FORT by Dorsetborn at Forest Arts Centre

In autumn 2024, the team at Forest Arts Centre received an offer from emerging theatre group Dorsetborn to stage their show FORT at the venue. After successfully touring the show in Dorset and London, the company was eager to bring FORT to audiences in the New Forest.

Recognising FORT’s themes and story as relevant to young audiences, Culture Connects saw an opportunity to engage local young people (aged 14–25) by offering them a meaningful creative experience, aiming to inspire greater participation in the arts. Hosting FORT at Forest Arts Centre provided a chance to strengthen connections with local schools and explore ways of enhancing the venue’s future programmes for young audiences. To support this initiative and promote accessibility, Forest Arts Centre provided free tickets to local young people aged 14–25 and collaborated with schools to offer the show to their students.

The show featured a Q&A session, co-hosted by a local youth arts advocate and a member of BCP Council’s Youth Parliament, who moderated the discussion and shared insights into the young audience’s reactions to the performance and venue. This piece of programming was the first step in exploring and igniting a youth-led programme at Forest Arts Centre. Engaging with the young attendees boosted the confidence of the venue team, inspiring new ideas about next steps and potential collaborators. Empowering young people to take the lead in programming emerged as a key priority.

Feedback from young people after the performance and Q&A has helped shape the venue’s approach to youth programming. One attendee shared,