Welcome to the October newsletter. Today would normally be a frantic day for as folk prepare for Halloween events. Instead we are getting our heads round the new tier system and how this will impact on our work now, and in the months to come. And our hearts go out to all those organisations who have invested so much in opening up, only for those plans to be put on hold.
However, as the world settles into a new order, opportunities are beginning to spring up, and the newsletter is full of projects and companies that are embarking on new creative plans, and we can take heart at the courage and imagination shown.
Here at Articulation we are delighted to publish the Scottish Outdoor Arts Index which offers a snapshot a snapshot in time of artists making performance for the outdoors, arts professionals with capacity and skill to deliver outdoor programme as well as organisations actively seeking open air performance opportunities.
In the context of a post-pandemic Scotland, the street and outdoor arts sector are a vital lynchpin in encouraging people to experience art and performance again. Scotland has a thriving and diverse outdoor arts sector with the power to capture the imagination of a broad public that will act as a bridge to future attendance at venue/building based programmes.
This publication is designed to offer a snapshot in time of artists making performance for the outdoors, arts professionals with capacity and skill to deliver outdoor programme as well as organisations actively seeking open air performance opportunities. The intention is that it will act as a tool to connect artists, arts workers and presenting organisations looking to develop outdoor arts partnerships from Autumn 2020 to Autumn 2021.
Articulation: Scottish Outdoor Arts Sessions: Possibilities, Practicalities and Partnerships
Articulation delivered a series of information and networking sessions to connect Scotland based venues, local authority and third sector organisations with artists and freelancers working across the outdoor arts.
Over the three sessions, we explored the possibilities, practicalities and partnerships within the outdoor arts sector. The sessions were well attended and were presented by a wonderful range of speakers. The sessions were recorded and are now available to watch at the link below.
These sessions were funded by Creative Scotland and took place through August and September 2020.
Articulation are also inviting anyone who attended any of the Scottish Outdoor Arts Sessions: 1 Possibilities, 2 Practicalities or 3 Partnerships to fill in our evaluation. Articulation would really appreciate your feedback on these events and would love if you could spend a few minutes filling out our form which is linked below.
Your feedback will help us shape our future projects and activities.
The University of Glasgow's School of Psychology, in partnership with Aerial Edge, has conducted innovative research exploring the positive benefits of stress to improve mental health and well-being.
Stress is divided into two types – bad (distress) and good (eustress) and these were examined in students who took part in circus activity in Aerial Edge during the research conducted by Dr Chiara Horlin, from the universities School of Psychology.
So what should we conclude from this research? Why, that you all should be doing more circus activities, of course! And this is especially true right now, since Covid is causing so much stress in the world.
Far from being a mere written report of the webinar’s contents, the present resource should instead be seen as a tool for reflection, providing rich and original ideas for ways forward, to help us grow as professionals and individuals working in the circus and street arts sectors. It gives us an opportunity to explore deeper the topics of leadership, diversity/inclusivity and advocacy, tackled through the Lab, thanks to the brilliant contributions from the speakers, who invite us to question ourselves, our organisations and our sectors, and call us to listen, think and act.
In a nutshell, the publication includes:
Hilary Carty: "What do we need from cultural leaders in times of crisis?"
Vicki Amedume: "What is stopping from being fully representative sectors?"
Michael Hoart: "In this aftermath of this crisis, how will we need to advocate in order to sustain our organisations and our sectors?"
2 interviews from UK artists, sharing their views and experiences of these issues in their artistic practices:
Like other outdoor events, circuses were given two days’ notice that they could return, midway through their peak season. Performers and proprietors tell Douglas McPherson how they are battling to open up again while navigating the complexities of government guidelines on social distancing and audience safety.
As we ease out of lock down, a number of organisations within the creative sector have published detailed risk assessments for re-opening premises which can be used for guidance within your own work:
HSE have published thorough guidelines and a template for completing covid risk assessments.
Eventbrite have published the event safety playbook which is a short course which guides you through completing your own risk assessment.
OAUK has produced a guidance document for the Outdoor Arts sector.
This sector-specific advice is taken from OAUK’s current research and our sector survey, with input from artists, producers, production managers, festivals and companies working in the sector, as well as health and safety advisors.
It will never be an exhaustive guide and is intended to be an adaptable checklist to be implemented with a common-sense approach. In all your work you should reflect updates in current government policy and be sure to read other government and industry guidance.
Young Vic will be holding meetings on Zoom every other week on the following dates:
4th November
18th November
2nd December
16th December
If you an have idea for a session, have a question in advance for any of the speakers, or any access needs that can be accommodated for future meetings, then please do e-mail Lizzie on lizzie@culturallearningalliance.org.uk.
What Next? is the UK’s only free-to-access national movement. With chapters all over the country we bring together freelancers and small and large arts organisations to inform, debate and shape the future of the arts and culture.
Deadline for Registration: 12pm on the 11th November
Z-Crits is a project that seeks to support artists during lock down by providing an online space for them to connect, share work and reflect on the challenges of working at the current time. The next Z-Crit will take place on either Monday 23rd or Tuesday 24th November depending on the most popular time slot.
Hosted by Artquest and facilitated by Chloe Cooper, Elizabeth Murton and Sarah Rowles, Z-Crits will take the form of a series of online crits. These are stand-alone, informal and quick-fire crits that will take place on Zoom.
Sessions will introduce artists to each other and their work, giving experience of online crits, with the aim of enabling you to run your own ongoing online-crit groups. They are not forums for detailed feedback on practice.
Creative Entrepreneurs' Club:
Creative Chat for Theatre and Film
2pm on the 30th November
Join Writer and Artistic Director, Sandy Thomson, for a dedicated group discussion with theatre and filmmakers. These small participatory sessions are an opportunity for anyone generating their own work to share where it’s at, what’s happening with it (or not) or just to bounce ideas and current thoughts around a small group of supportive peers who are all there for encouragement, support and advice.
The purpose of this fund is to support organisations to take ownership of the distribution of funding to meet needs in their sector or locality through empowering freelance youth arts practitioners to deliver activity for the benefit of children and young people. In addition, the fund aims to strengthen and broaden organisations’ connections with these practitioners.
Creative Scotland are inviting applications from local authorities, arts organisations and third sector organisations to manage and distribute a small grants fund. Organisations applying do not need to have an arts focus but they do need to have a track record in supporting/delivering youth arts activity and the capacity to deliver a small grants fund.
Organisations may be eligible to also apply to the Youth Arts Access Fund; however, applicants will be required to make a strong case to evidence the need for additional funding.
This fund is an established strand of the annual YMI programme creating access to high-quality music-making for children and young people aged 0-25 years. This Access Fund builds on Access to Music Making to use the new Youth Arts Fund to support an increased range of music-making projects, as well as introducing projects which deliver across wider art form areas.
These funds will support artist led activity based in and out with school hours that aligns with the fund’s priorities.
Applications can come from organisations and individuals based in Scotland or who are delivering programmes within Scotland for the benefit of the people of Scotland.
Organisations already in receipt of Regular Funding from Creative Scotland can apply but should discuss their intention to apply with their lead officer in the first instance.
Creative Scotland: Hardship Fund for Creative Freelancers
This fund aims to support creative freelancers working in Scotland who are experiencing immediate financial hardship due to the loss of income as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The funds offer a one-off monetary contribution to those who are most deeply impacted and disadvantaged by the cancellation of work as a result of the emergency situation.
Creative Scotland strongly encourage people to fully consider their needs before making a request to this programme. Funds are finite and they expect a high level of demand.
Whilst there are no deadlines for this programme, the nature of this fund is that it will only remain open whilst budget remains available. Bursaries can be requested for any sum from £500 - £2000. If you have specific access needs, then you may request more than this.
All applicants must be based in Scotland and must be able to demonstrate they were working and making income as a freelance creative professional before lockdown began (in March 2020).
Creative Scotland: Open Fund: Sustaining
Creative Development
Creative Scotland is committed to ensuring that people are supported to develop excellence and experimentation in a wide range of arts and creative activity, reflecting Scotland’s diverse and dynamic cultures. Creative Scotland want to ensure that the experience of the arts and creative activity benefits as many people as possible across Scotland’s communities and places.
Creative Scotland launched their Open Fund in a difficult context. The disruption of COVID-19 is a situation without precedent. The creative sector is facing significant challenge.
This fund is designed to support artists to sustain their practise in a changing world.
Funding for Individuals: Freelance and self-employed artists and creative practitioners in Scotland can apply for projects supporting the development of their practice. You may apply for funding to work with others if your practice is collaborative.
Funding for Organisations: This fund is for organisations and groups based in Scotland whose work or project involves the arts, screen and creative industries.
Small charities and constituted community groups with innovative ideas that benefit their community can apply for funding of up to £50,000 for projects that build more connected, more resilient communities and give people the tools to become more financially independent.
In response to Covid-19, Aviva are temporarily opening up the Fund to projects that will ensure organisations can adapt or maintain critical services and infrastructure in response to the impacts of Covid-19.
Circostrada and ARTCENA, in partnership with FNAS – Federazione Nazionale delle Arti in Strada – are delighted to invite you to FRESH STREET#4 – International Seminar for the Development of Street Arts. The flagship event of Circostrada brings together professional artists, programmers, researchers, pedagogues, journalists, and policy makers from all over Europe and beyond for a key focus on street arts and creation in public space.
In 2020, FRESH STREET#4 invites you to reflect on the "Space In Between".
The physical distancing has created a breakdown in human and social relations, an emotional vacuum, whose effects we do not fully grasp yet. If this transitional period may be regarded as a chance for reconstruction, then arts in the public space have a key role to play in the cohesion processes and well-being of the communities.
This Space In Between gives us the opportunity to pause and investigate the social role of arts, take a step back to reflect on our practices, our professional and individual realities, before rushing to return to the “world as we knew it before”, without even so much as asking ourselves the question: what matters now?
This fourth edition will feature a rich programme combining discussions and reflections, thematic sessions, projects presentations, artistic pitches, and many other surprises that we will let you discover online!
This unique 3-day event brings together the UK’s finest creators, makers, leaders and innovators, at a time when we need it most, to reimagine, redefine and reignite our creative industries. Showcasing home-grown, world-class talent, Creative Coalition 2020 will be a blend of inspiring talks and panels, live performances, practical workshops and networking events - all streamed from venues across the country, directly to our audience at home.
With over 60 sessions across 6 stages and virtual spaces, you’ll hear from those forging ahead and shaping our futures, as well as those who built the foundations, with opportunities to meet and collaborate with people across the country. Creative Coalition 2020 offers the opportunity for real cross-sector networking using virtual venue software Hopin, with multiple interactive areas that are optimised for connecting and enabling people to meet each other.
A show about time, age and the stories we tell ourselves.
With a cast ranging in age from 11 to 60, This Time, uses the imagery of circus, autobiographical storytelling and original equipment design to create compelling visual theatre which looks at perceptions of strength and ability: how we are strong in different ways at different times in our lives.
Featuring a series of aerial frames which are raised from floor to ceiling the four performers lift, push and cradle each other through a world of windows, thresholds and ledges. Bodies are suspended high in the air and swung close to the ground in innovative new takes on trapeze and swinging cradle.
Alter Circus: Hysterical
Contemporary circus, dance, and performance are the backdrop for Hysterical’s bold account of how women bend to, bind, and battle society’s demand and expectations. Hysterical speaks to universal human needs and shines a light into the dark corners of the female experience. Presented at the New England Circus Arts (NECCA) in August 2018 in Brattleboro, VT.
Alter Circus is a feminist company, which uses contemporary circus, dance, and experimental performance as vehicles to challenge gender norms and celebrate the rebellious spirit, strength, and grace of women. Alter Circus rejects narrative structure as a primary humanizing device and uses the human body as text and feminism as the lens to explore power, gender, and sexuality.
The company's members include Jessica John, Megan Gendall, Katie Embser, Brynne Levy, Natalie Abell, Georgeanna Layton, and Tyler Jacobsen. Hysterical is directed by Jessica John, assistant directed by Althea Young, and choreographed by Jessica John and Althea Young. Additional choreographic assistance was provided by Stacey Carlson.
(Please note: the password to view the video is angrywoman)
All or Nothing are preparing for their new term of classes beginning in November!
Classes must be booked in advance and include Adults Aerial Classes, Young Aerialist Classes, Youth Performance Group as well as Zoom Conditioning Workouts!
Forget what you think you know about what it means to be a Clown. No Wigs. No Big Shoes. No Makeup. Just you, a small red nose and absolute freedom.
Acting Coach Scotland is proud to offer “Clowning for Actors” as a three day intensive course in-person at Acting Coach Scotland’s Studios in Govan.
This course aims to introduce the actor to the Rules of Clowning and the creation of a clown persona through limitless play. A sense of discovery and imagination are the actors most valuable tools and clowning allows the actor to connect with themselves and their audience with an abandonment of tension.
In this course you will discover how the clown faces failure and develops their IN and OUT personas through practical exercises led by Michael-Alan Read (MA-RCS, Shakespeare’s Globe,) with maximum effect to add another skill to your toolkit as an actor.
2-5pm on Monday 9th November, Wednesday 11th November AND Friday 13th November.
Following extensive research, The United Nations Board of Significant Inspiration has discovered multiple sources of inspiration in Glasgow and Dundee At The United Nations, they take this very seriously! That’s why they’re setting up shop in Scotland. We want to power that inspiration for the betterment of mankind. UNBOSI will be running a series of online research workshops and ask those interested in harnessing inspiration to get involved!
In November, UNBOSI will be running free, family-friendly workshops for participants to create their own marble runs and share these supercharged marbles with others to increase global levels of inspiration and in particular to send them to world leaders who may have lost their own marbles.
UNBOSI’s free, family-friendly Marble Run workshops will take place on: 7th, 14th, 21st and 22nd November.
Summerhall: Artist Development at Summerhall 2020/21
Deadline: 9th November
Summerhall have re-imagined their artist development programme in the light of the Covid-19 pandemic and associated public health restrictions.
This iteration of the programme comprises three Labs, offering artists time, space and money to develop new work, and six Space development weeks, offering artists in-kind space to develop new work. The programme is supported by Creative Scotland and BBC Arts.
The principles for the 2020/21
Localism & Sustainability
Equality & Diversity
New work for a new reality
Summerhall is now inviting proposals for the following:
Applications are now open for the Space/Time residency for experienced artists.
This online edition of Space/Time is aimed specifically at experienced artists who have at least seven years’ experience working within the arts (this does not need to have been continuous). The residency aims to refresh participants through a stimulating examination of creativity in this new way of working and living. During the residency, we will question how artists can continue to challenge themselves to develop and thrive while living through a global pandemic.
New female-led gig theatre project TEXT ME WHEN YOU GET HOME is seeking a Musical Director, Designer, Stage Manager and Photographer/Videographer for a two-week development period.
The show blends spoken word, theatre and music to explore female safety in Glasgow’s nightclub scene.
Development dates run from 07/12/20 - 18/12/20 (weekend excluded) in Glasgow; not all roles will be needed for the full duration.
If interested, please send a CV and short covering letter to: sirentheatre@outlook.com stating the role you are applying for in the subject line.
Sonified Body Call Out: Dancer Collaborator
Deadline: 2nd November
Artist and Creative Coder Tim Murray-Browne is seeking 2 solo dancers to participate independently in a 2-day research and development lab for his latest performance work Sonified Body.
Sonified Body is a research project using artificial intelligence to create an instrument that transforms the moving body into sound in real-time.
The project’s primary aim is to create a system that feels intuitive, and responds holistically and continuously to the entire body.
During this research and development lab a pilot technical system designed by Tim Murray-Browne in collaboration with artist and AI researcher Panagiotis Tigas will be set up that tracks the body using a camera to create an instrument controlled by movement. The purpose of this lab is to explore the potential of this technology both in terms of the experience of the person interacting with it and in terms of its artistic potential within a performance context.
Tramway are delighted to offer 6 financially supported residency opportunities to Scotland
based artists throughout Mid November 2020 – March 2020. Tramway Supports is a year-
round initiative that supports artists at all stages of their practice, working within contemporary performance.
The initiative aims to be responsive, tailoring support to the needs of individual
projects whilst offering a testing ground for artists to challenge the boundaries of their practice.
The residencies are intended as a laboratory for ideas and collaborations to be nurtured. In supporting the wider freelance arts ecology during this time we are looking for projects that involve not only contemporary performance and dance practitioners but that invite at least one other arts related freelancer into the process
Tramway: Artist/Creative Facilitator
5 Month Freelance Post
Deadline: 10am on the 13th November
Tramway is looking to work with an Artist/Creative Facilitator with a strong socially engaged
practice to aid the creation and delivery of our new artistic programme Tramway Beyond
Walls; a digital and outdoor programme involving contemporary performance, visual art and
creative participation.
This role will involve collaborating with Tramway's Community Architects initiative; a panel of local artists and residents that will work together to co-curate this dynamic season of work that seeks to engage with a diverse local audience outside of the physical limits of our building. Tramway are hoping to attract applications from passionate and motivated artists that would like to work within our community. Candidates should have a proven track record of a socially engaged practice and have at least 3 years of experience on projects related to contemporary performance, dance or performance related visual art practices.
The University of Edinburgh: Visiting Artist Fellowship 2021
Deadline: 13th November
The University of Edinburgh are seeking expressions of interest for the first round of their Visiting Artist Fellowship programme
These fellowships will bring artists and creative practitioners who want to engage in social and ethical aspects of health and medicine into the vibrant community of social science and humanities researchers addressing a range of topics relevant to medicine, health and society.
This first round of the Visiting Arts Fellowship programme focuses on performance arts. The Fellowship will be a yearly programme and the next two rounds, and their artistic focus, will be announced in due course.
The Fellowship offers up to £20,000 alongside expertise and support to work on a project with a societal and health-related dimension.
The programme, where 20 creative people from Edinburgh and the surrounding areas are invited to join The Lyceum for a year, was announced at the beginning of the year but implementation was delayed as the Covid 19 restrictions forced The Lyceum to rethink its creative programme.
The programme is for all kinds of theatre artists including, but not limited to, writers, directors, choreographers, composers, creative producers, designers, digital creatives, and more. Core activities offered to the L20 will include shadowing placement on a Lyceum project, for which they will receive a £1,000 bursary; quarterly Saturday workshops that focus on bespoke skills development; one-to-one advice and support sessions with Artistic Director, Associate Directors, Producer, Literary Associate; invitation to join Lyceum readings, workshops, and rehearsals where appropriate; opportunity for access to Lyceum staff able to advise on specific areas, such as press, communication, marketing, fundraising, production, and creative learning.
The L20 programme aims to put the artists at the heart of the programme, with additional bespoke opportunities crafted and offered as and when possibility arises.
The Online Clown Academy is delighted to present the Clowns In Crisis Conference, 6 - 8 November 2020.
How Can Clowning Help You and How Can Clowns Help Others In Times Of Crisis?
Clowns have left the circus ring and spilled out into many different environments. These days you'll find clowns in hospitals, offering comfort and release to poorly children and their families, you'll find them in areas of recovery from war and natural disaster, offering laughter and play, you'll find them in dementia care settings, offering gentle connection and you'll find them on the streets, protesting.
Clowns appear throughout history and across cultures, as the fool, the buffoon, the idiot that speaks truth to power. It is from this unique position in society that the clown can critique and disrupt the status quo. The form allows us to explore political, social and environmental issues through play, parody and humour while releasing subversive powers within each individual.
As clown teachers, we're increasingly finding people coming to our workshops not because they want to be clowns, but because the clown archetype offers lightness, release, play, connection and a completely different way of viewing the world.
The Clowns In Crisis Conference offers opportunity to explore the personal and political applications of clowning.
NOW is a new platform for artists to showcase and share their work which was created during Covid-19. NOW follows artistic journeys as they adapt their practise and respond to the global pandemic.
Wraptheworld welcomes updates from artists.
Email neil@neilbutler.org with 50 words on your project, 50 words on you and a link to the work.
Tramway is looking to work with an Artist/Creative Facilitator to aid the creation and delivery of their new artistic programme Tramway Beyond Walls; a digital and outdoor programme involving contemporary performance, visual art and creative participation.
This role will involve collaborating with their Community Architects initiative; a panel of local artists and residents that will work together to co-curate this dynamic season of work outside of the physical limits of Tramway's building.
DURATION: This project will run from December 2020 to April 2021, with a focus on public facing delivery across February and March 2021.
Cirque Bijou, along with the rest of the arts and entertainment industry, have been radically affected by Covid 19.
After months of no work Cirque Bijou decided to put on their own performance: highlighting the plight of the events industry, honouring our love for the arts and the NHS, and showing that performances and events can be done amid this pandemic - adhering to social distancing rules and following government guidelines.
To all our arts and events colleagues and friends - we stand with you, umbrellas in hand.
Call Out to Artists and Makers, groups and organisations involved with Circus, Street Arts, Physical Theatre - let us and others know about your work. Take your place in Articulation’s Directory on the Website by sending your information to info@articulationarts.org
