Never Wait.
KIM WIDE

This time, I am thinking about permission.  Artists have been waiting for commissions, waiting for a chance to make work again, waiting for organisations to be ‘commission ready’.  At the same time, the public are feeling excited for a change to lockdown but perhaps not able or confident to run right back into pubs, shops or cultural venues. 

This is where I feel that the time is really ripe and relevant for the artist. 

Prior to COVID, the hierarchical structure of culture was much more rigid.  As an artist you awaited in most part an opportunity of commission.  As a member of the public, you scanned the listings until something that was meaningful to you popped up.  Cultural organisations on the whole were arbiters of value and quality and selected what topics to amplify and explore when.  This is of course no slight on institutions of course, it was a response to wider trends.  

But COVID scrambled it all up. Things were changing much more rapidly.  Issues are more localised or challenge more specific areas or concerns. Contemporary as a phrase has never been more pertinent than in the last year.  

What I noticed, and has been noticed by the Turner Prize nominations, is that collective action and grassroots activism became more powerful than ever. And I applaud this from the very bottom of my heart.  When the communities we work with were in crisis, they knew to reach out to others - to collaborate.  To do when no one else was.  Collective action.  

I feel that artists and communities need to take collective action now.  To not wait anymore for invitations or permissions or commissions from cultural organisations.  To do because doing is the best way to be right now.  Gift and peer learn and crowdsource solutions.  

Never wait.

Our News
THE LATEST FROM US

High Street Cultural Programme
We're really excited that more than £100,000 has been awarded to Plymouth to help reimagine the city centre through community-led cultural activities and a ‘summer of culture on the high street’.

The money has been given to Plymouth Culture, the organisation which leads on cultural activity and supports the sector in the city and was awarded by Historic England as part of the Plymouth High Streets Heritage Action Zone (HSHAZ).

The cash grant will be used over three years – starting with a project this summer between Take a Part and KARST to co-commission and co-design artwork with professional artists and the skating community. A similar process will be used in year two to work with a different community.

We're really excited to be a part of this project and can't wait to get started.  You can read more about it here.

Well done to Katie!
Hugest well done and congratulations to our operations and communications manager Katie who received her Foundation Certificate from The National Council for the Training of Journalists last week.  We're incredibly proud of Katie and all her hard work and excited in the journalism skills and ideas that she keeps bringing to the team, well done!

Contributing to Solidarity in Action
We have been invited by University of the Arts London, to become part of Solidarity in Action an international network of researchers and creative practitioners and projects that will take an experimental and networked approach, interrogating how solidarity practice can continue both despite and because of Covid-19.

Using Mighty Networks, an online community platform, Solidarity in Action takes the idea of the “commons” online – building a resource that can be thought of as a solidarity practice in itself, co-curated by a community of users sharing their commitment to and experience of being agents of change. It will include presentations about your work; one-to-one conversations; open online discussions; peer feedback and support and potential podcasting.

This research will inform and culminate in a book, Museums and Solidarity in Action: From charity to active solidarity by Dr Bernadette Lynch (to be published by Routledge, New York, London) in early 2022 on how museums can learn from solidarity practice outside of museums, we'll share more as we have it!

Support for the sector
OPPORTUNITIES, SUPPORT AND NEWS THIS WEEK

Krowji Crowdfunder
Last week a fire broke out at Krowji, Cornwall's centre for art, in Redruth. Krowji is not just charity offices or a gallery but a living, breathing home to many artists and creative minds from all walks of life. Many of the tenants have lost artwork to not just the fire, but smoke and water too. Art is not something a simple small insurance check can solve, and many will have lost work that may have taken months if not years to produce, and would thus have now lost their livelihood.  A crowdfunder has been organised to support this important space, you can read more and support it here.

Artist Micro-commission: High View School/CECE and Take a Part
High View School, CECE and Take A Part have joined together to offer opportunity for an artist or collective of artists to deliver a Creative Education micro-commission that engages with a small group of KS1 pupils and responds to the themes of environment, patterns in nature, coasts, water, plants or islands.  This is a new and exciting micro-commission for High View who, as part of the CECE programme, have an opportunity to explore new ways of working with artists, developing creative responses to curriculum themes and forming new relationships.  High View would like to see proposals from artists which respond to the themes of environment, patterns in nature, coasts, water, plants or islands. Ideally the selected artist will work in a medium that is new to the school; the school is open to ideas and suggestions for ways of working that could fit well with the theme. Work should be appropriate for the age of the pupils.  You can read the full brief here.

Write Out Loud, LGBTQ+ Writers Project: Down Stage Write
Down Stage Write are looking for LGBTQ+ writers based in Devon and Cornwall who are interested in writing for performance.  From complete beginners to the more experienced, they want to work with writers to develop a piece of writing for performance.  The group of selected writers will meet workshop sessions to develop ideas and write in a supportive environment.  There will also be guest workshops and sessions with LGBTQ+ Artists and Historians.  Extracts of the writing created during the project will be performed by professional actors at Pride events in Plymouth and Cornwall in the summer.  Read more, to apply email info@downstagewrite.uk

Museums at Large opportunity for artists: RAMM
This autumn, RAMM is staging a public art project, with newly-commissioned artworks being presented across Exeter’s city centre. The project, Museum at Large, will provide exceptional opportunities for artists to develop and create new work inspired by RAMM's rich and diverse collections.  Through an open call and selection process, RAMM now want to find and commission three artists to make new work as part of the programme.  They are looking for impactful and engaging work that will connect audiences in Exeter with RAMM’s unique and important collections, bringing energy and animation to the city centre and firing the imaginations of a broad audience. While there are no limitations on form or medium, they are particularly interested in ideas that will enable the project to have significant impact and/or visibility during the evening (including after dark), as well as during the day.  For further information and the full brief follow this link.

Tom Jeffreys, Alex Hartley and Anne de Charmant in conversation: Meadow Arts/Hay Festival
As part of the Hay Festival , Meadow Arts presents this conversation reflecting on the history of Meadow arts who, for almost 20 years, has brought cutting-edge contemporary art to unexpected locations. A new book tells the story, from its birth in a Welsh Border wildflower meadow (hence the name) to its pioneering work in cathedrals and country houses, farms and forests, schools, libraries, museums and bookshops.  This online conversation will share aspects of this new book.  You can read about this event, and the wider Hay Festival, and book a place here.

Artist Opportunity, Site 20: Gingko Projects
Ginkgo Projects is seeking to commission an artist on behalf of Baylis Estates to research and create new permanent artwork. The work will occupy a green landscaped area which forms a pedestrian and wildlife corridor crossing the new mixed leisure and retail development at Site 20, Cribbs Causeway. Working in partnership with an environmental, community or academic organisation (as suited to the project) the artist will develop site specific work. Applications are welcome from artists interested in creative habitat enhancement, kinetic sculpture, recycled or sustainable projects, green energy and working with the whole site as a canvas (a wetland habitat and pedestrian route).  For the full brief follow this link.

Ideas Into Action, Improving how your community looks and works: POP
POP ideas is delivering a series of workshops based around the theme of "Getting Started Quicker & Better" to provide emerging groups and organisations with the learning resources, skills and support to have the greatest chance of making it happen.  This workshop will give participants the tools, guidance and support needed to develop a community idea.  It will be the first step in creating something your community can be proud of. The workshop will cover identifying community needs, finding funding  having time to Q&A with professional community advisers.  you will also be able to connect with like-minded people and understand the basics of forming a community group.  Click here for more info and booking.

Expression of Interest, Community Outreach Practitioner: Nornen Project
Nornen Project are looking for Expressions of Interest ahead of submitting funding applications. Applicants must have a base in Somerset or surrounding areas as they'll need to be able to reach Burnham-On-Sea for in-person meetings and rehearsals. Pre-production meetings will take place on Zoom where suitable.  The project are looking for an engaging and imaginative practitioner to oversee and deliver the community aspects for all ages, and take charge of the community cast rehearsals. Must have experience in delivering community performance workshops to a range of ages, abilities and backgrounds, in addition to directing.  Access/BSL will be embedded in the project, with community outreach activities taking place alongside the professional creative process, including devising workshops, history talks, R&D observations and a small element of community performers appearing alongside the professional cast in the final production.  You can read about the opportunity in more detail by following this link.

Online artist talk, Olga Koroleva: Cine Sisters South West and Exeter Phoenix
Hosted as part of the Cine Sisters SW Creative Hub Social Takeover, this talk by/with artist Olga Koroleva delve into and discuss her current practice.  Including a speculative multi-species storytelling project themed around the notion and practice of healing, a supernatural love story performance and video project with a scent narrative, a research project focused on recognition of more-than-human personhood and cetaceans, and an exploration of vegetal worlds and how plants can help visualise hidden disability, there will be plenty to discuss.  Follow this link to book.

Call Out for Artists film, video art, moving image: CREAK/Fish Factory Arts
CREAK/Fish Factory Arts are calling out for film, video art and moving image in the the theme of house/home/unhomely, in response to and as a reflection of the past year of lockdowns and the pandemic.  Ten films will be selected and screened as part of an evening of films and readings in June.  For further details, including how to apply, can be found here.

Artists: Creative Kids
Creative Kids are looking for new talented artists to visit their Arts Education Centre and Studios is Boscombe, Bournemouth. The aim is to bring artist together with local children in need to show their work and to inspire future budding artists by talking about their journey in becoming an artist and share some skills and techniques in their chosen art form.  Artists must create work that is age appropriate and suitable for children.  You can read more about the opportunity by following this link.

Call out for community reporters, Mudlarking: We Create
We Create have received funding from the National Lottery Community Fund to continue community newspaper Mudlarking.  Started by artist collective Paam, community members in St Peter's and St Paul's will now begin producing the paper under their own steam.  People who live and work in, or have a connection to the area, are being invited to get involved in putting the newspaper together.  You don't need any previous experience, just a little time available.  Email hello@we-create.org.uk to find out more.

Community Fridge Coordinator: Kintsugi Project/Leadworks
The Kintsugi Project and Leadworks are looking for a Community Fridge Coordinator that is passionate about building community connection and working with volunteers.  The Community Fridge co-ordinator role requires a proactive and vigilant individual with a passion for fair and connected communities and an interest in food redistribution.  They will have experience of working with volunteers, a good grasp of the local community and strong communication skills. The volunteer coordinator works with staff from Leadworks and the Kintsugi Project, and will link up with Plymouth Food Aid network, to ensure the smooth and safe running of the fridge, and that the fridge is used optimally in the local community, reaching those who need it most and receiving regular and valued contributions.  Email alice@kintsugiproject.org for more details and an application form.

In Conversation
CARE NEST

We've been talking with Care Nest facilitator Helen to learn more about the incentive and what started them on their journey.

May we care for ourselves

May we care for each other

May we care for this place

This is the tagline for the Care Nest, a safe and confidential care practice for adults that recently opened its doors inside The Plot on Union Street (an alternative shopping arcade guardianed by Nudge Community Builders). And I’m Helen, the Care Nest’s facilitator, providing one-to-one in-person sessions using a combination of practices in life coaching, mediation, mindfulness, and body-mind integration. The purpose of these sessions are to help support each client as they journey through a rediscovery of greater self-understanding and self-resourcing in maintaining their own care practices in the long-term. Before I share any more about the Care Nest, I’d like to tell you a little bit about how I got here...

                    

During these past 5 years, I’ve spent many dark nights of the soul deeply exploring what my own more meaningful contribution might look like, whilst undergoing facilitator training in mindfulness, mediation, restorative justice, somatics, and trauma-informed practices for both individuals and groups. The first main venture that emerged from these dark nights came in founding Being in Circle C.I.C. in Dec 2018, since which time our board of directors have generously volunteered their time and energy to keep this deeply valuable ‘group process in circle’ work moving forwards slowly and surely. Then the Care Nest emerged as the second venture, and my clearest answer to this personal enquiry.

At this time on our beautiful home of planet Earth, we as global citizens are surrounded by relentless acts of ‘harm being done to people and planet through the dominant practices that control, ignore, abuse, and oppress the human spirit’*. The type of trauma many of us are now experiencing on a daily basis as a direct result of these harms is currently being renamed as pervasive and persistent – it cuts us to the heart, and it’s non-stop. Grief, despair, anger, fear, exhaustion, frustration, loneliness – these are all becoming a part of our everyday lives. And we have a choice - that’s the good news - in how to meet these incredibly painful feelings, which is where the Care Nest comes in.                                      

Coming for a Care Nest session means stepping into a warm and cosy space that’s filled with blankets, pillows, and candles; in which you are invited to be seen, heard, and met as you are with kindness and compassion, whilst being supported to remain gently attentive and wisely responsive to your own needs and boundaries. At the heart of the practices offered in all Care Nest sessions lies a simple set of invitations – to slow down, to notice, to name, and to investigate. This journey is in no way an easy one – it takes courage, openness, honesty, and curiosity to fully meet who and how we are as humans. I know from direct experience of having walked this path myself. 

So in the words of Brene Brown, the Care Nest welcomes you to dare greatly ‘which means the courage to be vulnerable, it means to show up and be seen, to ask for what you need, to talk about how you’re feeling, to have the hard conversations’, and start your journey towards healing whilst resting in genuine care.

You can find out more about Care Nest by checking out their Facebook page here.  Or by getting in touch with Helen: helen@matterinmotion.co.uk