Beacon on the Road is Beacon Arts Centre’s groundbreaking community arts programme, designed to bring creative opportunities directly into the heart of Inverclyde. Launched in response to local demand, the initiative takes high-quality participatory arts to venues across the region - engaging children, young people, families, older adults, and some of the most marginalised groups in our community.
The benefits for individuals are real and lasting: improved mental health
Many participants have gone on to join further programmes like Creatability, Dance for Parkinson’s, and Beacon Youth Theatre, continuing their creative journeys.
The project has captured the attention of national and local press. The Scotsman recently praised Beacon on the Road for “redefining how arts organisations connect with communities” while the Greenock Telegraph celebrated its “transformational impact on local lives". These stories reflect the joy and empowerment felt by participants, whose voices and experiences now take centre stage in performances and exhibitions.
Beacon on the Road is more than outreach, it’s about embedding the arts in everyday life, creating pathways for engagement, and ensuring every person in Inverclyde has the chance to express themselves, be heard, and feel part of something bigger.
Beacon on the Road programme is supported by Baillie Gifford.
Beacon on the Road also enabled the engagement of our ever-growing pool of brilliant freelance artists, musicians, writers, directors, puppet makers, stage managers, technicians and more! Partner venues have included:
If you are part of a community venue that would like to be part of our next Beacon on the Road tour please get in touch – KarenT@beaconartscentre.co.uk
“As good as radio plays we’ve seen in the West End.”
Audience member, It’s a Wonderful Life; A Radio Play on Stage
“It's reinvigorated my self-confidence as a theatre artist, and made me determined to remain in the profession and excited to continue to make and develop new work.”
Freelance artist, The Elves and the Shoemaker
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