None of us know what's happening. None of us know what's going to happen. Everything is changing and frankly it's terrifying.
And yet, amidst this chaos and uncertainty – both personal and professional – the caring, funny, creative and just downright excellent folks in the arts and cultural sector still find it within themselves to come up with stuff like this:
Theatr Clwyd
The team quickly pulled-together a load of detailed information about their COVID-19 response for their audience – including an ace video from Chief Executive Liam Evans-Ford, Artistic Director Tamara Harvey. And the very next day – here're those food parcels they talked about:
New Adventures
Such a well-worded, gentle but clear donation nudge from @New_Adventures:
"Some ticket holders are choosing to treat the value of their tickets as a donation to the theatre — where this is possible, it helps a great deal."
Traverse Theatre
Moving and morale-boosting stuff from Traverse up in Edinburgh as they announced they're shutting their doors for a while 💪
“One day, this strange time will become a story that Scotland’s playwrights and theatremakers will tell on our stages. And when they do, we hope you will join us to hear it.”
The Lyceum
Some of the most beautifully photographed – and witty – public information advice we've seen (thread). Strong work! 😂🙌
Thank you goes a long way …
The awesome folks at Sheffield Theatres (link to Facebook) and Chichester Festival Theatre took the time to thank audiences in the midst of a challenging-to-say-the-least week:
Eden Court
Led by the inimitable James Mackenzie-Blackman – Eden Court have teamed-up with the local council:
"… Eden Court staff will, over the coming days and weeks, be invited to support the delivery of Highland Council’s resilience response. Many Eden Court staff have specific and unique skills that could positively benefit the Highland community …"
Spektrix
Spektrix were lightning-fast, building and releasing a tool which converts ticket refunds into donations – and works with any system 🤓👏💚
Ticketsolve
Ticketsolve released the Ticket Exchange Tool which is already making a difference to the Ticketsolve community. (And bringing folks together 🤗)
CrowdEngage
Not only has CrowdEngage paused billing for all clients …
Meanwhile, at Ælvespeilet in Porsgrunn – and 130 other arts and cultural venues across Norway – they're lighting their stages with hearts, and sharing photos along with the message:
"While we wait… All cultural houses have lit a heart on stage. A symbol that soon artists, shifters, cleaners, technicians, ticket sellers and administrators will again fill cultural houses and scenes and audience halls. Take care of each other until we see you again."
They're also asking audiences to show support to Norwegian artists by sharing their cultural highlights with the hashtags #kulturihjertet #mensviventer
Translation – #cultureintheheart #whilewewait ❤️
Norwegian cultural venues are asking audiences to share their personal cultural highlights on social media as a show of support for artists
And this is by no means an exhaustive list. Warms the cockles 😍
Now wash your hands, stay safe - and check on your colleagues and neighbours.
