After three years and two shows on the rural touring circuit, theatre-maker Russell Lucas shares five lessons from the road. Read 'Five Things I’ve Learned from Rural Touring' here: buff.ly/VNo9FZL 📸 by Steve Ullathorne #RuralTouring #TouringTheatre #CommunityCulture #NRTF

Culturapedia is working with local library services on a new two-year programme of theatre, music, poetry, visual arts and creative activity, supported by £90,000 from Arts Council England Read more: buff.ly/sqXO7aL #RuralTouring #Libraries #CommunityCulture #Culturapedia #ArtsCouncilEngland

📖 National Poetry Day Today we’re celebrating the power of poetry to bring us together, to see the world in new ways and to ignite our imagination. Have you go a favourite poem or a poetry event you want us to know about? Tell us in the comments!

Thinking about touring your work in rural Scotland? A new Rural Touring Scotland guide has been launched to help performers and companies understand how to take their work to rural and island communities across Scotland. Take a look at the guide here: buff.ly/4VVe5jz

🎉 A big happy 25th birthday to our friends Carn to Cove! It’s a fantastic milestone and a celebration of the promoters, artists, partners and communities who have helped make rural touring thrive across Cornwall over the past quarter of a century.

📣 Arts Council England @aceagrams has published the Applicant Guidance for its National Portfolio Investment Programme 2028-33. Read the guidance from Arts Council England: buff.ly/ZspDSyT

✨ Our website has had a refresh! We’ve improved the menu navigation, accessibility, and updated some of our resources - with more changes still to come. Take a look around: nrtf.org.uk #NRTF #RuralTouring

🐈 Happy International Cat Day! A shout-out to the resident cats of village halls, pubs and community spaces - welcoming audiences, supervising rehearsals and claiming the best seat in the house. Have a cat in residence? Share a photo in the replies! #InternationalCatDay #RuralTouring

Last week, NRTF Director Abigail Reeve joined “Touring Reimagined” at the SOLT & UK Theatre Conference. A valuable discussion on building a healthier, more collaborative touring ecology - and the vital role rural touring plays in connecting artists, venues, audiences & communities. #RuralTouring

Rural Moves is here 🎧✨ A six-part podcast exploring the legacy of RTDI, with artists, producers, promoters and partners reflecting on 10 years of dance in rural communities. Find out more here: buff.ly/A6ESvRq #RTDI #RuralMoves #RuralTouring

We’re proud to have been a partner for the Rural Touring Dance Initiative as RTDI celebrates 10 years of bringing brilliant dance into rural and community venues. Read more about the project: buff.ly/8B7jKBT #10YearsOfRTDI #RTDI #RuralTouring

🎟️ Last chance to book for NRTF Conference 2026 Tickets close 1 June. Join us in Wolverhampton (9–11 June) for three days of conversation, showcases, ballyhoos and shared learning with the rural touring community. 🔗 Book your place: buff.ly/QmzUH1b #RuralTouring #NRTFConference

🏆 Rural Touring Awards 2026 Final chance to nominate the people, projects & organisations that make rural touring so special. From artists to volunteers, community champions to organisers - help us celebrate the sector. 🗓 Nominations close tonight at midnight 🔗 buff.ly/qsuspe4

The first member of the Rural Touring Awards panel has been announced. Outdoor Arts' David Doust will join a team of experts who will sift through nominations and help decide on the stars of the show.

Outdoor Arts' David Doust Joins Awards Panel at Conference | National Rural Touring Forum

NRTF is delighted to announce that David Doust is joining the Rural Touring Awards judging panel.

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🏆 Get your nominations in now! 🏆 Visit our website to find out more about each award. buff.ly/utPuxSS [Link in bio too!] To nominate: click through to the award you want, and click on the form link. #RuralTouring #ArtsCommunity #LetsCreate #RuralTouringAwards

👐 Join us for What Next? Rural on 12th May at 12pm Open to members and non members, and this time we will be talking about Rural Touring Foundations. If you are thinking of coming to the NRTF Conference this year, this is the perfect opportunity to get to know the basics. buff.ly/SXpLj8l

We are delighted to announce that Laura Dyer MBE will deliver a keynote speech at next month’s NRTF conference at Wolverhampton Arts Centre. Laura is Deputy CEO, Place, Engagement, and Libraries at Arts Council England. Conference tickets: buff.ly/KauZJQ7

🎟️ Conference bursaries - reminder “Attending the conference fuelled even more desire to perform in rural settings.” - Verona Chard, Verona’s Musical Balloon Band Bursaries support artists, promoters & schemes to attend NRTF Conference 2026. 🗓 Apply by 27 April 🔗 buff.ly/QgGCpwV #RuralTouring

🌍 Happy Earth Day Rural touring is making real progress in developing more sustainable ways of working. At NRTF, we support this through research, conversations and shared learning - including a 2024 case study with Take Art & Julie’s Bicycle. 🔗 Find out more: buff.ly/tRr13oj

🎟️ Conference bursaries - reminder “Attending the conference made me feel more rooted in the rural touring network.” - Peter Stone, Just Some Theatre Bursaries support artists, promoters & schemes to attend NRTF Conference 2026. 🗓 Apply by 27 April 🔗 buff.ly/QgGCpwV #RuralTouring

✨ Looking back at NRTF Conference 2025 A few moments from last year - three days of discussion, performance and shared experience across the rural touring community. We’re looking forward to doing it all again in 2026 (9–11 June)! 📸 Vipul Sangoi 🔗 Details: buff.ly/PKFPtnX #RuralTouring

🎟️ Artist Membership - Price Update From 21 April 2026, NRTF artist membership will increase from £25 to £30 per year. The fee has remained at £25 for over ten years. Join or renew now to sign up at the current rate. 🔗 Find out more: buff.ly/B6Up5yR

📣 Bursaries are available for Schemes, Artists and Promoters to attend NRTF Conference: Connection in Wolverhampton (9–11 June). Find out more here: buff.ly/lVZrgza

📊 Why this research matters Rural touring plays a vital role in communities - yet much of its impact goes unseen. New research by NRTF & the University of Warwick is building a clearer picture of its value. 🔗 Take part: buff.ly/4NcF1nx

💬 How did your journey into rural touring begin? This survey captures real experiences of promoters and volunteers - from first memories to lasting impact. Led by NRTF & the University of Warwick, it’s building a clearer picture of the sector. 🔗 Take part: buff.ly/4NcF1nx #RuralTouring

Planning a rural touring event? Our Tour Pack Essentials bring together practical guidance, templates and key information to support you every step of the way. As an NRTF member, you’ll have access to resources that help you deliver events with confidence. Become a member: buff.ly/B6Up5yR

📊 Rural Touring, Wellbeing & Economic Impact A new survey led by NRTF & the University of Warwick is exploring how rural touring supports communities - from wellbeing and connection to local economies. Share your experience to help tell that story. 🔗 Take part: buff.ly/4NcF1nx #RuralTouring

🎭 World Theatre Day We’re celebrating the role theatre plays in rural communities - reaching village halls and community spaces across the UK. Through rural touring, theatre brings people together and creates shared moments of connection. 📸 likely Story by Bretina Skovbro #WorldTheatreDay

💬 What does rural touring mean to you? This survey centres the real experiences of promoters and volunteers - from rewarding moments to challenges. Led by NRTF & the University of Warwick, it’s building a clearer picture of the difference rural touring makes. 🔗 Take part: buff.ly/4NcF1nx

🎤 Chair on the road! Our Chair Matthew Linley joins events this week: 📍 Exeter (26 Mar) 📍 Plymouth (27 Mar) Sharing insights on producing, commissioning & working in rural touring. Great chance to hear from experienced producers if you're nearby. Beaford Arts Event: buff.ly/rUyagNX