Arts Engagement & Outreach: April 2026 News

Here’s a taste of what our Arts Engagement & Outreach team at The Octagon & Westlands have been busy working on this month…   

Our Arts Engagement & Outreach team develop and deliver programmes and activities that benefit health and wellbeing, enrich learning and education in and outside school, inspire and celebrate talent. Creating work that will support local artists and tell “local stories”. In everything we do and programme we will seek to improve inclusion and remove barriers, whatever they may be, so that everyone is able to enjoy and benefit from the creative arts. Our Arts Engagement & Outreach team look to provide more opportunities for our communities to watch, take part and benefit from arts and cultural activities where they live.    

In April we welcomed over 1,600 primary school children to our KS1 Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra Schools Concerts for the fourth year running. Where fourteen BSO musicians performed live and took pupils on a musical journey from dusk to dawn performing orchestral classics, well‑known film and musical favourites, plus a newly composed song co-created with KS1 pupils in Somerset. Alongside this, we delivered 22 dance, drama and singing workshops in 22 primary and secondary schools reaching more than 650 young people from schools across Somerset, bringing creative experiences directly into classrooms. Plus, we welcomed 12 year 12–13 students who joined the Octagon & Westlands team as part of our work experience programme that ran during the Easter holidays. Students met department managers and spent time with our Front of House, Events, Marketing, Programming, Arts Engagement and Outreach, and Technical teams, building teamwork and communication skills and exploring new creative pathways.  

Read all about it and more below 

Creative Learning & Education 

Supporting in-school learning 

Our free In-School Performing Arts Workshops aim to provide Somerset schools with access to specialist practitioners in Drama, Dance and Music and have so far taken place in 22 primary and secondary schools, reaching over 650 young people. These workshops support teachers in schools to deliver creative programmes with limited resources or relevant arts experience and enable a creative offer without the costs of trip fees or external providers. This month our singing workshops saw students develop skills in harmonic and ensemble singing, with 30 secondary students participating in our Harmony Vocal Workshops and 100 primary pupils enjoying a singing assembly at their school. At the heart of our outreach programme is a commitment to reducing barriers to arts education and supporting teachers to provide the best creative provision for young people. This work continues to build students’ confidence in their own voices and strengthens the creative learning taking place in classrooms across Somerset. 

'The workshop was fantastic and the students were responsive and engaged from the get-go! Exactly what we need as I am no singing expert! Without these workshops being funded we wouldn't have been able to give our students this opportunity' Secondary Teacher 

Over 1,600 KS1 pupils inspired by live orchestral performance 

Our annual KS1 Schools Concert with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra (BSO) is designed to give young people their first meaningful concert experience and introduce them to an orchestra and its instrumental families. We welcomed 30 Somerset primary schools across two concerts at Westlands, where over 1,600 pupils were taken on a musical journey from Dusk til Dawn through orchestral classics from stage and screen. The performance was brought to life by fourteen BSO musicians playing a range of instruments such as flute, cello, violin and clarinet, giving the children the chance to see and hear the orchestra up close. 

The concert featured an original song written by KS1 students from Manor Court, Neroche, Milford Infants, Long Sutton, Preston and Wincanton Primary Schools, created in partnership with the BSO through our Elevate Education Programme. Audiences engaged closely with professional musicians and enjoyed a high‑quality, memorable arts experience. 

'It was brilliant! I loved dancing with the music! It was so fun!' Student 

Talent Development 

Inspiring the next generation to explore creative careers 

We welcomed 12 year 12-13 students to join the team at the Octagon & Westlands in the Easter holidays for our work experience programme. The week-long placement gave young people hands-on experience and insight into the roles required for our theatre venues to operate. Participants met a variety of department managers and spent time with our Front of House, Events, Marketing, Programming, Arts Engagement and Outreach and Technical teams. Throughout the week they completed creative career tasks covering Stage Management and Special Effects Makeup and Design. Students built their teamwork and communication skills and opened their eyes to new job roles and creative pathways, giving them a clearer sense of how their interests and strengths could translate into real opportunities in the creative industries. 

“Before work experience, I didn’t know some of these job roles existed. Now, I’m looking into attending university to continue developing my skills, which before this week I didn’t consider as an option for me.”  Participant

Participation 

Young people take part in the school holidays 

During the Easter holidays, 26 young people took part in an exciting Play in a Day project, coming together to create and perform their own original production inspired by Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. In just one action-packed day, participants explored acting, dance, and singing, working together to bring their imaginative ideas to life. Thanks to support from Somerset Activity and Sports Partnership (SASP) and the Happy Healthy Holidays Fund, over half of the participants were fully funded, ensuring our activities remain as open and accessible as possible. Providing SEN support also meant we could offer additional assistance where needed. The group devised a performance filled with inventive, sweet-themed characters and playful scenes, showcasing their creativity and enthusiasm. Supported by a team of facilitators, the group were guided through the creative process in an inclusive, energetic and encouraging environment. Young people were invited to share ideas, try new things and support one another, helping everyone feel valued and confident. Through performing and creating as a team, participants developed new skills across multiple art forms while building confidence and self‑expression. At the end of the day, they proudly shared their performance with an audience of family members and guardians, celebrating everything they had achieved together. The day was truly inspirational — full of creativity, joy and a strong sense of achievement for everyone involved. 

‘It was amazing to see how much they created in just one day—my child came out beaming with confidence and couldn’t stop talking about all the fun they had!’ Parent 

Arts for Health & Wellbeing 

Building confidence, wellbeing and connection through music‑making 

Last month, 14 members of the Somerset Wellbeing Orchestra came together for an end‑of‑term sharing performance for family and friends. The event celebrated the musical progress and personal achievements developed over the ten‑week term. Delivered in partnership with Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, alongside WATCH CIO and ARK at Egwood, this specialist support-led project offers weekly inclusive music‑making sessions to people facing mental health challenges. Participants explore and develop skills across a wide range of instruments and disciplines, including singing, drums, percussion, guitar, xylophone and keyboards, in a supportive group setting. The end-of-term sharing gave participants the opportunity to perform with pride, marking a significant step in confidence and self‑belief for many. Clear improvements in confidence, musical ability, teamwork and communication were evident, alongside a strong sense of joy and achievement. For everyone involved, this project reinforces the power of music to unite people, strengthen wellbeing and create meaningful opportunities for personal development within a safe and encouraging environment. We look forward to another impactful ten weeks together over the summer. 

‘Seeing what they have all achieved was incredibly moving. The confidence, smiles and pride on their faces showed just how powerful this project is.’ Project partner 

Productions & Events 

Sparking a love of Theatre in early years 

Over 80 babies, toddlers and their parents and carers joined us at Westlands for A Woodland Wonder, delivered by The Last Baguette Theatre Company. For many of the children attending, this may have been their very first experience of theatre, offering a warm and welcoming introduction to live performance. 

This gentle play-a-long theatre adventure invited families to follow Ratty on her journey to learn about the environment, planting their own seeds and taking part in moments of silliness, music and imaginative play. The session blended storytelling, puppetry, simple theatre games and opportunities to move, watch and join in. Ratty had plenty of ideas and, when things didn’t quite go to plan, the children helped her by playing along and working together. It was a joyful, relaxed experience that encouraged curiosity, creativity and confidence for our youngest audiences and the adults who support them. The morning reinforced just how important these early creative moments are in building confidence and sparking a love of theatre. 

“The Woodland Wonder show was brilliant.” Audience Member 

Strengthening Community Connections 

We were thrilled to support Chard Community Day at The Hive Youth Centre in Chard, organised by the local PCSO team and Abri. It was a joyful celebration of community with creative crafts, face painting, local museum stalls, police horses and much more. Our postcard activity invited people to create their own snapshot of Chard and it sparked lovely conversations and moments of creativity across all ages. The day brought together a wide mix of local organisations, each sharing the opportunities and support they offer within the community. Throughout the event we spoke with many residents about our own programmes, from participation and creative workshops to the SHiNE Bursary Fund, Octagon Buddies Scheme and Accessible Ticket Scheme, helping people discover new ways to get involved. It was a brilliant reminder of how creative activity can bring people together and strengthen community connections. 

“The work you are doing for the community is fantastic.” Community Member 

To keep up to date with all the activities coming up head over to the What’s On section on our website or check out our Participate page which will link you to all our projects and upcoming opportunities.