Making Art Part Of Everyday Life

We are delighted to share news of a very special brand new partnership project happening in Yeovil.

Yeovil Reimagine is an exciting 2-year programme brought together by generous funding and support from Arts Council England’s National Lottery Place Partnership Fund, Somerset Council and local partners.

Read on for our initial press announcement and news on the artists joining us to bring art to everyday life in Yeovil.

Artist lined up for exciting Yeovil Reimagine projects

July 2026

Yeovil Art Space and Somerset Council welcomed artists to the Glovers Walk site in June as planning stages begin for the new art and cultural programme ‘Yeovil Reimagine’

Commissioned artists will be working with local communities and residents to bring together relevant and meaningful art and culture in Yeovil town centre. The project has the potential to bring in large scale, site-specific art commissions which celebrate Yeovil’s cultural heritage and future identity. Yeovil Reimagine has co-creation at its heart emphasising the value in working together in partnership, sharing ownership and creating new value together.

The artists gathered at Yeovil Art Space, along with the project’s Art Action Group consisting of local residents, for a day of introduction and a tour around the Glovers Walk site where the public art commissions will be developed.

Access has now been reinstated through Glovers Walk linking between Middle Street and the bus station. There is a new seating area and visitors will soon see the grass grow on the site, creating a public green space. 

One member of the group said,

“It was a day of really inspiring conversations, talking about collaboration and connection and possibility. You could tell this was the start of something quite different and exciting in Yeovil”

Among the group Yeovil communities will recognise some familiar faces from previous engagements in Yeovil Art Space projects.

Philip Duckworth and Ben Sadler known as Juneau Projects linked up with YAS earlier this year for creative workshops with the YMCA and Yeovil4Family leading up to the Wassail event at Yeovil Country Park in February. They went on to take part in the Wassail event making shakers and rattles with visitors to make sound as part of the rituals.  

Brendan Barry worked with the arts charity and several local schools in November last year when he created a giant Camera Obscura at Yeovil Art Space and shared dynamic, interactive workshops with the children, with feedback like “photography is amazing” and “this is magic!”

LOW PROFILE are also on board with artists Rachel Dobbs and Hannah Rose whose large scale public artwork in 2025 covered the Glovers Walk hoardings with the letters ‘Anything you can think of, Everything you can imagine’. In the Glovers Walk consultation LOW PROFILE were also commissioned to produce activity sheets which invited visitors to Yeovil Art Space last year to imagine future events, shop fronts and wishlists for the town centre fuelling valuable conversation linking to these new projects.

Lisa Cheung also appears in the group, an international artist who worked with Yeovil Art Space and Yeovil College students on Taste of Yeovil in 2024.  They worked together to create a unique cookbook for Yeovil sharing recipes from local residents and using designs from the students to illustrate.

Early research stages of the project will see the artists engage with local groups and attend Yeovil community events to shape the ideas, making sure Yeovil Reimagine is co-created with people of Yeovil and is developed around the needs in the town. Opportunities for local artists and creatives to be involved will continue as the project develops.

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Major funding announced for a new two-year programme to place arts and culture at the heart of Yeovil.

May 2026

A partnership of Yeovil Art Space, Somerset Council and organisations across Yeovil has successfully raised half a million in funding for ‘Yeovil Reimagine’. The funding achieved includes £200K from the Arts Council England Place Partnership Fund and £200K from Somerset Council, helping to shape a vibrant and positive future for the Somerset market town and its community.

Phil Gibby, Arts Council England’s Area Director for the South West comments,

‘We’re proud to invest in Yeovil Art Space through our Place Partnership Fund, made possible by National Lottery players. This investment is a testament to Zoe Li and her team’s creative ambition and the strength of collaboration between local partners.

“We know culture has the power to revitalise high streets, connect communities and build pride in place, yet historically not everyone has had equal access to these opportunities. By creating more ways for people to participate in creative experiences close to home, programmes like this are helping our investment reach more people across the region, and we look forward to seeing local resident’s benefit.”

Yeovil Reimagine is an ambitious collaborative project that brings inclusive art and cultural offer to Yeovil, starting at the town centre. Through major public realm art commissions by national and international artists, community partnerships and flagship cultural events, Yeovil Reimagine will bring new cultural offers for the community and support new creative enterprises led by young people. The project promises to ‘bring art to everyday life for everyone’ in the coming 2 years and beyond. 

Zoe Li, Executive & Artistic Director of Yeovil Art Space, says,

‘It is amazing to receive funding support from Arts Council England, enabling us to utilise the opportunities and relationships that we have built with the Somerset Council and partners to develop an inclusive arts and cultural offer in Yeovil. We are looking forward to working with artists and the community to create meaningful regeneration together.’

With Somerset Council and Yeovil Town Council as the main partners, the project aligns with the priorities for healthy, active communities, environmental responsibility, and partnership-led growth. 

Councillor Mike Rigby, Somerset Council’s Lead Member for Economic Development, Planning & Assets said, 

‘This is a fantastic project which will help to breathe new life into the town centre of Yeovil, working in tandem with the ongoing regeneration work.

‘It’s particularly satisfying that this will harness the talents of young people in our communities who will help leave a lasting impression on their town.‘

Amanda Card, Chief Executive of the Yeovil Town Council:

‘Yeovil Town Council is delighted that the Place Partnership Bid for Yeovil was successful. The investment into the town to strengthen our cultural offer and further develop partnership working and collaboration supports our ongoing ambition for a more vibrant and thriving town centre.’

Partnership working is vital to the project. The newly formed Yeovil Town Board, which gathers leaders from organisations across Yeovil, will oversee the delivery of Yeovil Reimagine as part of their remit to provide strategic advice on the town centre regeneration plan. 

Mark Bolton, CEO & Principal of Yeovil College:

‘Yeovil College is delighted that this opportunity will provide rich creative experiences to our students. Hugely supportive of the work to develop a vibrant, creative and cultural community in Yeovil and South Somerset.’

David Crew, Managing Director at Somerset Chamber of Commerce:

‘This is very positive for Yeovil’s regeneration. We look forward to engaging businesses as key stakeholders in this exciting project for the town.’ 

Yeovil Art Space will lead the management and delivery of the project. Located in the town centre with the mission ‘Make Yeovil Creative’, they have always anchored their work through partnership and put community at the core. With projects such as Story of Yeovil and OUR TOWN, bringing a sense of pride and wellbeing to the town’s diverse communities. 

Natasha Rand, Engagement Director at YAS and Connect Somerset Champion:

‘This inspiring initiative will spark positively to transform our community through creativity and social connections. Together, we can start to shape Yeovil town centre into a vibrant hub of activity for all, creating a place that people are proud to visit and call home.’

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