About Somerset Arts Business Cultural Alliance

Somerset Arts Business & Cultural Alliance (SABCA) is a not-for-profit Community Interest Company No.12197272 established in 2014.

An innovate and creative organisation that understands that arts and culture can bring many benefits. From economic ones to place making ones. From community cohesion to supporting the young and old. From boosting the creative industries beyond county boundaries to health and well-being. Its benefits extend out further into areas of national, local and personal life than any other activity we do in society.

Within Somerset Arts Business & Cultural Alliance, individual strands represent the different disciplines of Dance, Film, Literature, Theatre, Music, Visual Arts, Community, Arts & Crafts, History & Heritage, Festivals, Traditional Arts and many more.

Our Aims

Our key aim is to make Somerset a vibrant place of arts and culture. To invite local residents, the nation and its people to experience this arts and culture which in return uplifts economic growth and builds stronger communities. To achieve this, we aim to support organisations, groups and communities who deliver arts and culture.

We aim to support the case for arts and culture investment from both private and public perspectives. We will be the voice of the people and regularly canvas the local population to help investment decisions and deliver a democratic evidence base to councils and public bodies.

Our Mission

To develop strong partnership links with Somerset County Council and other public bodies to help deliver their aims and work together to support arts and culture in Somerset. To invest in the arts and culture sector and develop a business and social enterprise focused industry that delivers diverse cultural activity, bringing communities and consumers together for great cultural experiences.

To develop the economic case and provide a range of services that enhance footfall and community cohesion while driving growth and prosperity for all who live in Somerset.

What we do

  • We support and develop the arts and culture sector and organisations so they can become more enterprising and how that can bring economic success and longevity. We achieve this through skills development, advice, mentoring, workshops, self-help groups and networks.
  • We deliver arts and culture programmes using local assets for public consumption, which in turn assists in our financial sustainability while ensuring a comprehensive cultural programme throughout the county and its town and villages. Supporting tourism and economic growth.
  • We support a strong digital strategy for the sector and bring skills to those who need it. Also, using digital to help create new products and services.
  • We develop business focused arts and culture strategies that use local assets to create social interaction in public spaces and an engagement focused development plan and set services to maximise local investments.
  • Not only do we consider the subsidised cultural sector but also the commercial, amateur and participatory which, after all, are where most people find their cultural engagement.
  • We are interested not just in publicly-funded concert halls, art galleries, theatres and museums, important as these are; but also, film, music and literature; young people getting together in a band, amateur choirs, local art clubs and reading groups, and people crafting at home or in local clubs; as well as those engaging in prisons, hospitals and care homes.

how can we help you?

Contact us at Somerset Arts Business Cultural Alliance to submit a business inquiry.

I have been involved in many of SABCA’s events and cannot think of a better organisation to support the arts and culture sector in Somerset. It goes from strength to strength. The vast knowledge and business support that I have seen practiced in both digital and physical environments are second to none. It is one of the most essential sector support groups in Somerset as we have a lot of arts, culture and creativity here and I support all their work now and in the future.

John Holden
Owner, CABiz

Need help with your arts and culture project or programme?

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