Arts group aims to broaden appeal
AN ARTS group in Cumnock is looking forward to the future after going through a rebranding to showcase more of what’s on offer.
While they’re still known as CAMPS for short, the group formerly known as the Cumnock Area Music Production Society is now Cumnock Arts Makes People Smile - a move the group hopes will tell people more about what the group has to offer.
Its creative arts coordinator, Dale Parker, pictured right, says he wanted the rebrand to show off that the group offers more than just working towards a pantomime performance every year.
And while working towards the pantomime is still very much a part of the CAMPS agenda, Dale wants there to be a new focus on all the other great things happening under the group’s umbrella, including its youth musical theatre junior and senior groups, and EduCAMPS, which offers one-to-one instrumental tuition.
The group’s centre has also undergone a rebrand, from the Barrhill Centre to Cumnock’s Creative Arts Hub, with many community groups using the hub as their own base.
Dale is now keen to spread the positive message about what’s on offer within the town.
He said: “We get well over 500 people through here in a typical day and we’re just looking to make sure as many people as possible know about what we do.
“Our vision is to have these groups working interchangeably and coming along to shows and things like that. It gives it all more of a community feel.
“We’ve rebranded to show that we’re more than just a theatre group that works towards a show every year.
“Our new name is about building relationships and having more activities involved with more people.”
Dale added: “The building was previously known as the Barrhill Centre, but it’s now Cumnock’s Creative Arts Hub.
“It’s about changing the perception of the building and showing people that there are a whole range of activities available for people of all ages and abilities.
“The plan is to have an actual centre as well as having this hub in the future.
“We’ve got a range of lettable spaces and equipment available.
“It is accessible, and it is all about the community, so we need to make sure people know about it all.”
There’s plenty happening at CAMPS over the next few days and weeks, including the climax of CAMPS Choral, a free series of workshops that’s been held in the town in recent weeks and will conclude with a community sharing of music - plus tea, coffee, scones and cakes - at the Dumfries Arms in Glaisnock Street on Thursday, March 28 from 7.30pm.
Tickets have also gone on sale this week for the CAMPS spring show - Sunshine On Leith, being performed at Cumnock Town Hall from April 23-26.
More information about what’s on can be found on the CAMPS What’s On Facebook page.