Conference 2026 – Content

Programme

Day 1: Our Sector Connection

Date: 9 June 2025
Venue: Wolverhampton Arts Centre
Time: 1pm registration opens, 2pm – 10pm sessions and showcases

What to expect: Matt Linley sets the scene for the following three days, Victoria Verbi, from The Together Coalition explores social cohesion in a rural context, and a panel discusses “Reflections on the National Rural Touring picture”

  • 1 x Showcase: Arthur & Kerran – Controlled Burn
  • 3 x Ballyhoos: Spiltmilk, Lucy Hayward, TBC
  • a special evening celebration of the RTDI project, starring Sonia Sabri Company and Jamaal O’Driscoll, followed by a silent disco.
  • Catering by Fireaway Grill, one of Digbeth Dining Club’s rising star street food traders. 

Day 2: The National Picture

Date: 10 June 2026
Venue: Wolverhampton Arts Centre
Time: 9:15am – 10:30pm

What to expect: With the launch of the new Arts Council England strategic framework we welcome Laura Dyer, Deputy CEO, Place, Engagement, and Libraries to hear the ACE perception on touring, the new framework and reception to the Hodge Review.  A panel discusses innovations in artist development.  Choose from sessions focusing on libraries, funding and promoter networking.

  • 4 x Showcases: Open Sky – The Home, Joe Garbett – Get Lost, Box of Tricks – The Bull & Bear, The Bone Ensemble – The Islander
  • Rural Touring Awards ceremony and meal in the evening

Day 3: Facing the Future

Date: 11 June 2026
Venue: Wolverhampton Arts Centre
Time: 9:30am – 2.30pm

What to expect: Warm up for Day 3 with laughter yoga, hear about what the next phase of English Devolution might mean for Rural Culture, understand with the University of Warwick the initial findings of their Rural Culture, Wellbeing and Economics research.

  • 1 x Showcase: Storm in the North – Idlib
  • 3 x Ballyhoos: Ishi Khan and Babbling Vagabonds, Little Earthquake
  • Networking opportunities

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Artists

Here is where you can find information about the Artists performing at the 2026 Conference – Connection.

Arthur & Kerran
Controlled Burn

Babbling Vagabonds
Ballyhoo

Box of Tricks
The Bull & Bear

Ishi Khan
Ask Granny

Joe Garbett
Get Lost

Lucy Hayward
Ballyhoo

Open Sky
The Home

Spiltmilk
Bloom

Storm in the North
Idlib

Black Country Touring
Cape Custard

The Bone Ensemble
The Islander

Sonia Sabri Company
NIDA

Little Earthquake
Don’t Leave Me This Way

Jamaal O’Driscoll
Something OUTTA Nothing

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Speakers

This is where you can find information about the Speakers presenting at the 2026 Conference – Connection

Victoria Verbi
Day 1

Head of Campaigns and Communications at The Together Coalition.

Eddie Nixon
Day 1

Artistic Director, The Place

Laura Dyer
Day 2

Deputy Chief Executive Places, Engagement & Libraries (Executive Board Member), Arts Council England

Chris Sudworth
Day 2

CEO of Hackney Empire

Trevor MacFarlane
Day 3

Founding Director and CEO of Culture Commons

Easy Read Schedules

Please note: These are live documents, and will be updated if / when information changes.

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Photo credit: Dee Patel

Rural Touring Awards 2026

The Rural Touring Awards are back for 2026, to recognise innovation, dedication and quality within the rural touring sector. Visit our dedicated Rural Touring Awards page to find out more, nominations and applications are now closed.