Dorchester Arts

Dorchester Arts’ mission is to place the arts at the heart of Dorset’s county town. We bring the best of the arts to Dorchester, give our community creative opportunities, and nurture local talent, because we believe that where the arts thrive people and places do too.
Founded 40 years ago, Dorchester Arts (DA) is the major provider of performance and participation events in Dorset’s County town and a key contributor to the county’s rich cultural landscape. Our ticketed audiences number more than 12000 annually, and we engage with more than 3500 in regular free, or accessibly priced, arts participation classes and events; plus, many more of all ages and backgrounds through our community projects.
Over the last few years our work in health and wellbeing has expanded rapidly and now forms a key part of our work. Our activities and projects specifically target chronic conditions including Parkinson’s, MS, and dementia, mothers suffering from post-natal depression, mental illness, and isolation.