News
“Forty years is a milestone that’s testament to the resilience and adaptability of rural communities” – Four decades of North East Arts Touring
12 November 2025
They’ve celebrated Dracula, launched Scotland’s first community cinema network, worked alongside foodbanks and empowered young voices – welcome to North East Arts Touring.
Several rural touring schemes are celebrating signifiant anniversaries this autumn. NRTF is spotlighting schemes which have gone the distance and continue to provide amazing cultural experiences for communities. We speak to Emyr Bell – creative director at North East Arts Touring.
Tell us about North East Arts Touring
Emyr: We are based in Aberdeenshire delivering high-quality live performances and community cinema to rural and deprived communities across North East Scotland.
We work through a network of volunteer promoters, supporting local venues to host events that are accessible, inclusive, and relevant. In addition to our cinema and live networks, we also develop and deliver creative projects with social change at their core, making sure that creative opportunities are accessible and inclusive for everyone.
What is the impact of your work to rural audiences?
Emyr: NEAT increases access to arts and culture for people who might otherwise be excluded due to geographical, transportation, or financial constraints.
Our activities help reduce social isolation, strengthen community cohesion, and enhance overall well-being.
Audiences consistently rate our impact highly on their well-being, and our volunteer promoters contribute thousands of hours to ensure events are welcoming, enjoyable, and engaging.
We also focus on making performances accessible, including relaxed events and screenings with subtitles or BSL interpretation.
Why is rural touring so important?
Emyr: Rural touring addresses the lack of equal access to cultural activities in rural and deprived places. By bringing performances and screenings directly to local venues, we reduce barriers related to travel, cost, and accessibility.
This approach supports local infrastructure, enables participation for older residents and young families, and helps communities shape their own cultural experiences.
Our model also reduces carbon emissions compared to audiences having to travel to city-based events.
What are the challenges?
Emyr: Key challenges include unstable and competitive funding, high energy costs for rural venues, limited public transport, and competition from streaming services.
We address these issues by working collaboratively with other third-sector organisations, providing training and development opportunities for Volunteer Promoters, and engaging with and listening to our audiences and participants.
This allows us to create events and activities that are rooted in cultural democracy practice.
Any stand out moments for you at NEAT?
Emyr: Every event, every activity, in every community, with every participant is memorable because each one helps strengthen connections, inspire creativity, and deliver real, lasting impact where it matters most.
But if I was going to pick individual events and programmes:
Festival of Darkness: Dracula 2022 was a highlight, bringing communities together to celebrate 125 years of Bram Stoker’s Dracula, inspired by Slains Castle in Aberdeenshire.
Delivering our Positive Action Grant in partnership with Live Life Aberdeenshire (Aberdeenshire Council) has been a positive experience, supporting volunteer-led, grassroots culture and heritage groups to acquire new skills and become more sustainable.
Launching Scotland’s first Community Cinema Network in 2012 marked a significant step in increasing access to film in rural areas.
Working alongside Aberdeenshire Foodbanks to run cinema events has ensured children of all ages and backgrounds can enjoy films locally.
Touring live performances to schools in partnership with Theatre in Schools Scotland has also been incredibly memorable, bringing high-quality arts experiences directly to young people in rural communities.
Empowering young voices through the Young Promoter Scheme has enabled young people to promote events and develop transferable skills for the future.
Are you planning anything special to mark 40 years?
Emyr: To celebrate NEAT’s 40th anniversary, we’re launching our new 10-Year Strategy (2025–2035), outlining our vision for creative, connected, and resilient communities across the North East.
We’ll hold a Volunteer Promoter Day to recognise and thank our fantastic team, whose commitment is central to everything we do.
There will be ticket giveaways, and we’ll invite audiences to share their stories and memories with us, helping to create a collective picture of NEAT’s impact from Brechin to Nairn, and from the mountains to the sea.
We’re also inviting participants to buy NEAT a special Christmas present, whether it’s pledging a month of internet, paying for a theatre show, covering the cost of printing posters, or helping with the maintenance of our cinema equipment.
Every gift, no matter its size, will make a big difference to us and help build a more sustainable future for NEAT during these challenging times. Above all, we’ll continue supporting our volunteer promoters to deliver diverse and accessible events, ensuring that high-quality arts and culture remain available to everyone, wherever they live.
And how does it feel to make it to 40 years?
Emyr: Reaching 40 years is a milestone that reflects the dedication of our volunteers, staff, and partners. It’s a testament to the resilience and adaptability of rural communities, as well as the ongoing relevance of our work.
We’re proud of our track record and committed to building on it, ensuring NEAT continues to deliver quality, accessible arts experiences for everyone.