Festival 31 coming soon…
F31 is coordinated by SOLA Arts in partnership with contributing organisations and individuals. Just as we are all navigating our way to a new ‘normal’ and a very different global and local experience, this year’s festival is also adapting. SOLA have partnered with Culture Liverpool and Everyman & Playhouse to inform the development of the programme over the next few years and to bring the festival onto a digital platform.
Festival 31 artists, arts organisations and supporters were asked to respond to the theme of Creative Connections and an exploration of what 31 can be, 31 days, 31 connections, 31 hours, 31 thoughts, 31 people, 31 countries, 31 smiles, 31 questions… Anything from a virtual meal, sharing recipes from where people of Liverpool’s refugee communities originate, to poetry and spoken word performances, dance, video, sound, comedy or music. The work comprises pieces from artists of refugee and asylum seeker backgrounds through to artists collaborating with people from displaced and settled communities in the region to create something wonderful together, our creative connections.
The successful commissions will be revealed next week!
Not to be missed funding opportunities…
Following consultation with industry representatives, a £3m Future Innovation Fund pilot programme has been established by the Metro Mayor to support Liverpool City Region’s small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs). The fund aims to incentivise SMEs to innovate, adapt and diversify in response to the challenges and opportunities presented by the pandemic and its associated impacts on the economy and society. For more information and to see if you are eligible to apply head over to the Growth Platform.
A £1.5m Freelands Foundation Emergency Fund has been created, as part of a landmark commitment of £3m towards emergency funds for artists and freelance creative practitioners across the UK affected by the Covid-19 crisis. Grants of up to £2,500 are available, so if you are a freelance creative practitioner based in England and Northern Ireland and work in the visual arts see if you are eligible to apply here. Be quick, applications close Thursday 18 June at 2pm.
Love, Liverpool: an A-Z of Hope…
Everyman & Playhouse Theatres have delivered their first Love, Liverpool letter as part of their digital journey. Each letter contains a wealth of multi-media treats, including audio stories, written stories, poems, pictures, videos, recipes and more – all from commissioned artists, friends of the theatres and from the wonderful people of Liverpool. You can read/listen/watch as much or as little as you like. It’s all online for you to dip in and out of in between work, tasks, chores or any day to day activity. Each story is a story of their own, but together paints us a beautiful picture of our city. Join in here.
Sign up & tune in…
Kids and adults alike, of all ages, with no experience needed, are being invited to take part in Tune in With Katumba. This is a free online project that explores the creative processes of composition, drumming, movement, visual arts and performance! Interested? Read more here.
Let’s get Jigsy…
Royal Court Liverpool are proud to present Jigsy, starring Les Dennis. A one man play, Jigsy talks directly to the audience, retelling stories of his life’s ups and downs. Originally performed at Royal Court Liverpool in 2012, you can catch the performance here on Royal Court’s Youtube channel.
Google tag??…
What is Google Tag Manager? How is it different from Google Analytics? Why should I use Google Tag Manager? Join James Akers, the Data Analytics and Insight Tech Champion for Digital Culture Network, to learn the basics of Google Tag Manager – how it works, how to set up an account, the benefits it will bring to your organisation and much more. It takes place on Thursday 18 June at 2pm. Book your place here.
Continue the conversation…
The Digital Culture Network in partnership with Google Arts & Culture would like to invite you to a panel conversation focussing on adapting and embracing change to work more digitally in the light of Covid-19. Panel members will share and discuss their journey and plans for the future and will include Adam Comstive from The Met, Hannah Fox from Derby Museums and Naomi Wilds from Adverse Camber. Register and join in the conversation here.
The People’s Remix Choir…
Jennifer John is inviting everyone, regardless of their singing experience, age or location to take part in the creation of an online recording of the club classic Follow Me by Aly-us. Accompanied by renowned choir Sense of Sound Singers, the track will be made into an official remix recording and released as The People’s Remix Choir on all streaming platforms. To get involved head over to Jennifer John’s website.
New Chief Conductor announced…
Domingo Hindoyan has been announced as the new Chief Conductor of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra from September 2021. Hindoyan builds on the legacy of Vasily Petrenko who steps down after 15 years and who will assume the role of Conductor Laureate. More information this way.
The world of Indian music and dance…
Following a weekend of back-to-back live performances, workshops and discussions online to celebrate International Dance Day in April, Milap continues to provide high quality content via its online channels, featuring everything from full-length concerts from their Music for the Mind and Soul archives, to their new Try It Out dance sessions. This brand new workshop has been specially designed to give everyone the opportunity to try out an Indian dance or music style from the comfort of their own home. Suitable for any age and with no previous experience or training required get involved here.
Knowledge is power…
Are you a freelancer, small organisation in the cultural education sector, or an individual in a learning and participation department? Then Curious Minds would love to hear from you and for you to share your experience of how Covid-19 has impacted your sector. They have created a very short 2-question form which can be completed here. If you wish to participate, please complete the questionnaire Friday 19 June.
Exhibitions at the Bluecoat…
In 2018, marking the 50th anniversary of the Race Relations Act, Scarlett Crawford presented a bold new series of photographs made with young people in Liverpool, expressing their feelings and thoughts about the Race Relations Act and its legacy. You can read more about the exhibition at Bluecoat here.
Beginning on Wednesday 17 June the Bluecoat will start a careful re-opening of its building. Open for a couple of days each week from 12pm – 4pm throughout June, you can pre-book your visitor slot by emailing [email protected] in advance. Whilst there, you will be able to view the new In the Window ceramic work by Emma Rodgers which has been made during lockdown. Ahead of this please check the Bluecoat website for opening details and the Covid-19 safety measures they will have in place.
Continuing the Positive Vibrations…
Like many other events and festivals, Positive Vibrations has made the tough decision to postpone their festivities this year. However, fear not, they will be back next year on 11-12 June 2021. So if you have already purchased a ticket, keep hold of it, as it will still be valid for next year. Keep up to date with whats happening and when here.
Learning opportunities for schools…
The latest newsletter by the The Liverpool Cultural Education Partnership and Liverpool Learning Partnership, and produced for schools is available to read now. For learning opportunities created by local arts and cultural organisations can be found here for primary schools and here for secondary schools. In the meantime, if you have any resources that would be useful and relevant for schools right now, please upload to the Culturepool website here.
