Ellesmere Port Arts Trail

We successfully delivered an outdoor-arts summer programme in Whitby Park,Ellesmere Port. The outdoor-arts programme. attended by approx 5000 people, consisted of;

- ‘Porto’s Peculiar Playground’ - a self-directed, interactive, art-adventure trail for children and families designed by designer Sascha Gilmore, with music by Patrick Dineen. 

-‘Peculiar Streets’ - a schools’ project across 5 primary schools whichcontributed to public art work within Whitby Park. 

-A professional, high quality visiting programme of circus, dance, street theatre and music performances by companies new to Ellesmere Port.

- Actors in-role /site specific performances in some of the park spaces

- Sensory arts experiences for SEND children and their families, offering respite

- Inside-Out - artist development event; both digital and ITR which encouragedartists from a range of backgrounds to explore child-centred approaches tooutdoor arts 

- A volunteer programme supported by a volunteer coordinator 

We reached 4300 local audiences. An increase of 1300 from previous year.

The largest majority were family groups with an adult/s bringing primary agedchildren.

Nearly 25% of our visitors reported having someone with special educational needs or disabilities in their party.

Almost 50% were new to the arts.

45% of visitors from our priority postcode of CH65/66 which contains a numberof highly disadvantaged wards.

.90% of respondents felt that they had been experienced creativity, being'surprised', 'curious' and 'inspired'.

The visitor survey also provided ample evidence that the trail experience contributed to improved well-being.

Many visitor comments provided evidence that it had instilled a pride of place.

We contributed to the growing need for and momentum of a quality outdoor arts movement. This included 5 national touring companies for the amphitheatre programme, which ‘re-activated’ this underused space.

We Supporting large numbers of freelance artists in paid roles, as volunteers andas participants, including for the artist development day which included a paid bursary.

We employed 17 creatives and tech roles, which included 5 early caree rprofessionals from under represented communities roles

80% of creatives who participated in the development day met or exceeded expectations.