Project Dance invests in the future with permanent new Yeovil home

Project Dance is celebrating a transformational new chapter after announcing a permanent home in Yeovil, strengthening its long-term commitment to the town and creating a dedicated space for dance, creativity and community activity.

The announcement represents a significant milestone for the organisation, providing Project Dance with the stability and security to grow its programmes, increase opportunities for local people and develop its work both within the region and nationally.

Project Dance, in partnership with the Octagon Theatre and Westlands Entertainment Venue, recently also announced that it has been awarded £49,768 from Arts Council England, alongside funding from other sources, to take a new full-scale dance production, BUSK, on tour across England in spring 2027.

Benefitting the local community and supporting local growth

The new permanent base, BrickHouse Studio on Eastland Road, will provide increased capacity for dance classes, rehearsals, performances and creative projects, while creating a dedicated hub where artists, young people, community groups and professional companies can come together.

For the local community, the investment will open the door to more opportunities to participate in dance, develop skills and experience professional creative work closer to home. It will also give Project Dance greater capacity to welcome visiting artists and professional productions to the region.

James Bamford, founder and Executive Director of Project Dance, said: "Establishing our own permanent home is a transformational moment for Project Dance. It gives us the foundations to build something that can have a lasting impact on our community, our artists and the wider region."

"We’re doubling down on our roots. Having our own space in Yeovil gives us the opportunity to bring professional work and opportunities to the region, whilst continuing to take and deliver our work across the country."

A partnership built around emerging local talent

The collaboration between the Octagon Theatre and Westlands Entertainment and Project Dance to take BUSK on tour across England reflects the ambitions of the Octagon Theatre as an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation, with a focus on nurturing local talent, developing new work and creating opportunities for artists and communities in Yeovil and Somerset.

The Octagon Theatre’s Arts Engagement & Outreach programme, as subsidised by Arts Council England and Somerset Council, seeks to support people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds to unleash their creativity, unlock new interests and skills and be entertained across the region. With projects and activities that benefit health and wellbeing, enrich learning and education in and outside school that inspires and celebrates young talent. Choreographer James Bamford throughout his youth and career has received support from the team at the Octagon and Westlands, and proudly support Project Dance in the company’s next steps.

Adam Burgan, Director of Culture at Yeovil Town Council and Venues Manager at the Octagon Theatre and Westlands Entertainment Venue, said: “Supporting ambitious new work and creating opportunities for local artists and young people is an important part of our vision for the future of the Octagon Theatre and Westlands Entertainment Venue.

“BUSK is a fantastic example of what can happen when local creative talent, venues, artists and partners come together. We’re delighted that audiences in Yeovil will be among the first to experience the production, while also seeing young local performers given the opportunity to take part in a professional touring show. We are also so pleased to see Project Dance with a new home here in Yeovil to help local talent emerge.”

A building for the future of arts

The announcement marks an exciting new phase for Project Dance, allowing the organisation to establish a permanent creative presence in Yeovil while continuing to build its reputation and reach further afield.

The building will play an important role in supporting the continued growth of the local creative sector, creating opportunities for partnerships, education and community engagement, while helping to retain creative talent within Somerset.

With a home of its own, Project Dance is now looking ahead to what can be achieved from a permanent base - creating more opportunities, developing new talent and putting Yeovil firmly on the map as a place where ambitious creative work can be made, experienced and shared.

Project Dance is entering an exciting new chapter, demonstrating how grassroots creativity can develop into high-quality professional productions while continuing to create opportunities for local people. Through strengthening its partnership with the Octagon Theatre and Westlands Entertainment Venue, forging new partnerships, investment, and a commitment to nurturing emerging talent, Project Dance is strengthening the cultural landscape of Somerset and providing clear pathways from participation to professional careers in the arts.