This artist-led discussion was created as space for artists to share experiences and thoughts on the challenges of making work post lockdown. The session aims to build confidence both in working with Covid-19 safety measures and in conversations around wellbeing.

The session included contributions from Danielle Corbishley, Head of 101 Creation Centre in Newbury, who provided an insight into their experience of creating the safe conditions for artists to start working in rehearsal spaces and outdoors. Our other guest is Kerry Harvey of the positive mental health and social change group, The Starfish Collaborative, who shared strategies for considering and supporting wellbeing.

The discussion was hosted by Victoria Firth, XTRAX General Manager and self-care advocate.

Watch the recording of the presentations below.

Featured image: DAMAE Dance

COVID- 19 RESOURCES

Without Walls Covid-19 Toolkit

Arts Council England Covid-19 support

Engage Covid-19resources and information

Arts Marketing Association Covid-19 resources

Kerry Harvey Signposts List – “a pick and mix of some of the resources I use, and often find myself down some really enlightening rabbit holes so please explore!”

Artist wellbeing and peer support – Baring Foundation blog ‘Artists on the frontline, what support is available for artists wellbeing‘

Creativity and wellbeing – Skillshare blog: ‘10 ways to maintain mental health as an artist‘

Health – Northern Healthcare: ‘Factors that affect our mental health‘

Self-care -BMI Health Care ‘What is Self Care and Why is it Important?‘

Danielle Corbishley, Head of 101 & Outdoor Programmes – 101 Outdoor Arts Creation Space & Corn Exchange, Newbury.

Danielle is a creative producer, director and performer with a track record of creating ambitious and wide-reaching outdoor performance projects across a range of settings and scales. Her passion for contemporary performance, education and training runs through every aspect of her work, cultivated by her time as Head of Performing Arts at Reading College, Artistic Director of Beautiful Creatures Theatre and Producer for Dance Reading. This is now crystalised in her post as Head of 101 Outdoor Arts Creation Space in Newbury, where she manages the operations and activities for this multifaceted national centre for the development of outdoor arts and work for public spaces, supporting artists to do what they do best!

Kerry Harvey – Creativity and Wellbeing Advocate, The Starfish Collaborative CIC

Kerry has worked in participatory community arts for 20 years whilst also living with long term health conditions and caring for family members with health conditions.
Recognising and exploring the transformative relationship between creativity and positive wellbeing in her own life experiences (and the lives of the communities she works with), Kerry develops projects that intentionally highlight this powerful relationship and supports people to articulate this impact in their lives, resulting in greater wellbeing outcomes and positive social change.

Victoria Firth, XTRAX General Manager and self-care advocate

Victoria Firth is a theatre maker and performer working at the intersection of theatre, live art and cabaret. She is interested in empathy, embodiment and connection – getting under the skin of things that lots of us feel but often don’t talk about. She also provides wellbeing support and mentoring to other artists, writes and runs workshops on the topic of self-care for creatives, and delivers access support to project grant applicants. She is also currently a part time General Manager at XTRAX responsible for strategy and planning.