The Anvil: Musician appointed as new engagement manager

It was another busy year for Anvil Arts’ community engagement programme whose projects connect with communities, improve access to culture for all, provide creative opportunities and increase skills.

The Musication Station project ran in many locations in and around Basingstoke including Festival Place, Playfest! in Aldershot and Whitchurch Children’s Festival, with almost 1,500 attendees across the year.

Now, the arts organisation has welcomed a new community engagement manager, Ed Adams, to continue on its success. 

Ed said: “I am excited to join the team at Anvil Arts and can’t wait to get out and about in Basingstoke, taking our projects to schools, community centres, and care homes.

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"As a freelance musician, I have been a part of Musication Station over the last couple of years, and I am particularly keen to continue this fantastic project and give young people an opportunity that they would not otherwise get to try out musical instruments”.

During the summer holidays, Queen Mary's College esports suite hosted Anvil Arts’ Music in Motion project which introduced teenagers with autism to video games and sound design.

Over the course of six weeks, the group of 12 participants produced an exciting and original car game with orchestrated musical score.

The team also appeared at six festivals during the year, and gave careers tours of The Anvil to schools, highlighting the many roles which make up a successful arts organisation.

During November, Anvil Arts also worked with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra to offer workshops to colleges with Seeta Patel Dance, to coincide with their performance at The Anvil, and arranged for African Activities to tour eight primary schools within the borough bringing a taste of African music and culture to Basingstoke.

For more information about the programme of community and education projects, contact Ed at community@anvilarts.org.uk.