Connecting our Communities: Arts and Culture Round-Up


Financial Support & Government Backed Loan Scheme…


The government has announced further financial support for businesses suffering as a result of Covid-19. The Future Fund will provide convertible government loans ranging from £125,000 to £5 million to UK companies, subject to match funding by private investors. Scheduled to launch in May, more information can be found here if you are interested in applying.

Available from early May, the Bounce Back Loan Scheme enables smaller businesses to access finance more quickly during the coronavirus outbreak. Loans range between £2,000 and 25% of your turnover to a maximum of £50,000 and can be accessed via accredited lenders. More information about the eligibility criteria can be found here.


Experience theatre from the comfort of your home


The National Theatre is excited to bring you its National Theatre At Home series, which this week features Frankenstein. Directed by Academy Award®-winner Danny Boyle, this production sees Benedict Cumberbatch and Jonny Lee Miller alternating between the roles of Victor Frankenstein and his creation. Recommended for ages 12 and up, simply head over to Youtube and choose which performance you prefer to watch.


Join in the VE day celebrations…


The National Museum of the Royal Navy, the National Army Museum and the Royal Air Force Museum are joining forces to host a free online festival, from 7-9 May. Bringing to life the stories of those who helped deliver Victory in Europe, the festival opens with a victory-themed debate between curators from the three museums, chaired by author and historian James Holland, followed by a live Q&A.

While we are all staying safe and keeping our social distance, plans have been afoot to celebrate VE Day this Friday 8 May in the Liverpool City Region. To mark the occasion we are going red, white and blue as buildings, venues and highways light up in a united show of support for VE Day. Over 18 screens throughout the city will display the ‘VE 75 Thank You’ messaging and on the Culture Liverpool Website you will find a whole host of information and activities to get involved in.


Future creative connections…


‘People Make It Work’ is a daily response video by Change Creation. In this edition, Arts leader and advocate Andrea Nixon shares her views on the current climate we find ourselves in, how we adapt in times of change and what the future holds for those in the cultural sector. Listen to her thoughtful response here, interesting stuff!


Have a mooch around…


The British Museum have revamped their digital collection, so if you have time on your hands why not immerse yourself in two million years of history! Enjoy the wealth of collections here, you never know you may learn a thing or two.


The Oyé vibes…


Bido Lito! have partnered with Melodic Distraction Radio to bring Africa Oyé direct to your home. Each week they’ll host an exclusive live mix with that infamous Oyé vibe to brighten up your isolation weekend. This week’s live features sounds from across the globe courtesy of Emily Dust. Get listening here.


A book worthy of buying….


The NHS needs our support now more than ever, so why not grab a copy of Lewis Khan’s photobook entitled ‘Theatre’. Having spent four years documenting two London hospitals, Khan has captured remarkable and intimate portraits of staff and patients, sharing with us both the strength and fragility of the human form. Simply stunning. The photobook can be pre-ordered from Lost Light Books and all profits from the sale of the book will be donated to the NHS.


Good news from University of Liverpool…


The University of Liverpool is launching their very own Culture Unconfined Festival, which brings together and celebrates inspiring cultural activity from the creative spaces of film, drama, music, and poetry from across the UK and Ireland. Full of famous artists and entertaining topics, the online festival takes place on the 11-15 May. Take a look, you won’t be disappointed.


Sharing is caring…


With so much rich digital content out there, Culturepool are reminding partners to share information via their online portal. This great resource helps teachers and education professionals connect young people to local art and culture across the Liverpool City Region. It’s easy to do, simply head over the Cultural Partners page, select ‘Add An Offer’, enter your details and job done.


Dungeons & Dragons makes a comeback…


Join Nish Kumar, Sue Perkins, Ed Gamble and Sara Pascoe as they take part in a Dungeons & Dragons live stream this Friday 8 May. Hosted by Comic Relief and Wizards of the Coast, this fun night in with some of the country’s most beloved comedians should give us all a laugh or two whilst we’re stuck at home. The event kicks off at 7pm on the interactive platform Tiltify, where donations will be accepted. All money raised will go towards charities in the UK and around the world that urgently need support to respond to the coronavirus pandemic.


A gift of kindness…


The Bluecoat are inviting supporters and friends to buy vouchers which will be gifted at random to Merseyside frontline workers. Once the Display Centre has re-opened, the voucher winners will be able to pop along and choose a gift to that value. Help show your appreciation for all they have done to help others. Simply head over to the Bluecoat Online Shop and select the voucher you would like to purchase as part of the draw before the 24 May.


Women come together….


A team of over 60 women from across Liverpool have come together to sew cotton face masks for frontline workers in desperate need of PPE. Through the power of Facebook Carol Powell set about enlisting help from those who could cut, sew and distribute. Since embarking on this fabulous cause, they have had requests for and supplied over 1,500 masks in less than a week to The Marie Curie, The Royal Liverpool University Hospital, Aintree University Hospital, Liverpool Women’s Hospital, Alder Hey Children’s Hospital Liverpool, The Walton Centre, Walk in Centre’s, Pharmacies, Halewood District Nurses, numerous care homes, as well as Tesco, Asda, Sainsburys and The Royal Mail. Fancy lending a helping hand? Email Carol on [email protected].


Let’s challenge those grey cells…


TheDepartment for Education have  launched a new online resource giving access to free, high quality digital and numeracy courses to help people build up their skills. Why not check out The Skills Toolkit and give those brain cells a good workout!


Everyman & Playhouse’s Love, Liverpool: An A-Z of Hope…


The Everyman & Playhouse theatres are calling for submissions to be part of a digital journey through the Liverpool City Region, featuring commissioned work by local artists and digital ‘picnics’ put together by some of the theatres’ well-known friends. Combining audio, video and the written word ‘Love, Liverpool: An A-Z of Hope’ will be delivered through a series of letters. Every week a letter to Liverpool, from Liverpool will put readers in a different place in the city, with stories ready to be explored. To get involved head over to their Love Liverpool Submissions page before 5pm on Wednesday 13 May.


Time for positive change…


Mandela8 have recently developed a programme called Roots and Wings designed for young people who lack positive role models and are at risk of criminal exploitation or violent crime. Over 12 weeks participants are guided through possible solutions to prevent them re-engaging with crime and violence, building their resilience and strength to say no and not get involved. Read more about the positive work going on here.


Celebrate LightNight at home…


Whilst the free, annual culture crawl around the city can’t be recreated during lockdown, LightNight will be taking the opportunity this year to celebrate art, artists and creatives online. So set a reminder for 5pm on Friday 15 May to join. Don’t forget to follow #LightNightatHome for a night of sharing, creativity and inspiration and check out their Interlace activity to get involved.


Fun for the family…


It’s been a long while since a lot of children have seen the inside of a classroom. Why not take a step back in time to the 1800s to see what school life was like at the Bluecoat before it became one of Liverpool’s cultural hubs. With lots of learning resources, this should whittle away some hours.


And finally…


Community is Kindness - Credit: Jack Arts


Image Credit: Jack Arts

We thought it would be nice to end this week with a heart-warming story. The world as we know it has been turned upside down. In response to this chaos, Build Hollywood joined forces with its sister agencies Jack Arts and Diabolical to roll out their ‘Community is Kindness poster campaign. A campaign of hope, empowerment and positivity. Made us smile. Lovely jovely!

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