Highlights Rural Touring Scheme works in partnership with over 50 voluntary promoting groups to bring high-quality professional theatre, music, dance and craft events to village halls, schools and community centres.

We organise over 80 events a year for villages in the North Pennines and surrounding areas, ensuring that people living in rural areas have access to exciting and entertaining professional events without having to travel long distances.

The North Pennines are a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty which covers parts of Durham, Cumbria and Northumberland. The scheme has recently expanded to include South Lakeland.

We also run a programme of participatory arts activities which anyone can join in. Over the last two years it has focused on dance for young people in rural areas and has included residencies, taster days, workshops and joint performances with young people working alongside professional companies.

Highlights is a member of the National Rural Touring Forum, the umbrella organisation which represents the interests of Rural Touring Schemes throughout the country.

Support for events comes from an impressive list of funders: