On the RISE…
In 2019 Culture Liverpool commissioned RISE, a season of commissions, exhibitions, events and happenings exploring and telling the stories of women in all their power and glory, through a cultural lens. Featuring women from Liverpool, the UK and the rest of the world, RISE shone a light on those females whose legacy educates, empowers and inspires us and future generations.
This week we’re excited to reveal that our new online commissions which form RISE Together 2020 will be launched very soon. Featuring 12 women artists, responding to the theme of COVID-19 and how we RISE above it, each commission showcases the fantastic talent, creativity, strength and spirit of the female self. The programme is a social commentary on social inequalities, isolation, and how this has become the new norm through loss and separation. The stories are told through the eyes of female artists of different ages and backgrounds and brings them visibility through a digital platform of podcast, blogs, music, visual art, and comedy.
Remote residencies on offer…
In response to Covid-19 Metal has launched Remote Residenciesto support artists from our local creative communities who have had their worked affected by the pandemic. As well as a £1,000 stipend, successful artists will be given mentoring, practical advice on financing and marketing and access to their combined digital audience of 30,000+ followers. To respond to this open call, head over to Metal before 20 July when applications close.
New funding stream opens…
The Government’s new Community Support Fund is now open and makes available £200m for small to medium organisations in England. The fund aims to increase community support to vulnerable people affected by the COVID-19 crisis, through the work of civil society organisations and reduce temporary closures of essential charities and social enterprises. Further details can be found here.
Calling all talented composers…
Liverpool Philharmonic have announced their 6th Christopher Brooks Composition Prize for young composers. This unique opportunity provides young composers across the NW the chance to develop their talent and access mentoring and guidance from leading artists and music industry professionals, plus much more. So if you know any composer aged 18-30 then pass this on. Applications close Monday 29 June, so find out all you need to know here.
Creation of Youth Advisory Group…
Young people from across the Liverpool City Region are being invited to attend a virtual meeting on 3 June at 4pm with the Metro Mayor to discuss the current and future impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. They hope many will participate to ensure the widest representation as possible. So if you know someone who is aged between 11 – 18 years and is willing to join in the conversation please pass this message on. Anyone interested should email [email protected] or [email protected]. They will be able to answer any queries and send the relevant links to register for the June event.
Creativity for wellbeing…
The world may look very different right now, but creativity is more vital for our wellbeing than ever. As part of Mental Health Awareness Week, Creativity & Wellbeing have scoped out what’s happening around the UK and further afield to create a listing of free events curated with their partners London Arts in Health Forum and a range of other partner organisations. For inspiring content and activities head this way.
New virtual event announced…
This week, Metal launched Future Network Shorts, a monthly virtual event co-programmed by their teams across the UK. On the last Thursday of each month, across the course of a year, 6 artists will be invited to share their work online, delivered across a mix of virtual platforms. Get social and stay up to date with forthcoming performances, conversations and experiments.
Keep reading, stay connected…
National charity The Reader are changing the way they work in order to bring literature to life in your home. Through their initiative The Reader At Home, a selection of wonderful reading materials can be freely accessed online and by phone. With something for everyone, check what’s on offer here.
Cinema at your fingertips…
Film with Pride forms part of LCR Pride Foundation’s year-round programme of social and cultural events. Showcasing the very best of LGBT+ cinema from around the world, they collaborate to ensure the best in new and classic LGBT+ cinema can be seen across the Liverpool City Region and create chances to view films in a friendly, social setting. Their free programme kicks off with The Love Letterand Hey Google.Sit back and enjoy!
We heard it on the radio…
Liverpool based youth organisation Comics Youthare excited to announce the launch of Comics Youth Radio, a new online radio station designed to help young people (and maybe even some grown-ups) discover connection and community via the uplifting power of music and communication. The project has been made in response to how young people have been sharing music recommendations online to help each other navigate the often challenging new-normal of life in lockdown. Good vibes over here.
Stay safe club…
Comics Youth are delighted to announce the launch of their Stay Safe Club. To counter the pressures currently being faced by every young person, the club provides care packages created by youth, for youth to help children and young adults feel safe.Each pack contains products intended to help young people destress, find calm, get creative or simply have a little bit of fun. Packs can be requested by filling out a simple form via the Comics Youth website.
The future of culture & creativity…
As we emerge from the initial shock of the COVID-19 emergency, Darren Henley, CEO of Arts Council, shares his views of what come next for culture and creativity in England. Interesting read! Catch his blog here.
Building a future…
Unity Theatre Liverpool has unveiled its Building A Future programme in response to the immediate needs of artists during lockdown. Developed in conjunction with over thirty of these creatives from across Liverpool, the programme details how it will support and help artists develop and share their career skills, networks, and knowledge. To hear what they have to offer head over to their website.
New patron welcomed…
20 Stories High are proud to announce that Derry Girls’Jamie-Lee O’Donnell is to be their new patron. Joining poet Lemn Sissay, Jamie-Lee is the second-high profile name connecting with the company’s ways of working, and sharing an ambition to offer culturally diverse, working class young people creative opportunities. Read the full article here.
Time to get technical…
Digital Culture Network is partnering with arts, education and technology consultant, Julia Lawrence, for a one-hour webinar on Safeguarding. Covering risks, best practice and policies and procedures this is a must for anyone interacting and working with young people online. To find out more and to book your place, go to the Safeguarding Webinar event page.
The Arts Marketing Association have launched Digital Heritage Lab, a free programme for small and medium heritage organisations wanting to develop their digital capabilities and capacity. See what they can offer you here.
Google Arts & Culture have created a digital toolkit to help any and all cultural organisations continue their programmes online. Their informative presentation can be viewed here.
Good news from Milap…
Milap is back online with a new programme of exclusive performances, interactive sessions and education to keep you inspired and entertained at home! With a whole host of new activity to keep you connected to Indian Arts & Culture make sure you keep your calendar free. There’s a lot to look forward to!
New work to look forward to…
FACT have announced the 10 artists and artist groups who will receive grants of £1,500 each plus 3 months of support to create work from home as part of the FACT Together scheme. Each artist will create a new work that will respond to The Living Planet, the title of FACT’s online programme and theme for 2020. Ahead of the online launch in August 2020, you can find out more about the programme here.
Art is for exploring…
In its forty-first year, the National Portrait Gallery’shugely popular free summer exhibition is now available to explore on its website. Introducing the BP Portrait Award 2020. Explore the virtual gallery in all its glory and get lost in the beauty of the art.
Join curator Anna Jackson as she guides you through V&A’s Kimono: Kyoto To Catwalk Exhibition. Simply stunning.
Inclusive arts…
This week Bluecoatshare their Out Of The Blue arts project, which sees children aged 5 – 11 from the Norris Green, Anfield, Clubmoor and Granby areas of Liverpool work in the inclusive arts programme Blue Room, to explore their creative potential. The accompanying film, created with George Ellis, shows how they interrogate the building’s history and its hidden stories. Meet Larry the Liverbird, cherubs, ghosts and Bluecoat’s one-handed clock.
Collective Encounters…
Join Collective Encounters on 13 – 14 June for their virtual symposium Proximity: New Directions In Art & Social Repair, wherenetworks from across the UK and Atlantic will come together to discuss the role of socially engaged artistic practices at an important historic moment.To find out more about the programme topics, guest speakers and to register your interest follow this link.
Bank holiday vibes…
Liverpool’s Digital Music Festival is a direct response to the effect of COVID-19 on the Liverpool music scene. The festival which takes place over this Bank Holiday weekend, offers a platform for artists with a Liverpool connection to unite, access new audiences, and raise money for Liverpool NHS hospitals and grassroot music venues. You can see who is streaming when here. A virtual festival without a crowd in sight.
Join Bido Lito! for the fifth mix in their Africa Oyé series. With an absolute classic, DJ Scratchychased the clouds away with this Trenchtown set on the Sunday of Oyé 2019, keeping things bouncing with some heavy roots reggae and ska hits. Listen in here.
The amazingly talented LIMF Academyartists have finished their Lockdown Collaboseries. Now whilst we’re sad this innovative programme has come to an end, we’re delighted we can listen in on their tunes again and again here! Enjoy the good vibes and feel proud of the calibre of music our wonderful city continues to nurture.
Jennifer John reflects on her career in singing, the success of her recent Love Sings collaboration and the value of collective singing. Watch her video here and if you feel up to it, join in!
