Encouraging Participation in Creative Activities in Selsey
We are an arts development project organisation charity. We aim to promote participation in artistic endeavours within the community. If you want to sing, dance, paint, act, sculpt or enjoy watching performance then Arts Dream Selsey has so much to offer you
About Our Organisation
2012
Year of Establishment
70+
Events
50+
Volunteers
30000+
Audience
What We Do
Our small group of volunteers run a variety of activities, from choirs and art classes to plays. As well as developing large family events and arranging performances from visiting companies.
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Because the organisation is run by volunteers and as a charitable organisation we are able to maintain lower costs to participate in creative activities. This is especially important in encouraging people to try new things.
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We believe that everyone, regardless of circumstances should have access to the power of creativity.
Our Mission
To improve the quality of life of local people by providing access to cost effective creative endeavours.
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To enhance the profile of arts in Selsey.
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To develop Arts opportunities for people with least engagement.
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Raise the standard of art being produced.
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To promote enhanced health and well-being, social cohesion and cultural renewal.
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To design activities that encourage participation and offer excellent value for money.
Our Story
Arts Dream Selsey was founded in 2012 as a charitable organisation to promote, maintain, improve and advance education and appreciation of the arts in all its forms among the people of Selsey.
We aim to provide a range of arts participatory projects, including workshops, demonstrations, projects, productions, exhibitions and training events that involve local Selsey residents, community and professional artists in a shared arts experience.
In 2015 Arts Dream Selsey produced a play written by local playwright Gillian Plowman at The Pavilion in Selsey. “Tonight in the Pavilion – Charlie Chaplin!” The production was so successful that Martin Humphries, founder of the Cinema Museum and Tobias Steed Arts & Media Producer invited Arts Dream Selsey to bring their production to London’s Cinema Museum for a week of performances.
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Since then Arts Dream Selsey has positioned itself at the heart of the community both figuratively and literally, creating numerous projects in response to local events such as Selsey 57 dedicated to the town’s 57 men and women who lost their lives in WW1. Or “Out of the Ashes” a project that aimed to recreate memories when fire destroyed 50 years of archives in the local academy.
Arts Dream Selsey and its small group of volunteers continues to provide immersive artistic opportunities, running two choirs who regularly perform at local venues. Three weekly art classes, who exhibit their works at the very popular Selsey Summer Art Exhibition. Art workshops from professional artists throughout the year. Several live play performances attracting an enthusiastic and loyal audience.
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Arts Dream Selsey also continues to create and work on special projects, with 2024 seeing the launch of The Winding Willow, a jointly managed willow sculpture project. In line with Arts Dream Selsey’s objectives, participation is free and local people will have the opportunity to learn willow sculpture while also being part of a project to create a sculpture park in Selsey’s very own Hidden Garden.
Our People
These are the members of our committee...
Director
The ‘Dream’ organisations were set up in 2010 as a way of focusing activities on youth sports and the arts. In 2012 I was asked to coordinate arts activity, developing a community arts organisation and launching it throughout Selsey.
Arts Dream was a fantastic opportunity to develop a dream agenda with like minded people to enthuse and stimulate involvement and interest in the arts.
Community Musician
I moved to Selsey in 2015, having just completed a two year course at Goldsmith’s University in Community Music as a mature student wanting to branch out from my existing career in early years music.
I discovered Arts Dream Selsey as I was looking to become involved in creating and running some community music activities, and being new to the area, was thrilled to be asked to join the team.
ADS has been the catalyst to so many interesting and diverse community projects and I am delighted to be able to reach out to anyone who has an interest in taking part in meaningful music-making, and I am now running three different choirs in and around the community of Selsey.
Committee Member
I have a passion for theatre both acting and watching and love to be involved in local events. Arts Dream Selsey allows me to indulge both of my interests. I love getting to know people through the projects and events we run and I've had a chance to act too. Perfect!.
Committee Member
From an early age, I have been interested in theatre, performing and watching. I was a member of various drama groups in Surrey and Sussex before training at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. Artsdream has given me the opportunity to continue performing and also support the many other events it offers to the Selsey community.
Playwright
Arts Dream Selsey has given me, as a playwright, the most amazing opportunities to bring live theatre to our town, forming our own production company and working with local and professional actors and stage crews. I enjoy actively participating in all of Arts Dream’s many and eclectic events and projects, particularly singing in the choirs and line-dancing down the high street! Always inspired by Selsey and its folk!
Committee Member
I grew up in North London where I was lucky enough to be both involved in and set up numerous community arts events. Since moving to Selsey in 1997 I have been one of the founders of the Selsey Festival, which ran successfully for many years, and Cloud Nine Musical Theatre Group which still delights audiences over 20 years on. It is a total pleasure to be part of Arts Dream Selsey to help support and and provide such a varied programme of events to benefit our wonderful seaside community.
Committee Member
As one who loves art, music and theatre,
I enjoy working with the ADS team in helping to plan and stage such events.
Committee Member
I had always had an interest in painting but never painted until I retired. When I moved to Selsey in December 2016, Arts Dream offered the opportunity to join an art group, attend a weekly art class, attend workshops and meet some great people, many of whom have become good friends.
Our Sponsors
We would like to sincerely thank all of our sponsors
