BUDDING artists and entertainers across the community are being invited to showcase their talent at the Bournemouth Emerging Arts Fringe (BEAF) festival next spring.

Following a successful bid to Arts Council England and Arts University Bournemouth, organisers of the town’s largest independent arts and cultural festival confirmed BEAF is back for 2018.

Last year’s event featured more than 500 people hosting 150 events in 55 locations across the borough. With the new funding, BEAF can now include a programme of new commissions and professional support to help grow the local creative community.

Professor Stuart Bartholomew CBE, principal and vice-chancellor Arts University Bournemouth said: “The BEAF festival is a superb opportunity for Bournemouth’s thriving arts scene to celebrate its own exceptional creative talent and enrich the cultural experience for everyone in the town.

“As the top specialist university of the arts in the UK , and with a first class reputation for graduate employment, the festival gives our community of makers a platform to present their work to make the important link with audiences, employers and industry professionals.”

A programme of creative ‘meet-up’ events are planned over the autumn and winter, the first taking place this Saturday at 7.30pm at the Factory Studios, Boscombe for anyone who would like to get involved and showcase an event at the 2018 festival. The event is free and tickets are available from bit.ly/2xmj0Bx

Ashley Peevor, a local artist who took part at last year’s event said: “BEAF really raised the bar on showcasing work from local artists and performers, proving Bournemouth is a hot bed for lots of emerging creative talent.

“As a recent graduate from Arts University Bournemouth, it gave me the support to launch my new business with my first project, The Grass Man. “

After the performance at the BEAF festival I was invited to take part in festivals across the country.”

For more details, visit website, b-e-a-f.co.uk