Activate Performing Arts

24/08/2026

Want to give something back whilst having a fun time? (You'll be in prime position for the best selfies too).

Support us by volunteering at our next event.

Event: Wave by squidsoup part of Dusk til Dark by We Are Weymouth UK.
Date: Thursday 24-Saturday 26 September
Location: Westham Bridge, Weymouth

You can do as much or as little as you can and want to do - this could be an hour or two or a whole day, totally up to you!

If you're friendly and enthusiastic we can't wait to hear from you.

Find out more here: https://activateperformingarts.org.uk/jobs/volunteer/

📸Wave by Squidsoup, photo by Tim Hampton

18/08/2026

Could you be a friendly face at our next event?

We're currently recruiting volunteers to support Wave by squidsoup part of this year's Dusk til Dark by We Are Weymouth UK.

It's taking place on Thursday 24-Saturday 26 September on Westham Bridge in Weymouth. We need friendly people willing to help out with stewarding, collecting donations, supporting with access requirements and being part of our information team.

Sound like something you might fancy doing? Find out more info on our website and fill in your availability on our volunteer application form: https://activateperformingarts.org.uk/jobs/volunteer/

📸Photos by Elliott Franks

13/08/2026

We are looking for volunteers to support our event in Weymouth as part of this year’s Dusk til Dark from We Are Weymouth UK

We are presenting a free immersive light and sound installation – Wave by squidsoup

The event takes place on Thursday 24-Saturday 26 September 2026 on Westham Bridge in Weymouth.

We’re looking for friendly folk who are happy to get stuck in. You might be welcoming people to the event, collecting donations, supporting access requirements or helping the artistic company.

Interested? Find out more and complete our volunteer application form: https://activateperformingarts.org.uk/jobs/volunteer/

10/08/2026

10/08/2026

We're so proud to be a partner on the Flavours project - and sharing the successes so far!

We're pleased to share some key numbers from The Flavours Project, which worked alongside community groups in Dorset from 2023 to 2025.

🌿 959 people joined us for walks and picnics in the Dorset countryside
🌿 22 community group visits explored new corners of Dorset's landscape
🌿 8 community partners
🌿 9 host farms and sites
🌿 9 artists and creative practitioners
🌿 Over 10 languages represented

Behind every number, there are shared meals, new paths walked and connections made across generations and cultures.

Find out more 👇
https://dorset-nl.org.uk/project/flavours

The Flavours project was led by Dorset National Landscape in partnership with Dorset Race Equality Council, Activate Performing Arts and Dorset Food & Drink with support from Grace The Space Project, the BPC Indian Community and the Dorset Ukrainian Community, and made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

06/08/2026

Last week our Executive and Artistic Director, Kate Wood was part of a panel discussion within the Professional Programme at Stockton International Riverside Festival.

Kate was joined by Olivier Lataste, Director of Cratère Scene nationale Alès, and Sho Shibata, Director of Outdoor Arts UK to speak on the topic of 'Culture, Identity & Belonging in the Streets'. The panel was chaired by Dr. Beatriz Garcia.

Let us know if you were there and what you took away from the session!

Xtrax in partnership with Outdoor Arts UK and Without Walls UK present a professional showcase and networking programme alongside the Stockton International Riverside Festival public programme.

📸

30/07/2026

Our friends at The Lyric Theatre in Bridport, Dorset, have very nearly reached their fundraising target to help fix their roof.
Can you help them get over the finish line? Details below👇

WE’RE AT 95% - BUT WE’RE NOT THERE YET. 🚨

We have still have £13,500 left to raise by midnight on Friday to get Under This Roof over the finish line.

This is the final push, and we need every single one of our followers to help make it happen.

Here’s how you can help right now:
✨ Enter our Old Bidlake Farm camping prize draw
✨ Donate to our main Crowdfunder
✨ Text, WhatsApp or forward this campaign directly to three friends who might support us

Every donation, every entry and every share counts. This campaign has come this far because people have taken action and we need that momentum to carry us through these final days.

And to everyone who has already supported us, we cannot thank you enough.

Thank you to our incredible local community in Bridport, thank you to our supporters across the UK, and thank you to our amazing friends all over the globe, we could not have done this without each and every one of you.

Our £256,500 in fundraising so far includes an incredible £170,000 from Arts Council England, over £86,000 raised through Crowdfunder, and more than £400 from our Old Bidlake Farm camping prize draw.
We know we can do this, but we need you with us now more than ever.

Link to the crowdfunder: www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/under-this-roof-emergency
Link to the prize draw: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/under-this-roof-prize-draw

20/07/2026

Just one week left to apply for our Projects Assistant role.

Are you looking for your first step into a career in the arts? This role is for you!

Our Projects Assistant role is part of the Breakthrough Scheme from Artswork so you must be aged 18-25, and fit the Breakthrough criteria to apply.

We're looking for someone who is passionate about performance, organised, and can work well in a team.

Interested? Apply by 27 July.

You'll find all the details on our jobs page, and a BSL version of the application pack: https://activateperformingarts.org.uk/jobs/projects-assistant/

📷Green Space Dark Skies, photo by Jayne Jackson

15/07/2026

What happens when you give young people a mic and ask them about the places that matter to them? 🌳🎤

We recently spent four days at Cornerstone Academy, where 30 Year 9 students worked with the brilliant Isaiah Dreads to create a rap about the local green spaces they use and value.

The workshop is part of a wider project in Turlin Moor, helping us understand how young people use local outdoor spaces and what they'd like them to look like in the future.

Community engagement like this is a big part of our work, and while it often happens behind the scenes, it's central to creating places that everyone can enjoy for generations to come.

Thank you to The Cornerstone Academy Isaiah Dreads and Activate Performing Arts for helping to make this happen.

🎥 National Trust/ Dania SV

13/07/2026

Looking for your first role in the arts industry?
Join the Activate team as our new Projects Assistant and you will have the opportunity to support us with events, workshops and community engagement projects.

We're looking for someone who:

👉wants a career in the arts
👉is a good communicator
👉can work well with people from a range of backgrounds

You will receive:

👉lots of training opportunities
👉a workplace mentor to support and guide you
👉the chance to build your professional network

This role is part of the Artswork Breakthrough Scheme so you'll need to be aged 18-25, and eligible to apply under the Breakthrough criteria. The post is for 6 months from September 2026-March 2027.

Find out more and how to apply on our Jobs page: https://activateperformingarts.org.uk/jobs/projects-assistant/

A BSL version of the application pack is also available on the Jobs page.