Connecting our Communities: Weekly Round Up


Support for the arts and cultural sector

In these unprecedented times it’s vital the arts and cultural sector is safeguarded. That’s why Arts Council England (ACE) has created an emergency fund worth £160 million to support people and organisations affected by Covid-19. The fund is offering support for cultural organisations, big and small, as well as individual artists and creative practitioners. Find out more about the fund here.


New commissions

Calling all artists! There are some brilliant commissions in Liverpool City Region right now. FACT, Homotopia and Heart of Glass are all looking for artists and we’re thrilled to share with you. Head on over to our Opportunities For Artists page, where you will find all the information. Be quick, applications are closing soon.


Bridging the Gap Bursaries

Curious Minds is offering fast turnaround Continuous Professional Development & Learning bursaries for cultural education freelancers (£750) and small or community-based arts organisations (£1,500) whose main work is with schools or children and young people.

This money should allow those in the cultural education community the space for their own development, and hopefully ‘bridge the gap’ between now and the receipt of any emergency grants or funding. Applications close on Thursday 30 April 2020. For more information and to apply go to the Curious Minds Bridging The Gap webpage.


Liverpool City Region Round-up

Mandela8 have been awarded £95,000 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to establish and deliver a major oral history programme ensuring the history and stories of community activists in Toxteth and their first-hand memories of anti-apartheid struggles are told. The project will create opportunities around employment, research volunteers and digital skills training. Find out more here.

If you have children off school and aged between four and 11 years old, the National Museums Liverpool would love for them to get involved with their brand-new project: My Home is My Museum. All you need is a little bit of imagination to create a museum or gallery of your choice. Go on let your thoughts run far and wide. Find out how to get involved here.

Liverpool based Handstand Films have linked up with Lancashire Youth Challenge Charity to create a fun video to keep you fit whilst in the comfort of your home. Are you up to the National 3 Peaks Staircase Challenge? We are! Watch the video hereto take part.

Whilst plans for this year’s Africa Oyé have been put on hold for the time being, why not check out their monthly radio show on Melodic Distraction. A mixture of live and DJ recordings from the festival, interviews with artists, organisers and more, as well as guest mixes and live sessions along the way can be found on there. Tune in here.

Liverpool Arab Arts Festival have been busy creating a playlist especially for you! Featuring artists who have performed at the festival from over the years, what better way to experience Arab musicians and artists. Listen and enjoy here.

If you miss the tranquil setting of the Bluecoat then why not take a look at their catalogue of images, documenting how the space has evolved over 300 years. They say looking at plants and green things can help you feel calmer and more relaxed. As part of their Green Fingers theme, Bluecoat have shared handy instructions on how to create a sketchbook using household items for you to sketch the plants of your choice – a great activity to keep the kids entertained! If you’re looking for some new listening material, Artistic Director Bryan Biggs has compiled a playlist inspired by gardens, planting and growing. To listen head over to Spotify here.

And finally…

No better way to end our first round-up than hearing from one of the cultural sector’s most respected thinkers and proud Liverpudlian. Jude Kelly CBE, Founder & Chair of Metal share’s her thoughts on the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on artists and freelancers. Read the full article here.

Don’t forget to come back for more next week!

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