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Storytelling PR

Eleanor Bally

Transform Scotland: New report shows business should be front and centre in creating Car Free City Centres

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Photo courtesy of Oslo Kommune

Transform Scotland has today (June 10) published a new report titled ‘Open for Business – Gaining business support for transforming city centres’. Using an analysis of Oslo’s Bilfritt Byliv – Car Free City Life scheme – the report shows that transforming city centres into areas that prioritise pedestrians, cyclists and public transport brings social, environmental and economic benefits to city centres. Civic space is good news for local business. Now is the time for Scotland to take bold steps forward in reimagining public space. 

With high street businesses already in decline and facing the devastating effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, it is more important than ever that we invest in our city centres and put local businesses front and centre as we work to transform our city centres. Open for Business identifies a series of recommendations for gaining business support for car-free city centres (CCFCs).

Oslo’s population of 650,000 is a scalable example of how car-free interventions could work in Glasgow (590,507). Scotland can learn from our friends in Europe, with even more scalable examples across the continent: Bremen, Germany; Lund, Sweden and Enschede, Netherlands. 

The Scottish Government’s Climate Change Plan 2020 included a remarkable commitment to reduce car mileage by 20% by 2030. While car traffic is no longer rising very quickly nationwide, few internationally are delivering traffic reduction, and certainly not across a whole country. Car-free city centres would bring immediate change on this level, and the commitment of city centre business will be crucial in making these steps. 

Scotland’s Local Authorities must work closely with their business stakeholders to rejuvenate our city centres, reducing pollution and congestion. These changes will bring social and economic improvements and encourage people to spend time in their city centres and make positive use of public space. Design of car-free city centres that better meet the needs of local businesses can deliver wider benefits both in reducing the number of cars in our cities, and for the communities within those cities as a whole. 

Jamie Wylie, author of the report and spokesperson for Transform Scotland said:

“The devastating effects of the Covid-19 pandemic faced by businesses have shown more than ever that we must transform our city centres. The Open for Business report shows that car-free city centres bring positive change to our local businesses. Scotland can learn from our friends in Europe how to design and deliver car-free city centres to best meet the needs of our businesses, which will bring wider benefit not just to the environment, to the businesses themselves but to our communities as well.” 

John Lauder, Deputy CEO of Sustrans, said: 

“Now is the time for local authorities in Scotland to make bold decisions to deliver cities that prioritise people over vehicles. This could also include changes to transport logistics for businesses, such as the integration of cargo bikes for last-mile deliveries.”

Clare Reid, Director of Policy and Public Affairs of the Scottish Council for Development and Industry (SCDI), said: 

“Cities around the world are making plans for the path to net zero carbon emissions. Transport and business will be central to the success of this. This research shows that creating cities designed around people not only makes sense socially and environmentally, but economically too.”

The report is available at <https://transform.scot/wp/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Open-for-Business-report-Transform-Scotland-June-2021.pdf>.

ENDS

Transform Scotland

Homepage

Twitter: @TransfomScot

Facebook: @transformscotland

LinkedIn: Transform Scotland

For media enquiries please contact:

Miriam Attwood, miriam@storytellingpr.com

Emma Ainley-Walker, emmaaw@storytellingpr.com

Photos and image credits for Osolo Kommune: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1UpLy1FgD0KSxRo7oiLpKrVuBwDOAgWsI?usp=sharing

Images from Glasgow to be made available mid-afternoon, Thursday 10 June. 

Notes To Editors 

[1] Transform Scotland

Transform Scotland is the national alliance for sustainable transport, bringing together organisations from the private, public and voluntary sectors. See <http://transformscotland.org.uk/who-we-are/our-members/> for details.

[2] ‘Open for Business’ report

The report is available for download from <https://transform.scot/wp/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Open-for-Business-report-Transform-Scotland-June-2021.pdf>.

[3] Reference – Scot Gov Securing Green Recovery https://www.gov.scot/publications/securing-green-recovery-path-net-zero-update-climate-change-plan-20182032/pages/9/ 

[1] https://www.usp.scot/Browse/LocalAuthority

[2] https://www.oslo.kommune.no/politics-and-administration/politics/about-oslo/#gref

[3] https://www.statistik.bremen.de/publikationen/bremen_in_zahlen-2056

[4] https://www.wfb-bremen.de/en/page/bremen-invest/germanys-greenest-city

[5] https://www.scb.se/en/finding-statistics/statistics-by-subject-area/population/population-composition/population-statistics/pong/tables-and-graphs/yearly-statistics–municipalities-counties-and-the-whole-country/population-in-the-country-counties-and-municipalities-on-31-december-2020-and-population-change-in-2020/

[6] https://www.visit-enschede.com/about-enschede/history-of-enschede[1] https://www.weinheim.de/startseite/stadtthemen/daten+_+zahlen+_+fakten.html

Culture Collective – a network of community-rooted creative projects – announces its Programme Lead Team

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Today, the Culture Collective – a network of community-rooted creative projects funded by Creative Scotland – announces its Programme Lead Team. The team, headed by Kathryn Welch, will connect, support and champion a network of 26 participatory creative projects across Scotland over the coming 18 months. 

The Programme Lead team will take a collaborative approach – supporting the network as they explore new ways of working; creating employment opportunities for creative practitioners; sharing knowledge and learning; and championing what works to inform the future of support for community-rooted creative activity.

Programme Lead Kathryn Welch is a freelance practitioner passionate about championing communities, building connections in unlikely places, and celebrating creativity. Kathryn brings experience from over a decade in senior roles across the Scottish charity and arts sectors (most recently as Director of Voluntary Arts Scotland and Operations Director at Macrobert Arts Centre), specialising in community development, strategic planning, social impact and organisational sustainability. Kathryn will work alongside a team of creative experts who make up the Programme Lead team:

  • Lou Brodie – applied artist, performance maker and project manager – will oversee the management of a series of Culture Collective events. Events will support learning and development for the network, and share insight to the programme with a national and international audience.
  • Improbable – pioneering improvisers, theatre makers and conversation facilitators – will host a series of Open Space events for the network. 
  • François Matarasso – community artist, writer, researcher and consultant – will support the project team as mentor and ‘project caretaker’.
  • Storytelling PR – specialists in publicity, consultancy and advocacy for culture and activism – will lead on all elements of communications and PR for the Culture Collective. This includes supporting the network and articulating the learning, impact and future potential of the project.

Programme Lead Kathryn Welch commented: 

“It’s an absolute pleasure to be appointed Programme Lead for the Culture Collective, and to work with a fantastic team to support this network of 26 phenomenal projects. I’m excited to explore how we can learn from one another, share our practice and develop a thriving space of peer support – to help these projects be all they might be over the coming 18 months. At the same time, we’ll be working together to share the learning, impact and potential of these types of projects beyond the network – supporting others in the development of community-rooted creative activity, and advocating for this type of work as a vital part of our communities and creative sector”.

Karen Dick, Creative Scotland’s Interim Head of Place, Partnerships & Communities said:

“We are very pleased to introduce Kathryn Welch and her team as the Programme Lead team for the Culture Collective programme. The 26 Culture Collective projects have already started work, with organisations providing lots of different opportunities for the cultural sector and for communities. We are really excited to have Kathryn and the team in place to support the further development of the network, and the Culture Collective programme.“

Caitlin Skinner, Stellar Quines Artistic Director and CEO added: 

“As part of this large network of Scottish culture organisations – it has already been promising to plan for 18 months of creativity in communities – especially being able to look forward, after an acutely difficult time. Coming together with our peers in the network will enable us to share learnings, challenges and achievements as we embark on our journey to co-create projects with participants. Engagement is becoming ever more at the heart of our work, and this project in particular is part of a long term ambition for the Quines. Backing that up with funding and a dedicated project lead team is really heartening for our entire team”

Over the coming 18 months, the Programme Lead team will deliver a series of events to support the network and connect with communities and stakeholders across Scotland and internationally. They will coordinate training and developmental support for the network, and work with an external evaluation team to understand and share the impact of working in, with, and for communities. 

For further information and to follow updates, please join the mailing list, and follow the Culture Collective Twitter account, which launches today at @CultureColSco.

/Ends/

Media Contact: Miriam Attwood miriam@storytellingpr.com

Notes to Editors:

COVID-19 has had a significant impact on the creative sector and cultural life of communities.  Culture Collective has developed as a response – to explore the role of artists, organisations and communities in working together to create a positive difference locally and nationally. 

Through Creative Scotland, the Culture Collective Fund awarded £6 million of Scottish Government emergency COVID-19 funds to 26 organisations in February 2021. 

Creative Scotland is the public body that supports the arts, screen and creative industries across all parts of Scotland on behalf of everyone who lives, works or visits here. We distribute funding provided by the Scottish Government and The National Lottery. Further information at creativescotland.com. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

The recruitment of the Programme Lead was made by Creative Scotland through an open tender process on Public Contracts Scotland, and advertised on the Creative Scotland Opportunities site and social media.

Recruitment to the projects funded through the Culture Collective Fund is now well underway – with opportunities currently advertised. Opportunities continue to be advertised regularly across the network so please continue to check back to this list, opportunities will also be shared via @culturecolsco.

Full networks funding awards and scope across Scotland can be found here: https://www.creativescotland.com/what-we-do/latest-news/archive/2021/02/culture-collective-recipients

Dumfries and Galloway Arts Festival unveils its 2021 summer programme

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Love Letters at Home – credit Jonathan Bewley

Scotland’s largest rural performing arts festival returns with an outdoor and online performance programme celebrating the people and creativity of Dumfries and Galloway from 16 – 25 July.   

Combining an outdoor travelling stage, pop up performances in unexpected locations and a digital programme packed with world class artists – Dumfries and Galloway Arts Festival – based in South West of Scotland – returns in brand new form for over ten days this July. With 60 events blending music, theatre, dance, comedy and spoken word, the lineup has been specially curated with in person and at home entertainment in mind. 

The 42nd programme – centred around the theme Hame’ll Dae Me – is a tribute to the burgeoning artists and world class performers of the region and a celebration of the diverse culture found across Dumfries and Galloway. Every event is made by, featuring or directly engaged with artists and audiences from the area. 

The programme includes a live stand up set from comedian Mark Nelson, a new album showcase from Smith & McClennan, a celebration of European music from The Firelight Trio, and a sneak peek into the exciting world of emerging five piece band, The Lucky Doves. 

Melanie Purdie, Dumfries and Galloway Arts Festival’s new strategic and creative director came into the role in March of this year. Inheriting some of the 2020 programme cancelled due to Covid-19, she is both welcoming back and presenting new artists through a unique programme specific to the times in which we’re living, giving the region a voice on a national and international platform.

“We are proud to welcome you to join us for a refreshed programme that places artists and audiences from the region first and foremost. We paused, we reflected and reimagined a Festival that sits at the heart of communities across the area. We have envisioned the future of the Festival and what we would like to see in our changed world. Hame’ll Dae Me celebrates and promotes world class artists from across Dumfries and Galloway and connects you with nationally renowned performing arts companies. We are bringing you a safe, secure, and engaging programme to experience locally, or from the comfort of your own home. Enjoy!”

The ten-day festival will be presented in three new strands this summer: 

D&G Arts Festival at Hame

Smith & McClennan

For the very first time the Festival will extend its reach beyond the  local area  and into people’s homes across the country with a digital line-up made for online viewing. The programme includes: 

A series of live performances streaming from Theatre Royal in Dumfries featuring award-winning Scottish singer Emily Smith and New Zealand born multi-instrumentalist Jamie McClennan aka Smith & McClennan who will showcase their album ‘Small Town Stories’ with an uplifting performance; emerging five piece Scottish band The Lucky Doves welcome audiences into their world – with a Pogues meets The Waterboys slick sound; The Firelight Trio’s Gavin Marwick, Ruth Morris and Phil Alexander play European folk music creating a rich tapestry of lively Swedish polskas, lilting French waltzes and klezmer; and multi award winning stand-up comedian, Mark Nelson will keep audiences laughing with his hilarious, intelligent and no-holds-barred live show.

The Scottish Ensemble presents BREATHE: Music and your Mind – a live online performance combining their trademark music for strings with reflections from an expert on how we can all use music in our daily lives to feel better; Paragon Music presents a selection of stunning new pieces created and performed by emerging artists on their inclusive Resonate programme; and Uninvited Guests and Fuel presents Love Letters at Home – a night of song dedications and the stories attached to them with declarations of love, past and present. 

In theatre, following a successful virtual tour of Scotland last month, Helen Milne Productions’ Distance Remaining shares the story of three lost souls making a break for freedom, but its April 2020 and no journey is as simple as A to B; and Vanishing Point and Brite Theater present Deliverance – a show delivered straight to your door – this is a performance by you, about you.  

Bare Boards and a passion presents Weavers of Grass – a multi-media performance with award winning poet Chrys Salt and acclaimed harper Wendy Stewart exploring the creative process, human frailty and ancient traditions;  and Carolyn Yates presents Gaze – a creative response to photographer Kim Ayres’ nude portraits of women over 50 with actors Sheila Grier, Kirsty Miller and Linda Duncan McLaughlin; andDrew Taylor, dramaturg and director.  

The Talking Horse

Catriona McGhie

In partnership with local theatre company, Townsend Theatre Productions, the Talking Horse is a completely mobile, outdoor venue that will tour through the heart of Dumfries and Galloway – including Annan on 17 July, Stranraer on 18 July, Dumfries on 24 July and Castle Douglas on 25 July – hosting artists from each community on its travelling stage. Each event day will present four live performances for audiences to enjoy with a varied line-up celebrating local artists including: 

Two young trad musicians Rose Byers – an award winning singer and Catriona McGhie – who released her first album Oran to great acclaim – perform a one off show; Catriona will also perform alongside Jodie Rae – an emerging musician featuring as part of the Festival’s young commissions project. 

Stalwarts of the trad music scene Claire Mann and Aaron Jones have worked with the finest musicians in the business appearing on over 100 recordings. They will perform an exclusive gig of their own critically acclaimed work; and Dumfries based musician and singer Bob Hollis, who rose to stardom fronting Ska band More From Jim, will perform an eclectic mix of song putting his vocal prowess on display. 

Kate Kyle – shortlisted for the BBC Scotland Singer / Songwriter 2019 performs her strong, soulful country vocals and Sarah Law will follow with a relaxing set inspired by Caerlaverock Castle and the surrounding wildlife. Kate will also perform an exclusive solo show; and The Ramblin’ Hedgepigs trio – Nicola Black, Amanda and Blackie blend their sound of folk, Americana and a touch of jazz for a set of home brewed songs.

A musician shaped by the culture and people of the region Liam ‘Rusty’ Russell is one third of the band North Atlas. Liam will perform an exclusive solo performance followed by a performance from Chelsie Nash of her one-woman comedy show, blending spoken word and theatre; and Scotland’s Young Magician of the Year Brandon Barrett demonstrates his comedic mind reading with a show that will make you question if it’s a trick or if he’s controlling your thoughts. 

Buskers & Fox and Hound in association with Annan Harbour present Lot 52 and Sea Shanties – a new play by Vivien Jones and directed by award winning director, Ken Gouge which follows the story of a family leaving Annan Harbour in 1775 to sail to Nova Scotia in search of a better life – a story of resilience and fortitude that resonates with modern-day mass emigration.  Townsend Theatre Productions present The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists – an enduring and entertaining classic story of Edwardian painters and decorators by Robert Tressell, tells of their struggle for survival brought to life by actor Neil Gore. 

Pop Up Performances 

Oceanallover Ecdysis (In Vivo) at the NCCD Sleaford

Local artists will pop-up across Dumfries and Galloway, appearing in many unique and exciting locations such as town centres,  beautiful gardens, monuments, and art centres. Featuring Oceanallover, Cultured Mongrel and the young people from Stage iT, audiences can find 18 music, dance and theatre performances happening throughout the festival.  Locals can follow the festival on social media to find out where they can be spotted each day throughout the festival. They will also be livestreamed through Facebook and Instagram. 

Stage iT is a  project run by young people, for young people as part of the Dumfries & Galloway Arts Festival that returns in 2021. Working with young people aged 14 – 26, they are supported to take ownership of staging events in the region, curating their own programme and providing them with opportunities for training, mentorship and creating the foundations for a career within the performing arts industry. The Stage iT programme is overseen by the Young Promoters Group (YPG) with 11 events peppered throughout the live and digital programme. 

Whether you’re in Dumfries and Galloway or exploring the programme from afar, there is something for everyone in this love letter to one of Scotland’s artistic hotspots. 

For the full programme, visit dgartsfestival.org.uk. 

Listing information 

Dates: 16 – 25 July 

Tickets: dgartsfestival.org.uk

Livestream performances at Theatre Royal, Dumfries: 

Ticket Price: £10 Under 26 Half Price Tickets Available 

D&G Arts Festival at Hame: 

Pay What You Can 

Talking Horse: Ticket Price: 

£5 Under 26 Half Price Tickets Available Two Adult Tickets, Same Show: £8 

Under 26 Discount: 

If you are under 26, you can claim half price tickets on all Talking Horse and live in person Theatre Royal events during the Festival, supported by The Holywood Trust. 

@dgartsfest

#dgartsfest / #hamelldaeme

dgartsfestival.org.uk

Media Contacts 

For local press enquiries contact Emma Porteous at Dumfries and Galloway Arts Festival: 

Emma Porteous – press@dgartsfestival.org.uk 

For national press enquiries contact Storytelling PR: 

Emma Costello – emma@storytellingpr.com

Notes to editors. 

We gratefully acknowledge the support of our funders, sponsors and supporters. We rely on the generosity of our funders, sponsors, members, patrons and donors to continue our work creating a future for performing arts in Dumfries & Galloway. Visit our website for more details on how to support our work or become a member: www.dgartsfestival.org.uk/support-our-festival

Dumfries & Galloway Arts Festival is funded by Creative Scotland, The Holywood Trust, Barfil Charitable Trust, ANCBC, William Grant Foundation, Dumfries & Galloway Council and Event Scotland.

The Festival is supported and sponsored by Magnox, Alive, Dumfries & Galloway Live, OGWND.com, Alba, The People’s Project, The Crichton Trust, Austin Friars, Visit Scotland, Clear as a Bell and the Open University.

Accessibility 

We are a small organisation, committed to making our Festival as accessible as possible. All our events for the D&G Arts Festival at Hame are captioned. For all Talking Horse and Theatre Royal live events, you can request a BSL interpreter by emailing us directly before Friday 9th July. Our live events are wheelchair accessible. At the Talking Horse, wheelchairs will need to be mobile on grass areas close to paved roads. You can make BSL requests and find out more detail about Festival access by emailing us at: info@dgartsfestival.org.uk OR visit our website: www.dgartsfestival.org.uk/accessibility

Covid safety measures 

We take the safety of our audiences, artists, staff and communities very seriously. After a long, hard period of lockdown, it is extremely important to us that we produce a programme of events that you can enjoy at the Festival within a safe and secure environment. Our team has created detailed risk assessments and formulated plans for each event that places your safety first. Keep an eye on our website and social media channels for our safety videos, which provide more information on all the precautions we have taken at each event. We hope you enjoy our outdoor and live events. For ease of mind, if you would like more information, or a copy of our risk assessments, please contact: info@dgartsfestival.org.uk

About Dumfries and Galloway Arts Festival 

Dumfries & Galloway Arts Festival supports people in some of the region’s most rural areas to experience world class performing arts.

Bringing the best local and national artists to communities; investing in performing artists; introducing young people to live performance and engaging people of all ages, from all walks of life, with an imaginative programme.

Scotland’s leading festival of arts and ecology is back this June as UNFIX announces 2021 lineup

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Tickets on sale now

UNFIX is back next month with a three week virtual lineup of international events combining art, ritual, dance, film, music, debate, and workshops from 11 – 27 June.

The innovative festival investigating ecological crisis and renewal through the lens of social, cultural, political, environmental and personal transformation will return for its sixth edition – this year in a digital format, providing an online and accessible platform for audiences and artists alike. 

UNFIX Festival started in Glasgow in 2015 and now has sister events in New York City, Tokyo and Bologna. For the very first time, all four cities will synchronise their programmes online allowing an international sharing of works all responding to what the human impact and forced human narrative upon the planet and entire natural world means for us right now. 

Though the lockdowns and digital isolation of the past year have been challenging, UNFIX is leaning into the opportunity they present: the 2021 programme will bring together artists from the UK, United States, Italy, Japan, Germany, Mexico and beyond in ways that could never happen in one physical place. The festival will offer an online dreamspace for creating imaginal solidarity between communities across the world as we face the ‘new normal’ and the restarting of the machine after COVID.

The programme will explore the human relationship to the natural world and how it has changed throughout the pandemic, living within the anthropocene, shedding of skin and letting go of his-tory, revival and rebirth. Artists will celebrate our physical environment, find joy after grief, and call audiences to action to stand up to the climate crisis.

Among the first names to be announced – Scottish and UK artists include:

Interdisciplinary artist Clarinda Tse who works with tactility, the body and another-than human lifeforms and objects, invites viewers to explore the daily magic in Bubbling in Thick Time; multidisciplinary psychic worker and artist Bea Xu presents Bloodsport < The Island – a live online action role playing game set at a world-building temple in a post-extractivist solarpunk future; and with a vast body of work inspired by the natural and cultural ecology of Scotland’s wild places, Dougie Strang invites audiences to participate in a daily practice titled Still Find Joy and hosts a special book launch event, Dispatches from the Dark Mountain.

Edinburgh based artist and cultural geographer, Iryna Zamuruieva will convene a pig mourning ceremony for the 100 million pigs that have lost their lives because of the African Swine Fever (ASF) pandemic; and Carrie Fertig, recipient of the UNFIX festival residency at The Barn in Aberdeen presents Plummet – a thousand piece glass icicle installation and sound performance tolling end times to radically alter our impact, waste, and behaviour.

A snapshot of international names featuring include:

Renowned Japanese Butoh dancer and choreographer Atsushi Takenouchi questions the boundaries between our bodies and our environment, performing Skin from his home in Italy;  Chicago’s Degenerate Art Ensemble, known for large-scale dance and theatre projects present their online work The Invitation – a meditation on the human relationship to the natural world, to Animist practices, and our connection to Mother Earth; and Before Bed – an intimate experimental reading collective located in Sydney, Australia founded by interdisciplinary artist, Audrey Newton will host a shared, interconnected, and comfortable reading and listening experience.

The programme will also welcome returning artists last seen at UNFIX in 2019 including:

Transfeminist artist Niya B engages with her own internalised toxicity and the elements of water and air in a ritual of shedding skin and letting go in Ekdysis; VIDIV, a collaboration of Glasgow based sound and performance artists (Desalvo, Aereogramme, Sons & Daughters) reflect on human mortality and social morbidity using electronic harsh noise; and sound artist and musician Ruaridh Law presents A Sea of Cogs –  a series of short films focussing on those who have lost work during the pandemic, the link between work and identity, and hopes for the future.

UNFIX Director,  Paul Michael Henry, said: “How humans organise themselves, and the ways of life we strive for, begin in our imagination.  Capitalism and our treatment of the planet as a resource started out as ideas, and it’s now obvious that they are inadequate and point towards climate change and disaster.  The arts and communal exploration through culture offer vital ways to dream otherwise, and to imagine a different future. UNFIX aims to provide a melting pot for work concerned with ecological crisis, climate change, hyper-capitalism and all the things that might help to address them: love, care, imagination, joy and dissent.”

UNFIX exists to help us feel deeply and viscerally into the biggest issues shaping our lives, and puts it to you that Climate Change and ecological crisis are happening inside your body, RIGHT NOW.

The Festival takes place from 11-27 June. For the full lineup of artists and to buy a festival pass, visit unfixfestival.com. The full programme schedule will be announced later this month.

Supported by Creative Scotland, the Barn and the Centre for Contemporary Arts (CCA). 

Press contact:

Emma Costello emma@storytellingpr.com

Emma Ainley-Walker emmaaw@storytellingpr.com

Notes to editors.

Festival passes are available to purchase on a sliding scale to ensure our events stay as accessible as possible. This is made possible by having different tiers of tickets, and support we receive from grant funding.

We have four tiers of festival passes and encourage you to buy the ticket most representative of your financial situation – this is an honesty based policy so please use your own discretion. As always we, the festival organisers, are working within financial constraints so please pay what you can afford to support our festival, artists and staff members!

Unwaged Festival Pass – Free
I am unemployed and struggle to meet my basic needs

Low Income Festival Pass – £10
I have trouble meeting my basic needs regularly

General Festival Pass – £15
I regularly meet me needs and am somewhat comfortable
Solidarity Festival Pass – £25
I have surplus disposable income and want to pay in forward

High Income Festival Pass – £40
I have excess disposable income and want to pay it forward by contributing to the running of UNFIX Festival

Full Festival Lineup

Alex Popa – Consider This Unhappy Wretch

April Lin – R: Rest

Atsushi Takenouche – SKIN

Audrey Newton and Fiona Davies – Before Bed

Bea Xu – Bloodsport < The Island

Bibo & Brian Keeley – BREATHE

Carmen Berbel Lapaz – “It was the soundest pile of unwantedness that I knew”

Carrie Fertig – Plummet

Caterina Moroni – Bloom & Doom

Clarinda Tse – Bubbling in Thick Time: farmer, shower, consumables, strainer, microcosms, stillness

Crab Bee – Accessing Genii Loci: Personalities of Place

Degenerate Art Ensemble – The Invitation

Dominique Baron-Bonarjee – Listen to the sap and the juice

Dominique Koch – Holobiont Society

Dougie Strang – Still Find Joy

Dark Mountain Project – Dispatches From the Dark Mountain

Eva Jack – Whale Watching

Finn Rabbit-Dove – Gull

Hollie Miller – We the Living

Iryna Zamuruieva – Pig Mourning Ceremony

Jane Pitt – Sloopwild

Luke Jordan – Hermetic Super-Embryology

Maddie Granlund – 30 Minute Dance, Half-disappeared

Marleen Boschen

Niya B – Ekdysis

Ruaridh Law – A Sea of Cogs

Sandrine Deumier – Falling

Sonja Baumel – Microbial Entanglement

Veronica Mota – Karuma / Shadow Work

VIDIV – VIDIV

Yokko UNFIX NYC – 16 artists curated by our partners at UNFIX New York City, running throughout the festival

Yuri Dini UNFIX Bologna – Notes from the Anthropocene

Seisaku & Yuri UNFIX Japan – The Wind in the Labyrinth

Olivier Award winner Christopher Green launches ArtBank – an emergency delivery system to reconnect audiences with local artists as we emerge from lockdown

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Today Christopher Green (No Show, The Home, Ida Barr, Prurience, Tina C, Office Party) launches a brand new initiative to reconnect audiences with local artists and ease us back into cultural spaces as we take our first tentative steps out of lockdown. ArtBank is an emergency art delivery system that takes its structure from a foodbank – providing essential creative sustenance to both audiences and artists.

The initiative will be piloted with four free events at Hornsey Library in Crouch End, London. The events will run across two weeks – on 27 & 28 of April and 4 & 5 of May. Audiences will meet five exciting local artists – musicians, comedians, dancers, poets, painters, film makers, performers and more – and have a short experience with each. Some experiences will be ephemeral, and some will result in you walking away with something to hold in your hand. 

The next stage from May onwards is to open ArtBank up to a wider audience following the Hornsey Library pilot.  A free toolkit will be made available to interested venues and groups across the country, providing them with all the information they need to create and run their own local ArtBank experiences.

Christopher Green has decades of experience in the arts industry – creating bespoke, immersive and experiential work including The Home – an overnight stay in a nursing home – Office Party, a massive night out in, well, an office, and a self help group in Prurience. On their latest project, they said: 

“During the first lockdown in 2020 I began working at a foodbank. The emergency systems we put in place to provide one another with food and essentials during a crisis got me thinking about our emergency systems for the arts. Where is our creative safety net? How do we continue to connect with one another and experience art when our theatres, galleries, concert halls and pubs close?”

“ArtBank provides us with a bridge out of lockdown – a way for us to ease ourselves back into creative experiences as we emerge from the fog of Covid-19. I hope our pilot at Hornsey Library will inspire others across the country to set up an ArtBank in their local area.”

Hornsey Library is ensuring that all ArtBank experiences are Covid safe, with enhanced cleaning, NHS Covid-19 app check-ins, social distancing measures and face coverings. All audience members will be allocated a 15 minute slot within which to experience ArtBank, ensuring that the number of people indoors at any one time is kept to a minimum.

ArtBank will run on 27 & 28 of April and 4 & 5 of May at Hornsey Library, tickets can be booked by emailing artbank@email.com or calling 0782 778 5799.

ArtBank is supported by Arts Council England and Haringey Council.

On ‘The Home’

“an unforgettable feat of emotional engineering.” – ★★★★ The Guardian

On ‘No Show’

“The truth is: Green is heroic” – Within Her Words

On ‘Prurience’

“… a disorientating, provocative experience….  Theatrically the piece is audacious, springing a series of head-spinning surprises.  This is the kind of art that leaves its mark on you.  Unnerving, and uncomfortably compelling” – The Times

Green creates “..a deeply unsettling experience; one that gets right to the core of contemporary life” – ★★★★ What’s On Stage

“Tests the limits of theatre…. Very funny and genuinely discomforting…at its fiendish, exhilarating best it makes you question not just attitudes to porn but how we experience reality.” – Lyn Gardner

artbanklive.co.uk  / @artbanklive

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