September Highlights from The Octagon’s Arts Engagement & Outreach Team

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.  

Did you catch sight of the red Ford Orion that delighted audiences in 5 community locations this month?  

Our Arts Engagement & Outreach team have had a busy start to the academic year. In September we saw 1126 people taking part, supported 33 freelance practitioners through paid opportunities, entertained 2,535 audience members with live performances where they live, and hosted 18 workshops in community settings.  

A highlight of the month was our week-long residency with ZoieLogic Dance Theatre Company's Ride. More than 2,000 people experienced the energetic outdoor performance in rural locations, community spaces, schools and Yeovil’s busy Quedam shopping centre.  

We are also thrilled to report participation in our Take Part programme has increased by 32%, where we are currently delivering more than 120 hours of creative activity each month across 29 weekly classes! Plus, we are now supporting 21 individuals through our SHiNE Bursary Fund, a scheme designed to make taking part affordable and accessible for all.  

Read all about it and more by heading to our website. 

Productions & Events  

Bringing Live Performance to over 2,000 people on their doorsteps 

As part of their 2026 tour of Ride, ZoieLogic Dance Theatre Company spent a week in residency with us, bringing high-quality contemporary dance directly into communities across Somerset. The production follows the story of three men and their journey in Stanley, a customised 1980s Ford Orion. Blending 80s nostalgia, daring stunts and physical comedy, the performance sees dancers leap over, on and around the spinning vehicle. 

Rather than asking audiences to travel to a theatre, the production travelled to them. Seeing Stanley arrive in rural locations, schools, community spaces and the busy Quedam shopping centre created a sense of excitement and curiosity, transforming everyday locations into performance spaces. Performances took place at Ark at Egwood in Merriott, The Markers Place in Ash, Pyrland School in Taunton, Wadham School in Crewkerne and in Yeovil’s town centre, as part of Super Saturday – a town-wide event. Designed as a micro-tour to reach new and underrepresented audiences, the project engaged more than 2,000 people through free performances. 

Audiences included veterans, young people in schools, young people not currently in education, and people experiencing mental health challenges, helping to ensure high-quality live performance reached those who may otherwise have limited opportunities to engage with the arts. Many audience members praised the production for bringing communities together and transforming familiar spaces into places of creativity and connection. 

Alongside the performances, dancers from ZoieLogic delivered workshops in schools, giving 52 Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4 students the opportunity to explore the company's creative approach to dance through practical participation. Students left feeling inspired and empowered, having developed new creative skills, grown in confidence and gained a deeper appreciation of contemporary dance. 

"I was so invested in the performance, I just couldn't leave." Audience member 

"It's things like this that our community needs. It brings us together." Audience member 

"It was great that it was free. We need more things like this to get people into the town." Audience member 

"The performance was so cool. I loved how they flipped the car and made their flips look so easy!" Student, Pyrland School 

Photo Credit : Len Copland

Talent Development & Artist Support 

Helping Local Artists Shine 

Here at Westlands, through our monthly Piano Nights and Acoustic Afternoons, we provide emerging and established musicians with a professional platform to perform, develop audiences and gain valuable live performance experience. 

Held in the welcoming setting of the Lounge Bar at Westlands, these free events connect local artists with the community while giving audiences the opportunity to discover and enjoy exceptional home-grown talent. The programme continues to celebrate the rich musical talent across Somerset and the surrounding area, helping artists build confidence, visibility and future opportunities. 

Throughout the year we have supported over 20 local musicians to shine. All musicians are paid for their time and have entertained over 1,000 audience members in the past year. 

Upcoming performances feature Caroline Wallis-Newport, Bex McGinty, David Mitchell and Julie Dunn. 

For more information: What's On 

Commissioning local artists to tell local stories 

We were delighted to showcase Richard Tomlinson's latest photographic exhibition, A Portrait of Yeovil, at Westlands as part of the Somerset Art Weeks Festival. An exhibition which has sparked conversations, memories, connections, evoked pride, recognition and seen our diverse community visually represented on our walls and in our space.  

As part of this year's Somerset Art Weeks theme, Cultural Connections, the exhibition captures the stories, identities and experiences that help shape our community. Created through a travelling photographic studio, the project invited people from across Yeovil to work with Richard to create portraits and self-portraits, resulting in a powerful celebration of the town's people and diverse community. The exhibition highlights those who bring life to Yeovil, from families who have lived locally for generations to people who have recently made the town their home. It also features individuals who offer insights into different cultures, alongside younger and older residents from all walks of life. 

As part of our commitment to supporting local artists and creative projects, we were pleased to co-commission this exhibition, ensuring these powerful images could be showcased and enjoyed by the wider community. 

"These images capture the people, stories and connections that make Yeovil unique. They are truly wonderful." Visitor  

Participation 

Take Part participation up by 32% 

More people than ever are choosing to get creative with us. Participation across our Take Part programme increased by 32% between July to September compared with the same period in 2025. With 29 weekly classes taking place at Westlands we are supporting the delivery of more than 120 hours of creative activity every month.  

Our Take Part programme offers opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to learn new skills, improve wellbeing, build confidence and connect with others. From theatre, choir and street dance to ballet, contemporary and fitness-based classes, participants are not only developing their creative abilities but also forming friendships and becoming part of a supportive community. As the new term begins, we're delighted to welcome a growing number of new participants alongside many familiar faces returning to continue their creative journeys with us. 

"I would highly recommend the classes at Westlands to keep active, make new friends and enjoy a great sense of wellbeing." Participant  

Arts for Health & Wellbeing 

Bringing moments of calm to new mums in Wincanton 

Our 8-week Time Together programme has returned to Wincanton, bringing together 10 mums and their babies for a series of supportive music sessions led by three musicians from the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra (BSO). 

Delivered in partnership with The Balsam Centre and supported by The Octagon Theatre and BSO, the programme is designed for mums with babies under 12 months who may be experiencing low mood, anxiety or isolation. Through gentle, sensory music-making activities, participants have the opportunity to connect with others, build confidence and support their wellbeing in a warm and welcoming environment. Each session finishes with tea, coffee and conversation, creating valuable space for friendships and peer support to flourish. 

“I feel so calm now, I didn't know what to expect, but that was just what I needed today. I can't wait until next week.”  Participant 

Access & Inclusion Schemes 

Growing Access to the Arts 

We are delighted to report an increase in the number of participants accessing our SHiNE Bursary Fund, with 21 individuals currently receiving support to attend classes at Westlands.  Since July 2026, the bursary has enabled 94 participations, helping people access creative opportunities that may otherwise not have been possible. Through the fund, participants have been able to take part in a wide range of activities, including The Octagon Choir, Octagon Street Dance, and Octagon Youth Theatre sessions. Many participants have also had the opportunity to perform on stage as part of community productions, building confidence, performing to live audiences and experiencing the excitement of live performance. 

The SHiNE Bursary plays a vital role in removing financial barriers and ensuring that everyone in our community has the opportunity to be creative, develop new skills, build confidence and connect with others. By making arts activities more accessible, the fund helps people of all ages participate, grow and truly shine. 

"The SHiNE Bursary has made a huge difference for my children. It has helped them grow in confidence, perform at Westlands and other venues, and take part alongside other children in a supportive environment where their SEN needs are understood. We are very grateful for the support with the cost." Recipient  

For more information: westlandsyeovil.co.uk/discover-more/shine-bursary-fund/ 

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 Take Part page which will link you to all our projects and upcoming opportunities.