In the beginning
The first ten years
1995-96
Applause started life when Tunbridge Wells Borough Council and a wider West Kent Arts Development Consortia trialled a pilot for rural touring.
1998
Following a temporary lapse Applause Rural Touring is reborn, with a dedicated project manager, who starts to build a programme of professional rural arts across the area.
2000
Applause joins the newly emerging National Rural Touring Forum as a touring provider for West Kent
2002
As the network grows, Applause works with its primary partners to create a more sustainable model. Applause becomes an independent company limited by guarantee to help support its development across West Kent.
2004
Applause launches its first website!
2006
Applause develops partnerships with East and North Kent local authorities to offer shows across the county of Kent.
2007
Applause expands into the East Sussex area working with Rother and Shepway and later on across East Sussex.
2010
Applause launches its Applause Outdoors work alongside PANek (Performing Arts Network East Kent) to develop a new outdoor offer.
Expanding our work
2011 and onwards
2012
2012 Olympics activity boosts Applause’s Outdoor programme to 71 fetes, fairs and festivals.
2013
A new relationship with West Sussex County Council and Creatives Across Sussex saw Applause expand into another county.
2014
Applause works with Ideas Test to increase new promoters in Medway and Swale.
2016
Applause becomes a Charitable Incorporated Organisation. Inn Crowd is launched to work with Pubs.
2018
Applause secures Arts Council National Portfolio Status.
2019
Inn Crowd Pubs + is launched, including touring partners from 6 Rural Touring Schemes.
Applause Outdoors partners with the Roundhouse and Turner Contemporary for Turner Prize Year.
2020
12 performances took place in 2020 before the COVID 19 pandemic forced the country into Lockdown. Live performances were cancelled, but Applause supported What’s Coming Out Of the Box to produce and record The Quest – three audio shows for families. Sara Clifford’s Cherry Soup was made into a radio drama and aired on BBC Sussex. Over the summer season, between lockdowns, 12 outdoor shows and 4 Inn Crowd performances took place.
Inn Crowd Pubs + commissions 10 Lockdown Residencies teaming communities and artists together to create new bespoke work.
2021
Inn Crowd Pubs + partnered with Pub is The Hub to develop Winter Warmers, a project to celebrate pubs, publicans and their communities in Lockdown.
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