At Market Hall, education and community engagement have been at the heart of our journey from day one. Over the past five years, thousands of young people, educators and families have discovered the power of immersive technology through the dome, opening up new opportunities for creativity, learning and aspiration.

As part of our 5th birthday celebrations, Gary Futcher, Head of Public Programmes, Education & Community, reflects on the incredible journey so far and the impact immersive experiences continue to have on young people across Plymouth and beyond.

"I always say I have the best job. Because I get to witness, regularly, the awe and wonder of young children experiencing the immersive dome for the first time. The ooohs of excitement and the reaching up hands always remind me how powerful the experience can be in hooking young people into the wonder of what the dome can do, the worlds it can take them to and the amazing stories it can tell."

"From 18 schools and group visits for 697 young people in our first year to over 100 visits totally over 2,400 young people this year to date we have had quite the education and community journey - ‘what even is a dome?’ and ‘what do you mean 360?’ to increasing numbers of teachers, educators and group leaders understanding the benefits of our immersive experiences to support their work. And more and more young people popping their hands in the air when we ask if they’ve ever been before meaning they’re coming back, enjoying it more, enjoying it again."

"From the start we have had a certain approach - do with and alongside. That means teachers being able to book a screening just for their school to see a film that supports their curriculum just when they want them. That flexibility means it suits the needs at the time, whether introducing a topic, consolidating learning or providing a powerful wow moment."

"Alongside screenings we have developed a specialism in providing all sort of 360 filmmaking workshops, from tasters, to day sessions at Market Hall or in schools, or to longer 5-week projects that culminate in screening events for whole schools, with everyone seeing their own creative work in the cutting-edge space that is the dome. 360 is about seeing differently, seeing in the round but most of all our work is about sparking creative aspirations. We put our cameras and kit into the hands of all ages and say, have a go, see what you can create. Because, it you can’t touch it or feel it how can you ever think about it or want to be it?"

"And we want to be clear that creativity is for everyone. We talk about creative habits, skills that will stand young people in good stead whatever path they pursue. We take our kit to school careers days and host Devon, Plymouth & Torbay Careers Hub experience of the workplace weeks demonstrating the huge variety of routes and careers available in the createch sector, and we celebrate and highlight all sorts of creative technology that brings about shared immersive experiences."

"That’s why our work encompasses the very young, working with early years families through Action 4 Children, for example, or local special schools Woodlands and Cann Bridge to create dome films for particular age groups or needs, and hosting regular Parent & Little Ones or Home Education screenings, because we know the power the dome has."

"This is something that is particularly evident when the dome is used as a sensory space, somewhere that is welcoming to those with a range of additional and sensory needs, a space that is both freeing (there are no fixed seats, if you move you’re not in someone’s way) and supportive in the way it allows for both engagement and regulation."

"It’s a power the dome has that we want to make the most of elsewhere and some of our current work, funded by the Rank Foundation, is exploring how portable projection mapping (the skill of placing projections onto specific surfaces) might support neurodiverse young people in a variety of other places and spaces they might need to access."

"What else, what next? We want more school and groups - we’ve had Brownies and Guides, Cubs and Scouts, youth clubs and childcare settings - to enjoy the dome, we want to continue to provide more 360 filmmaking workshops but we’re also moving into shaping up other interesting approaches to creating shared immersive experiences for young hands and minds, using projection mapping, animation and sound."

"Thanks to those educators and leaders who have been on that journey with us from the beginning, who have seen what we’re doing, got what it could mean for their young people and planned, plotted and collaborated with us to make access to this amazing tech a reality."

"As a teacher I spoke to today, said, when discussing this fourth year of our partnership in delivering a 360 Y6 Leavers’ project and presentation event with them: ‘This building, the dome, the whole experience is something really special for our children and their families. It’s something they remember!’"

"Join us: there’s a whole - 360 - world of possibility out there to explore!"

Looking Ahead

From school screenings and careers events to filmmaking workshops, sensory experiences and community partnerships, Gary and the team continue to champion the belief that immersive technology should be accessible to everyone.

Over the last five years, Market Hall has welcomed thousands of young people into the dome, helping them discover new worlds, develop creative skills and imagine new possibilities for their future. As we look towards the next five years, we remain committed to working alongside schools, families, community groups and partners to inspire the next generation of creators, innovators and storytellers.

Thank you to everyone who has been part of this journey so far. The future is immersive—and we're only just getting started.

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