Bournemouth Diaries

Concern about the lack of young audiences’ general interest in the Arts

A general concern is expressed regarding the lesser number of young audiences appearing in the Arts events organised by the city of Bournemouth.

The ratio between the young and senior audiences seems to be disproportional amongst those who attend the theatre performances, classical concerts or art exhibitions.

On their recent concert held at the BIC, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra’s repertoire consisted of attractive, popular Russian classics. However, “The number of the young people counted less than a dozen tonight” said Mrs Heath, the Box Office assistant.

Hugh Knorris, Honorary Secretary of Bournemouth Little Theatre Club which today holds up to 120 mostly senior members, spoke about this issue: “It is difficult now days to find young people, as they’ve got other things to do. And if you do find them, they tend to go off on a job, they get married.” BLTC was founded in 1919 and is the oldest amateur drama club in the Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch area.

“Young audiences – yes, very interesting subject and there’s a huge conversation there” briefly commented Bournemouth Council's Arts Development Officer Adam Gent when asked about how much are the younger audiences involved in, or visit the Arts events, and whether there is a plan to get them more interested. Being an arts team working throughout Bournemouth, the Art Development has the goal to support creativity, learning and enjoyment of the arts by working through a strategic approach, in hope to attract audiences of various ages.

However, their means are limited. “Financial support is offered to us through the Bournemouth Arts Grant, a scheme that supports small Bournemouth based arts projects organised by artists, individuals and groups in common. With many of our colleagues we never have enough money to do all the things we want to do” says Gent.

Rachel Maddix, founder of a film production, media and performing arts organization Fearless Expressive Arts, comforts us by promising: “Our aim is to run both commercial weekend and evening classes for those wishing to build confidence and creative skills and a charity providing funded media projects especially for young people who would benefit from them”.