Without Walls partners bring creativity and culture to their communities during the lockdown
12 June 2020
Community projects, podcasts, virtual festivals, online lessons and more across the Without Walls network.
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 led to changes in how we work and stimulated us to seek out new and innovative ways to continue making high-quality art 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 Outdoor Arts
101 Outdoor Arts Creation Space has released a podcast that reacts to the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 on the Outdoor Arts sector.
Hosted by NASA’s Paschale Straiton, each episode features artists and creative professionals talking about how they are adapting to these new circumstances and how they are creating new work across different disciplines and different scales in exciting ways.
Additionally, 101 created the 101 Digital Awards, grants issued to outdoor artists that were affected by the COVID-19 situation.
Recipients include Chris Bullzini, Safetycatch Street Theatre, Gobbledegook Theatre, Trigger Stuff amongst others, all of whom will explore new ways of working and develop innovative ideas to make their work available online.
Out There Festival
Seachange Arts, the team behind Out There Festival, is providing online circus skills classes. They are for all ages and abilities and are a great way to shake the cobwebs off and learn a new skill.
First Art
Across our Touring Network Partnership, First Art has commissioned a range of exciting shows and adaptations to keep you entertained during the lockdown, including a new online version of Without Walls-supported show Bingo Lingo by Wild N Beets.
Remote Access is a series of artist projects as part of the Go the Distance Festival 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
Elsewhere, Theatre Orchard has 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.
All in the Mind Festival
All in the Mind Festival has 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
Made in Grimsby is a new talent development initiative being delivered by The Culture House. 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, The Culture HouseWe 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.