OUR WORK
We manage and deliver a wide and diverse programme of projects to reach and engage with new audiences and participants. We work in collaboration with many organisations and partners to achieve our ambitious manifesto so we can enable communities to shape our culture – because we believe that culture changes communities.
Our main programmes, The Outsiders Project, Seeking Refuge and Access BEAF connect with communities who have the least access to creativity and whose voices are often hidden within the cultural sector. Our wider projects, support groups under-represented in mainstream cultural programmes.
Alongside our ongoing projects we curate an annual festival. Our festival is a showcase of the work we develop throughout the year and a focus of our commissions programme and our co-created projects supporting our diverse community.
Our Projects
Give people a voice – because we believe everyone has a right to be seen and heard within our community
Open doors for people – because we believe in a world where there are no barriers.
All our work is supported by our values of generosity, passion and kindness.
Outsiders project
The Outsiders Project is our vision is to show that people side-lined from society can write, perform and create work at the highest level.
Seeking Refuge
Seeking Refuge is a creative, collaborative project sharing the hidden voices of people who have been forced to flee their homes.
Access BEAF
Access BEAF is a strand of our work at BEAF that aims to support artists who may have experienced barriers in accessing and working in the art world. Access BEAF is a supportive group for Neurodivergent, Disabled and Global Majority Artists* in Bournemouth and Dorset.
Open school creative
Open School Creative (OSC) is a creative development network for all artists and creative practitioners operating within Dorset and the wider South West. It is a collaboration between BEAF Arts Co and TOSH (The Old School House) to support our community of artists and their artistic development at all stages of their career.
Our Festivals
Our festivals are a showcase of the work we develop throughout the year and a focus of our Commissions Programme and our co-created projects supporting our diverse community.
Commissions Programme
BEAF commissions new works each year which are showcased at the BEAF festival. Commissions vary each year; some act as a platform for emerging artists to showcase their work to wider audiences or for BEAF to support national and international artists and major-commissions within our festival in Boscombe.
Young People’s Projects
From our mentoring and training programmes to working directly with community, health and educational organisations.
B.A.D. CINEMA
We screen independent films at B.A.D. (Boscombe Arts Depot). We are a community cinema, enabling people in the area to come together and to see independent films that they may not have access to.
Placemaking
BEAF plays an important role in placemaking, using our local knowledge and expertise to develop bold, innovative arts led projects that enhance and improve the local environment.