CRTA Highlights: A small organisation, big ambitions, real impact

Bringing World-Class Arts to Communities Across Cheshire

Between 2023 and 2026, Cheshire Rural Touring Arts delivered an ambitious programme combining artistic excellence with accessibility, inclusion and community participation. CRTA connected rural and smaller urban audiences with diverse artists and stories from across the UK and around the world.

The impact has been significant. Audience attendance increased by 84%, ticket sales grew by 56%, volunteer involvement rose by 59%, and box office income more than doubled, increasing by over 140% between Spring 2023 and Autumn 2025. This growth demonstrates both the demand for high-quality cultural experiences in rural communities and the vital role CRTA plays in making the arts accessible on people's doorsteps.

Building Communities Through Arts and Culture

CRTA's success goes far beyond audience numbers. Feedback from volunteer promoters highlights the organisation's role in strengthening local communities, reducing isolation and creating opportunities for people to come together through shared cultural experiences. One promoter summed up the impact simply: "CRTA shows bring us together as a village." Others described CRTA as a trusted source of quality programming that helps community venues remain vibrant, relevant and welcoming places for local people.

The organisation has also become a leader in inclusive rural arts practice, championing neurodivergent artists, accessible performances, family-friendly experiences and culturally diverse programming. Through partnerships with local and national organisations, CRTA continues to create opportunities for artists and audiences alike, ensuring that people across Cheshire can experience inspiring, thought-provoking and entertaining work close to home.

Key Highlights 2023-2026

  • 84% increase in audience attendance between Spring 2023 and Autumn 2025.

  • 56% increase in ticket sales and 140% growth in box office income.

  • Delivered professional arts events across 30+ venues throughout Cheshire.

  • Increased engagement with community volunteers from 60 to 100.  

  • Presented artists and stories representing cultures from West Africa, Tibet, Iran, China, Canada, South Asia and beyond.

  • Offered an ambitious programme of shows with themes of neurodiversity, wellbeing, cultural diversity and international exchange, mythology, climate and environmental awareness, rural storytelling and identity, women’s histories and female-centred storytelling, working class history, underrepresented voices, family and intergenerational engagement, accessibility and inclusion, community participation and belonging.

  • Shared a huge range of artistic genres which included dance and physical theatre, theatre, storytelling, non-verbal theatre, puppetry, swing, rock and roll, folk, blues and boogie-woogie, classical, gypsy jazz, contemporary gig theatre, interactive family comedy, spoken word, Tibetan sacred chants and dance, literary adaption, comedy, family shows, South Asian music, African music, breakdance, a cappella beatboxing, reggae, and much more.

  • Developed neuro-inclusion, accessibility, youth engagement and community wellbeing through the CRTA processes and programme.

  • Supported emerging artists through national programmes including RTDI, Big Imaginations, Northern Consortium and Create Tour Connect.

  • Commissioned the design of brand new CRTA logo, branding, and brochure thanks to Source Creative.