Portland & Weymouth Towns of Culture has awarded over £25,000 in Reveal commissions to artists and community groups, supporting bold cultural projects set to take place this autumn and winter.
The commissions are part of Reveal, a year-long programme designed to unearth and celebrate the creativity that thrives in the towns. Funded by Arts Council England through National Lottery Project Grants, and supported by Portland and Weymouth Town Councils, the scheme offered commissions of up to £10,000. The aim is to connect communities, engage new audiences, and highlight local identity through inclusive, accessible, and environmentally responsible projects. As we move into the final quarter of 2025, the teams behind Portland & Weymouth Towns of Culture are going big with its autumn/winter programme of events, exhibitions, projects and activities.
The Towns of Culture board are excited to announce the following upcoming projects that have been awarded funding:
- ‘Portland Advent(ure)’ by Destination Opera & Ed Viney with Voices Unbound – £10,000 A living advent calendar of 12 pop-up performances of theatre and opera in surprising locations across Portland this December – from cafés to sailing centres and pubs to cliff tops.
- ‘YULE BE MERRY’ by Brave Bold Drama with Dorset Abilities Group and Dorset Family Information Service – £8,300. Street theatre and a family-friendly festive show this December at Saint Nic’s, Weymouth, blending improvised comedy with pay-what-you-can performances.
- ‘The Other Life I Lead’ by Diverse City and Coastland College – £1,200 contribution. A music residency (8th – 10th October) amplifying the voices of young queer and disabled people.
- ‘Bankfest’ by Bank of Dreams & Nightmares with Dorset schools – £1,000 contribution. A youth writing festival at Weymouth Pavilion (13th – 15th October) exploring literature, identity, and wellbeing.
- ‘Six Go to the Seaside’ by Saint Nics Gallery – £1,000. A photography exhibition on Weymouth’s identity (7th – 10th November).
- ‘Under the Stars’ by the Friends of Rodwell – £1,000. A community stargazing night at Sandsfoot Gardens (29th November), produced by Claudia Webb.
- ‘The Final Journey’ by Antje Rook with Weymouth Grief Café – £1,000. An exhibition and community project (November – December) exploring death, grief, and remembrance, including the installation of a “Wind Phone” on Portland.
- ‘Weymouth Tudors at Christmas’ by Weymouth Area Development Trust – £2,000. A Tudor-style festive celebration in December at Tudor House Museum, with re-enactments, crafts, and music.
Download full press release below
From the start, Towns of Culture has been about uncovering hidden stories and giving space to new voices. These final Reveal commissions bring that vision into sharp focus. They celebrate heritage, identity and community in fresh and inventive ways, and they set the wheels in motion for a lasting legacy. As the year draws to a close, we’re excited to see how these projects create memories, forge new connections, and leave a cultural imprint that will carry forward beyond 2025.
Rocca Holly-Nambi, Director of b-side
