hemp
Spitz & Co
Ballyhoo Artists
Ballyhoo Artists
