Stamford Arts Centre, South Kesteven District Council and Invest SK hold an Arts Around Town family event
A popular day of family fun featured a flash mob, circus skills and a moving plant pot.
Stamford’s ‘Arts Around Town’ circus-themed event aimed to provide a day of discovery to all types of families.
The one day family event, which took place last Friday, was organised by staff at Stamford Arts Centre, South Kesteven District Council and Invest SK.
It also received funding from Arts Council England meaning many of the activities were provided to families at a free or discounted price.
Jo Dobbs, arts project officer, said: “Children are on half term so all the parents are under pressure financially and are probably running out of money.”
Stamford Arts Centre was home to singing, wall art, dance lessons and taster sessions with Wildcats Theatre School.
It also featured a ‘Science Of Circus Show’ where children could explore the science ‘behind the thrills and spills of the circus’.
Stamford Library hosted some popular activities including poetry writing workshops and face painting, which brought a record amount of people into the building.
Lea Rickard, manager of Stamford Library, said: “We recorded over 400 adults and 600 children engaging with activities and our people counter showed that over 1600 people came in over the day - this is a record for the library.”
“Some of the people have never been in the library before,” she added.
Crowds of shoppers also enjoyed watching the remote controlled plant pot and wheelie bins which hurtled about the High Street spraying onlookers with water.
A circus of fun workshop at St George’s Church Place gave all ages the opportunity to walk on stilts, balance on a globe and juggle.
The day was designed to remove barriers to arts participation, develop audiences for family shows and activities in South Kesteven and to cement Stamford Arts Centre as a hub for cultural activity.
Simon Hollingworth, creative producer, said: “We go to places across town; some people seek us out whereas some stumble across us.
“It’s really worthwhile reaching people we otherwise wouldn’t reach.”
