Thousand connect with creative arts at Beacon Arts Centre

The Beacon Arts Centre has been delivering a pioneering community engagement programme, supported by funding from the Foyle Foundation.

The charity, set up by bookseller Christina Foyle in her will, awarded £56,000 to the venue over the last two years, enabling local people to experience the joy and magic of the arts.

With the money funding a full-time community engagement officer, the programme has so far reached 2,238 people - but it is hoped that up to 3,000 will benefit in total.

(Image: Christopher Bowen)

The community engagement programme includes drama classes for children and young people, music classes for neurodivergent children or those with a disability, and a dance class for people living with Parkinson’s.

The Beacon has also utilised the funding to host a community arts festival, Creative Minds, which returned in May for a second year.

Karen Townsend, co-director at the Beacon, said: “The Inverclyde region is one of the highest ranked places in the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation, and 23 per cent of children in Greenock live in poverty.

“However, the appetite for the arts is strong, and we are proud that our work is helping to transform the area, attracting visitors with our wide-ranging programme and supporting an economic and cultural renaissance.

(Image: Christopher Bowen)

“We are very grateful to the Foyle Foundation for this funding, which will ensure that even more people can benefit from the arts and ensure the economic impact of our work will benefit the community.

“Our doors are open to all and we are out there in the community too, proving how access to the arts can change lives and bring lasting change to places that have struggled with the legacy of post-industrialisation.

“The people of Inverclyde should be able to access the excellent work that can be seen on our stages, but also given the chance to participate in making and being part of the production of art.”