THE CREATIVE PROGRAMME

Beach of Dreams invites you to embark on a transformative journey along the UK’s coastline, where creativity, community, and the environment converge. Our programme unites a diverse network of organisations, artists, and communities in a shared mission to explore and respond to the pressing climate challenges facing the UK’s coastal regions.

Join us as we walk, talk, create, and pledge for the future of our coasts, culminating in a national celebration that will showcase the incredible artworks and stories generated along the way.

Together, we can turn our dreams into action.

 

COLLABORATING WITH COMMUNITIES TO CREATE NEW COMMISSIONS

We are also proud to be working with our commissioned artists and regional partners, whose works will emerge from deep engagement with local communities, translating coastal climate concerns into powerful artworks. These collaborations are at the heart of our programme, bringing together local voices and artistic vision to create lasting impact.

The Beach of Dreams Silks by Kinetika

REGION: NATIONWIDE

TOURING 1 MAY – 1 JUNE 2025

An installation of hundreds of pennants, each telling a personal story of our relationship to coast and sea. Together, these form a tapestry of hope and inspiration for our shared future and alongside these everyone can offer their own personal pledge to support the future of our coastal environment.

TEXTILE COMMISSION WITH T100 AND ESTUARY FESTIVAL

REGION: Thurrock and the Thames Estuary

3 – 4 MAY 2025

T100 is an annual walking, talking and making festival that encourages multiple stories to surface in Thurrock. Estuary Festival shines a spotlight on the Thames Estuary region through high-quality contemporary arts programmes that celebrate the stories, places and people of the Thames Estuary.

SOUND COMMISSION WITH TAPE AND BAY OF COLWYN TOWN COUNCIL

REGION: The Bay of Colwyn, Wales

10 MAY 2025

TAPE – based in Old Colwyn, North Wales – is an arts and media charity created and built upon the Social Model of Inclusion. The Bay of Colwyn Town Council represents a small area of the county, covering Rhos-on-Sea, Colwyn Bay, Upper Colwyn Bay and Old Colwyn. The Bay of Colwyn Town Council is about to declare a climate and nature emergency.

PHOTOGRAPHY & STORYTELLING COMMISSION WITH STRONGER SHORES

REGION: SOUTH TYNESIDE

11 MAY 2025

Through Stronger Shores, the North East is trailblazing a path for the UK to be a world-leader in tackling the climate crisis.  Stronger Shores is turning to the hidden habitats below the waves – seagrass meadows, kelp forests and oyster reefs – for a solution.

SONG COMMISSION WITH BEAT CARNIVAL

REGION: BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND

17 MAY 2025

Beat Carnival is a full-time, producing, Carnival Arts organisation, established in 1993 that creates carnival arts, organise and produce performances, train and develop artists and encourage community participation and ambition.

SCULPTURAL COMMISSION WITH ART MOVES FIFE & FIFE COUNTRYSIDE & COASTAL TRUST

REGION: FIFE, SCOTLAND

14 – 24 MAY 2025

ArtMovesFife crete artist-led journeys through Fife to connect people culture, place and planet. The Fife Coast and Countryside Trust is a local independent charity dedicated to giving everyone the opportunity to experience Fife’s great outdoors.

OUTDOOR ARTS COMMISSION WITH OUT THERE ARTS

REGION: GREAT YARMOUTH

31 MAY 2025

Out There Arts, based at the Drill House in Great Yarmouth, in one of the most deprived areas in the UK,  they host a year-round programme of residencies, a youth circus school, community classes, events and  festivals, which engages approximately 110,000 individuals including 4000 school children each year.

 

CONTEMPORARY PILGRIMAGE COMMISSION WITH MSL

REGION: HASTINGS

1 JUNE 2025

MSL celebrates individual creativity, community and place. It creates performances, exhibitions and installations that engage and inspire people, and transform communities.

REIMAGINING EAST COAST NARRATIVES WITH HISTORIC ENGLAND, ESSEX BOOK FESTIVAL AND OUT THERE ARTS

REGION: Great Yarmouth, Harwich and Orfordness

24 – 31 MAY 2025

Re-imagining East Coast Narratives is a story-gathering project which collaborates with local communities located in three priority places along the East Coast – Great Yarmouth, Harwich and Orford Ness, in a heritage, creative and walks-based exploration of their shared and different coastal heritage. 

FINALE EVENT – UBRAN FLOW AND SONNET COMMISSION WITH ACTIVE DORSET

REGION: WEYMOUTH, DORSET

20 – 21 SEPT 2025

 For over 30 years, Activate, have been promoting, supporting and producing some of the most exciting events in the UK bringing performing arts to as many people as possible and giving creatives the support they need to make outstanding work.

PRESENTED BY KINETIKA

Kinetika unites communities through exceptional silk-based designs and public spectacles that inspire social action and enrich local environments. Guided by a vision to pioneer community-driven art and design, we aspire to ignite enduring positive change, cultivate cultural diversity, and empower resilient, sustainable communities worldwide. Our 27 years of experience champions an adaptable and accessible approach to co-creating designs in silk. Our methods engage and empower diverse communities, enhance social cohesion and foster a sense of pride and belonging.

Kinetika with The Thank You Dance at The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Pageant, June 2022 (c) Matt Crossick/PA Wire