Festival 31 has landed…
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.
Are you ready to view the world through the eyes of others? The successful commissions can be viewed here.
Retail therapy…
To celebrate 5 fantastic years, Melodic Distraction have created some funky merch designed by local artists! 10% of all profits will be going to Stop Hate UK, a charity working to eradicate hate crimes across the UK and 100% of profits from their community tea towel. Throw some love their way and support this fantastic cause. Shop the range here.
Feedback for the future…
Following the appointment of Matt Ashton as Liverpool Director of Public Health, the Public Health team is reviewing the way it works, both internally and with its partners. If you work with Public Health in any capacity, please consider taking five minutes to complete this short survey by Friday 26 June.
Crackin Flags…
Commissioned by the Arts & Events Unit of Oldham Council, Urban Canvas are sharing their take part art video to inspire people to decorate the outdoor space around their home. Whether that be a garden patio, balcony or communal outdoor area, a blank canvas can be found on your doorstep. Ready to get creative, step this way.
WOW training…
Writing on the Wall has launched a 6-week training programme created for underrepresented writers in the North West. Titled Superheroes: Words Are Our Power, this free course is aimed at writers who would like to develop their skills and explore the possibility of working in education. The course runs from 23 July to 27 August. You can find out more and apply here.
Salt Act…
A Merseyside based artist Clare Brumby has been developing a new participatory artwork to celebrate love, unity, and strength during lockdown. A research trip to India to commemorate the 90th Anniversary of Gandhi’s ‘Salt March’ and a series of online dialogues has inspired Clare to create an online peaceful protest that uses simple yoga and dance movements to convey messages of hope and unity. The performance will be broadcast on Facebook Live at 3pm on Sunday 21st June. Join in here.
Tech insight…
Fancy hearing what James Akers, the Tech Champion for Data Analytics and Insight at Digital Culture Network, has to say? James has been hosting a series of webinars on Google Analytics recently and now they are available for you to watch too. Google Analytics for absolute beginners can be viewed here and How to audit your Google Analytics account can be viewed here.
People are creating video content now more than ever. Subtitling is a key way to ensure that this content is accessible to everyone. With that in mind, Stagetext have launched a series of free training videos to teach people working in arts and culture how to subtitle their own work and to understand the benefits and importance of subtitles. This free training, led by Programmes Systems Manager, Oliver Webster, can be viewed here.
Job opps…
Arts Emergency is a charity and national support network for young people who don’t have influential contacts of their own. An opportunity has arisen for the role of a Project Coordinator, to help launch and run the award winning mentoring scheme in Merseyside. Applications close Sunday 5 July 2020. More information about how to apply can be found here.
An exciting new role for Creative Director and Programmer has just been announced for the lead up to and opening of the Shakespeare North Playhouse and the Knowsley Borough of Culture ‘celebration’ events. The closing date is 3pm on Wednesday 8 July, so if you are interested in applying find out how here.
Lockdown Labyrinth…
Fancy getting involved in a study? Elaine McNeill from LJMU is currently undertaking a PhD, exploring what arts activities can be useful during epidemics to process, reflect, represent and capture our experiences of lockdown and in particular by engaging with labyrinths. The study involves people producing arts that represent their experience of social isolation and/or building a labyrinth. Anyone interested in taking part can find out more here.
Women in Action…
Women in Action is a new project for women living in the Liverpool City Region. It retells the stories, past and present, of women’s activism and community organising. It also shares, celebrates, harnesses and develops the role women in Merseyside play in supporting and nurturing their communities, as well as providing free accredited training opportunities in digital creativity. Read more about this amazing project here.
Feedback for the future…
On behalf of DCMS, the British Council (one of the lead partners of Creative Europe Desk UK on the Creative Europe programme) is collating sector views and insights on the benefits of the programme to-date and aspirations for a future culture sector funding alternative to Creative Europe once the UK leaves the EU. They would like to understand current ambitions for international and collaborative working in the UK cultural sector, particularly in light of the Covid-19 crisis and its impact on the sector. These insights will be vital in informing ideas around a potential domestic alternative to Creative Europe‘s Culture sub-programme for consideration in the next Spending Review. The survey closes: 26 June and you can take part here.
Movema’s got the moves…
Are you missing going to dance class? No stress! Do a little happy dance because dance class has come to you! Pop over to Movema’s Youtube Channel and take part in a 30 minute express class and dance around the world!
Daughters of the Windrush…
Daughters of the Windrush film will be screened on Monday 22 June. Using oral history and archive footage including personal stills, photographs and community stories, the documentary tells the currently unheard contribution of the Windrush generation to British life and culture here in Liverpool. The documentary film will also have a permanent home in the North West Film Archive and the Liverpool Records Office, preserved for posterity and accessible to the community and general public for generations to come. Reserve your place to the screening here.
Artists needed…
The MYA RAISE Mental Health Promotion Project Team are looking to work with artists from BAME communities to work with young people from BAME communities. Using themes of self-care, trauma recovery, anxiety, tackling stigma, access to mental health services, building resilience and so forth, art will be created and used as a positive campaign about mental health and Anti Discriminatory practice. Anyone interested in taking part should email [email protected].
