The Yeovil Community Arts Association (YCAA) was formed in 1984 by a group of interested parties that were campaigning for an Arts Centre in Yeovil.
In 1988, the YCAA became a registered charity and between 1988 and 2005 managed and ran 80 South Street a small but well-loved arts centre and café in the centre of the town.
80 South Street had an active writers group under the direction of Margaret Graham, a successful local author, and this led to the YCAA starting the Yeovil Literary Prize competition in 2004. The YCAA continues to organise the Yeovil Literary Prize, now an established international competition with significant prizes and categories for novel, short story and poetry.
Since 2005 the YCAA ‘s base has been the Octagon Theatre in Yeovil, and it runs bi-monthly arts events in the Johnson Studio, including author talks and music evenings.
In 2013, the YCAA embarked on a venture in association with the Octagon Theatre, Waterstones and SSDC to create the first Yeovil Literary Festival.
The YCAA is an organisation run by a small group of volunteers dedicated to supporting opportunities and facilities for those involved and interested in the creative arts in the South Somerset area. Our activities include fundraising, active support of local groups, sponsorship of talented local young people pursuing artistic training and education and the organisation of local cultural and arts events.