Villages in Action (VIA) is a Devon-based rural touring scheme. They help to bring top quality professional performances and workshops at affordable prices to communities through a network of local promoters.
Created in 1992, the scheme now covers five of the seven district council areas of Devon, including the South Hams, and has 65 active communities, reaching about 8,000 people annually as audience members or workshop participants.
If you live in a rural community in the South Hams, they can help you put on professional events in your village hall or local venue.
Click here for a copy of the current Villages in Action programme
How VIA Works
Every Spring VIA publishes a "Menu" of professional performances that can be booked by rural communities at subsidised prices. Each event is put on in partnership between local people (the "promoter") and VIA. So, how does it work?
Villages in Action (VIA) is responsible for:
- Sending out a programme or "Menu" of arts events, with a booking form. This usually happens in April each year
- Liaising with the village promoter to agree dates and discuss technical requirements for the performances they have chosen
- Sending contracts to artists, providing them with details of the venue and contact names
- Providing, if required, publicity material prior to the event including tickets and up to 50 A4 posters and 200 A5 leaflets
- Circulating a press-release to local newspapers and radio
- Providing advice on marketing and technical matters when requested
- Paying the fee to the performers
The Village Promoter is responsible for:
- Choosing and booking the events through VIA
- Completing and returning the Promoter Agreement forms as soon as possible, thus forming a contract with VIA for the event
- Organising the hire and payment for the venue
- Ensuring that the venue is suitably equipped and properly licensed for your event
- Agreeing ticket prices with VIA
- Distributing publicity material and advertising the event locally (Parish Mags etc)
- Organising the sale of tickets
- Running the event on the day; arranging access for performers to set up, organising volunteers for front of house etc.; organising refreshments for audience and performers
- Hosting visiting artists - overnight hospitality is often required for performers on tour
- Paying the agreed basic fee plus 60% of the box-office takings over that sum
- Filling in the Event Report form within 7 days of the event
Villages in Action can also support the cost of workshops with professional artists using the same mechanism as described above.
Contact Details
Roger Werner or Jill Greig
Lords Meadow Leisure Centre
Commercial Road
Crediton
Devon EX17 1ER
Tel: 01363 773660
Email: admin@villagesinaction.co.uk
Web: www.villagesinaction.co.uk
