Tom HallJosephine Burns, chair, Without Walls on making things happen…
This year’s Stage 100 is topped by Steve Tompkins, the architect, with the following citation: “He does not produce shows or run a theatrical empire but has been responsible for a quiet revolution when it comes to the way that both artists and audiences experience theatre.”
Sadly, there’re few outdoor artists in the list (something Without Walls will change) not least as The Stage defines influence as: “The capacity to make something happen, to cause something to change.” And, hey, that’s what we do!
The outdoor arts resurgence across the UK is gaining momentum – new festivals are popping up all over and more artists are coming to love the challenges and joys of outdoor performance.
We have the evidence. The Audience Agency’s Outdoor Arts Audience Report (July 2018) says outdoor arts amplify a sense of community, attracts massive audiences, gets people involved in arts activity as audiences and participants; particularly 25-44-year-olds – note the cultural sector generally sees attendance increase with age.
Outdoor arts are changing how places are perceived and enjoyed, shaping how audiences engage with the arts, and how our artists in the UK are establishing a reputation for quality and inventiveness.