Access and diversity in the arts

New charity Metroland Cultures – set up to deliver Brent's year as London Borough of Culture and, crucially, its legacy beyond 2020 has established a Fund offering tangible financial support to the borough’s cultural and creative sector during the Covid-19 crisis.

The Metroland Cultures Fund was set up to help artists to stay creative through these challenging times, offering up to £1,000 funding to reflect, plan or develop their practice.

Disabled artists from across the UK are planning a day of action on social media to celebrate the depth and diversity of inclusive & disability art on Wednesday 17 June 2020. It will be led by artists sharing their artwork online (across all art forms), focussed on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook, using the hashtags #WeShallNotBeRemoved and #EndAbleism

What Next? brings people together from around the country to debate and shape the future of arts and culture in the UK. It supports over 30 chapters across the UK as creative agents for change, both locally and nationally. Following an eight month strategic review it now has a refreshed vision and set of goals which puts inclusivity and democracy at the heart of how it moves forward.

Social Enterprise to offer free event tickets for NHS staff, volunteers and frontline social care workers

 

National Theatre Wales and Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru are accepting new digital commissions from theatre-makers in Wales until Monday 18 May 2020 as part of their efforts to help make live theatre in digital spaces during the ongoing lockdown. The open call is part of National Theatre Wales's Network programme, which includes new work and projects.

Circus arts organisation Upswing is sharing resources on circus skills as a way to help you stay active during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. 

These resources range from solo circus for older people who are self-isolating, to activities for kids and the whole family.

Homemade Circus for Older People

Story Box Circus is an Upswing project delivered in care homes in Hull as part of Hull City of Culture in 2017.

Motion House on the 28th November held their first Nobody Open Rehearsal, giving their commissioners, venue partners and supporters a flavour of their new touring production.

Their brand-new multimedia dance-circus production, Nobody will premiere in August 2020. Fast-paced and packed with visual magic, Nobody takes audiences young and old on a fantastical and spellbinding journey using Motionhouse’s renowned dance-circus style.

Nobody Credits

National Theatre will stream a production every Thursday throughout April under their new National Theatre At Home programme.

Sadler's Wells presents a programme of full-length dance performances and workshops online, to keep you entertained and connected through dance, wherever you are in the world while its live stages are dark.

The programme launches on World Theatre Day, Friday 27 March, with an exclusive online screening of Deluxe by BalletBoyz at 7.30pm GMT available to watch on the Sadler's Wells Facebook page as the first in its weekly series of Sadler’s Wells Facebook Premieres.

Despite cultural organisations around the world closing their doors as a precaution to reduce the spread of coronavirus, access to history, art and culture is arguably now more important than ever, offering some much-needed respite during these anxious and uncertain times. From virtual tours and exhibitions to YouTube films and online audio guides, there are a number of ways to enjoy the architecture, interiors and collections at Waddesdon, the Rothschild House & Gardens in Buckinghamshire, from your home.