ORGANISERS behind a biennial arts festival have set up shop on Portland.

The team behind b-side festival will launch a new project space in Fortuneswell ahead of this year's festival.

Having previously been based in Dorchester, b-side is moving into what used to be the Jackson Gallery and Cafe.

The cafe's former owners are leasing the space to b-side for their new office space known as Outpost.

Sally Watkins, co-artistic director and advocacy developer for b-side, said: "Moving to Portland is exciting for b-side having been based in Dorchester for several years.

"Outpost will give us the opportunity to develop closer links and partnerships with communities and businesses on the island who share our passion for the community and the arts and developing the local creative economy by bringing artists and visitors to this enigmatic island."

Outpost will also become b-side's creative hub for activities and will give residents a chance to experiment on their doorstep.

Sandy Kirkby, creative producer and marketing director for b-side, said: "Having a space on Portland means that all the work b-side do throughout the year with artists and communities will become much more visible.

"That is really important, because lots of the projects that we celebrate at the Festival have a life between festivals, and they sometimes go under the radar.

"The b-side team are really thankful to Mark and Jo Jackson for providing us with this opportunity."

Two drop-in sessions will be held for the public next month (May).

The first will take place on May 9 between 10am and 4pm. The second event will take place on May 10 between 6pm and 8pm.

The b-side festival works with artists, residents and young people to make site-responsive work revealing often forgotten aspects of Dorset's coastal towns and communities.

This year the festival will return to Portland for nine days, beginning on September 10. The festival will include live music, performances, film and sculpture.

For more information about the festival, please visit b-side.org.uk

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