In the last few months the Outdoor Arts sector, along with the rest of the world, has been rocked by the COVID-19 pandemic. This has forced us all to re-evaluate how we work, and seek out new and innovative ways to continue making high-quality work and support our local communities.
Here we have picked out some examples of what our fantastic Without Walls partners have been doing to spread creativity and positivity, continuing to support artists and audiences in the current situation.
101 Podcasts & Digital Awards:
Artistic Directorate (AD) member 101 Outdoor Arts have developed and released a series of podcasts that reacts to ongoing effects of the COVID-19, talking to artists and creative professionals about how they are responding. Each podcast features different disciplines and different scales of work and provides an insight into how creatives in the sector are coping and creating new work in exciting ways.
The 101 Digital Awards were a series of grants made available to outdoor artists that were affected by the COVID-19 situation. These grants allow artists to explore new ways of working and develop innovative ideas to make their work available online.
Listen to the 101 Outdoor Arts Podcasts here https://soundcloud.com/101outdoorarts
Explore the 11 exciting projects here https://101outdoorarts.com/about/news/2020/recipients-of-101-digital-r-d-awards-announced
SeaChange Arts
Seachange Arts, the team behind AD partner Out There Festival are providing online circus skills. They are for all ages and abilities and are a great way to shake the cobwebs off and learn a new skill.
Check out the class programme here https://seachangearts.org.uk/event/drillazonline/
First Art Remote Access programme as part of the Go the Distance Festival:
Touring Network Partnership (TNP) members First Art have commissioned a range of exciting shows and adaptations to keep you entertained during lockdown, including a new online version of Without Walls-supported show Bingo Lingo by Wild N Beets.
Explore their vibrant programme here https://firstart.org.uk/whats-on/
Remote Access is a series of artist projects designed to bring a bit of fun and entertainment to people’s lives in these moments of isolation via the wonders of the Web and digital technology.
Theatre Orchard:
Fellow TNP members Theatre Orchard have produced an excellent project with local artists Meg and Mona called ‘Holidaying at Home’. This was created with Without Walls Audience Development support and encourages the audience to create their own dream holiday from the comfort of their living room.
Check out the DIY creative pack here http://theatreorchard.org.uk/holidaying-at-home/
All in the Mind:
All in the Mind Festival, Creative Development Network (CDN) partners based in Basingstoke, have launched a Virtual Volunteer programme, following the decision to move the festival online. The festival and volunteer programme seeks to raise awareness of how the arts can improve mental health issues, which will be even more relevant in the current climate.
The Culture House: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwgK4Xfo0c0K7weTdKGLIoQ/videos
Made in Grimsby is a new talent development initiative being delivered by The Culture House, also CDN members. In its early stages, Made in Grimsby aims to highlight the wealth of creative talent that exists in Grimsby and North East Lincolnshire. So far they have featured musicians, an author, an actor and music producer, among others.
Charlotte Bowen, Director of The Culture House said: “We are currently developing this concept in order to champion local creative talent alongside supporting development through a range of workshops and other opportunities including collaborative projects and performances.”
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