The Bench Blog May 2026

Igniting Creativity in Dover: Welcoming Screen South to The Bench

The atmosphere was upbeat as we met with Jo Nolan, Chief Executive Officer, and Hayley Ray, Head of Business Development, to catch up with one of our exciting new tenants, Screen South.

As they prepare to move into The Bench, both Jo and Hayley were eager to share how their organisation will help shape the creative heartbeat of Dover’s new centre.

Screen South are a cultural development organisation with digital creativity at their core. They nurture talent, open doors for people of all ages, and champion accessible pathways into film, digital media, and emerging technologies. Their work is rooted in community, opportunity, and the belief that creativity should be available to everyone.

Here are ten things you need to know about Screen South as they get ready to move into The Bench:

1.They’re an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation

Recognised as a leader in their field, Screen South receive regular, long-term funding from Arts Council England to help support their work. They ensure that local communities can access creativity and culture, and that it’s free for young people.

2. They’re supported by the British Film Institute

Screen South produce a wide range of films, audio digital media and creative XR to share powerful stories with different audiences.

Supported by the Arts Council England and the British Film Institute, Screen South focus on people’s ideas, creativity and energy, to help them access pathways into the industry.

They also embrace immersive technologies like Virtual Reality.

3.They work closely with the local community and offer new opportunities

Screen South create opportunities for young people they might not otherwise have at school or at home. They help them explore and learn new skills, by offering new experiences. They are also very interested in intergeneration projects that see storytelling really come alive through digital opportunities.

4.They run a variety of projects and workshops

From hands on digital workshops to artist development programmes, Screen South offer something for everyone. Young people’s workshops are run in the school holidays and they’re free for young people to take part.

Highlights include:

• Culture camps – for 8- to 18-year-olds – introducing young people to creative digital tech such as:

-          using computers to create music

-          raspberry pi coding in preparation for coding and games design

-          stop motion animation

-          filming techniques

-          sound creation to match moving images

• An emerging talent programme for anyone looking to start a new creative project that’s digitally led
• Monthly workshops
• Labs and Showcases where professional creatives and emerging talent spend three months learning tools like Unreal Engine software for interactive 3D environments for games and film
• A Showcase Artists programme supporting 8 to 12 artists over 12 to 16 months with mentoring, development support, and bursaries of up to £3,000
• An Open Doors programme – offering practical skills such as how to take great photos or film footage using a mobile phone – all in a one-day workshop
• The Accentuate programme – supporting Deaf, Disabled and neurodivergent creatives across arts and heritage programmes.

5.They’re planning for the future

Screen South are actively shaping their next two years of work, applying for new funding streams and preparing for The Bench at Dover to become their main base. They’ll also run pop up centres across the South East for specific projects and programmes.

6.They help individuals build creative career pathways

From writing references to offering one to one advice and guidance, Screen South support people who may not yet have industry connections. They encourage keen and hardworking young people from their Culture Camps to progress into their British Film Industry Academy and help them to get national opportunities and ‘into industry’ where they can. They also run creative, technical and business programmes for artists, filmmakers and creatives based around continuous professional development and business growth.

7.They encourage experimentation and creative risk taking

Screen South provide a safe space for artists, filmmakers and digital makers to explore new ideas, experiment with emerging technologies and push creative boundaries.

They encourage them to take risks and offer an environment where they can explore ideas and try new things - inspiring innovative thinking and knowledge sharing.

8.They love to build creativity around community

Expect small collaborative festivals, exhibition showcases and one day workshops for complete beginners, and joyful opportunities for expression. Screen South are part of Wavelength, a growing dance festival in East Kent, and are collaborating with Moving Memory Dance Company on a community place programme exploring creativity, health, heritage, and digital expression while having fun.

Screen South is excited to use both The Bench and the wider district as creative spaces — connecting heritage sites, unused spaces and local stories. They believe that exploring themes is good for our minds, bodies, wellbeing and health as well as creativity and culture sharing.

9. They’re actively seeking partners and ideas to bring some unique opportunities to Dover

Their aim is to build confidence, encourage collaboration, and bring fresh energy to Dover’s creative scene.

They want to give people the confidence to be open and creative, and to share thoughts and ideas and encourage them. To share a sense of vitality and energy - sowing the seed of an idea which could then grow.

10.Screen South welcome everyone

Their happiest moments come from seeing young people and new talent try something new, and for creative flair not to be held back because of a lack of money or opportunity.

Screen South will move into The Bench in October 2026. Their community engagement room will be on the ground floor, and their first public exhibition will open in 2027.

They may have a regional, national, and international presence, but their heart is firmly in the local community. And they can’t wait to become part of Dover’s creative future.

Further reading

The Bench Blog November 2025 - see what’s planned for East Kent College's first cohort of art and design students when they are the first to study in The Bench building from September 2026.

The Bench Blog - June 2025 - meet our Contracts Manager and Quantity Surveyor from Jenner Group who explain what the project means to them.

The Bench Blog March 2025 - For International Women's Day we profiled three of our female team members working on the design, architecture and management of the project.