Always on
This project successfully funded on 31st March 2026, you can still support them with a donation.
Sterts: More on the Moor
Liskeard, Cornwall, United Kingdom
Aim
Back creative futures in South East Cornwall: fund training, access, and community arts for all.
We are Sterts Arts & Environmental Centre.
We are Cornwall's best kept secret.
Sterts Arts & Environmental Centre empowers adults across South East Cornwall to explore creativity, build skills, and connect with their community. Our workshops, training, and performances take place on a 4-acre site at the edge of Bodmin Moor, where nature and the arts collide.
In 2026, we will:
1. Train 4 local people in technical roles, creating pathways into employment.
2. Run training days for local community groups and organisations, to improve access to our spaces.
3. Redevelop our community costume/prop store. This will be a volunteer run resource, supporting ongoing creative activity.
4. Expand Sterts' wider programme of learning and discovery, and creative participation for adults in the community.
This will enable us to create a sustainable model to support local talent, artistic and creative careers, and community activity through improving local people's wellbeing, and connecting with others who share their interests - helping reduce social isolation and improve confidence.
Our 4-acre site offers inspiring ways to connect with nature and our natural environment, and we're committed to deepening that connection through every aspect of our work.
In 2025, solar panels installed on our Barn Theatre, produced 20.35MWh of energy, preventing 9.37 tonnes of CO2 from entering the atmosphere - that is the equivalent of charging 1,124,400 smartphones.
Every £1 helps to bring new skills to South East Cornwall in a sustainable way!
--
OUR STORY
Founded in the 1980s by Ewart and Anne Sturrock, Sterts was created to enable people to "explore their own creativity and learning through doing". Sterts transformed from a pig farm into a thriving arts and environmental centre. Today, our Barn Theatre, Sturrock Studio, and Community Hub provide ongoing opportunities for adults to develop skills, connect with others, and engage in creative projects. Our solar-powered Barn Theatre is a resilient, sustainable resource, ensuring South East Cornwall has long-term access to arts, training, and community spaces.
OUR IMPACT
Built on 40 years of resilience and community impact. Our 2025 stats demonstrate our commitment to South East Cornwall's community, artists and economy.
A highlight of 2025 was Sea Dances Sterts, a choreographic residency for early-career dance artists. In partnership with Dance Centred, the project supported:
- 6 early-career artists developing new work in Cornwall
- 4 local professionals in gaining technical experience
- 1 volunteer and 1 work placement engaging hands-on learning
- An evening of performance bringing together professional artists, community members and local audiences
Through projects like this, Sterts increases confidence, develops skills, and strengthens community connections
Also in 2025, Olly joined us as a technical volunteer and with guidance from our Technical Manager, developed expertise in lighting design. He gained confidence and professional experience, now contributing to freelance productions across Cornwall.
We work with Transferable Skills Training, a local further education and vocational training centre, on our outdoor construction and horticulture project Root & Branch, funded by the National Lottery Community Fund. The blend of nature and creativity of our site, is the perfect place to reconnect with nature. Participants on the programme say:
"I never knew how much being outside could change my mental outlook. The sunshine and activity help me feel more positive and boost your energy throughout the day."
"Building something outside, whether it’s a shed or a wall, gives me a confidence boost. It feels good to know I can build something with my own hands."
OUR CHALLENGE
We are the only venue of our kind in South East Cornwall. But we are a small team, and our capacity is limited. We want to support more projects like Sea Dances.
In 2025, we were only able to open up our spaces 50% of the time. We want to increase this, providing more opportunities for professional, community and amateur theatre companies to stage their work, run workshops and develop their ideas.
Additionally, there is a lack of professional skills development and career pathways for the live arts. In the Cornwall Council Creative Census 2025, 38% of respondents stated that more training and skills programmes were essential.
OUR SOLUTION
We want to upskill local people in technical skills, enabling us to grow our team and increase local people's access to our Barn Theatre, Sturrock Studio and Community Hub.
To increase opportunities, we will:
1. Offer 4 technical volunteer training placements, providing hands on experience in sound, lighting and backstage roles. £1,500 funds one placement.
2. Run training days for local groups, communities and businesses who want to hire our spaces with confidence.
3. Reinstate our costume and prop store as a sustainable, hireable resource for all. This will be a community asset, run by members of our volunteer and local community. As a not-for-profit organisation, all profit from our new store will be invested back into our community via workshops and creative offers.
4. Prioritise becoming a hub of learning and discovery - Promoting Sterts as a centre of learning and discovery. Expand learning and career pathways for adults, ensuring Sterts continues to nurture skills, confidence, and community participation.
SUPPORT US
As a not-for-profit organisation, the success of Sterts means more money invested in local community and economy, ensuring South East Cornwall has access to high quality arts and culture.
Any amount you can give to support our Crowdfunder will make a real difference. Please check out our rewards below!
Other Ways to Support Our Campaign:
- Volunteer with us! Volunteers are the beating heart of Sterts, embodying our values and ensuring we can continue to bring creativity and joy to our communities and audiences. In 2020, Sterts was awarded The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service (QAVS). The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service was awarded in recognition of the enormous dedication of the volunteer team at Sterts.
- Looking for a present for a loved one, why not gift them the experience of a show in 2026? You can check out our full programme here. If you're after a recommendation, then why not book for Our Public House on the 12th & 13th June 2026. Each performance will feature local people as part of the story, alongside the professional cast onstage, and our More on the Moor placements will be working behind the scenes to support the production!
- You can also round up your ticket purchase with a donation. From now until the end of February 2026, all round up donations will be added to the More on the Moor campaign.
- Follow us on Instagram and Facebook, and sign up to our Mailing List!
"Whether you buy tickets, volunteer your time, or donate, every contribution enables us to continue creating place-based work that tells the stories of our Cornish communities. Your contribution directly supports us to bring and sustain creative talent in South East Cornwall and beyond." - Sara Rhodes, CEO/Creative Director.
Spread the word - let your friends and family in on Cornwall's best kept secret! Thank you.
#MoreOnTheMoor
--
Donations and pledges made to the More on the Moor campaign will go to Sterts Theatre CIC (Company No. 15422924) the trading arm of Sterts Arts & Environmental Centre (Charity No. 1189424). Donations and pledges to this campaign are not eligible for Gift Aid.
Funding method
Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made