3 years on - reflections from the Library development team on the Art of Libraries programme
Many library staff have been involved in the Art of Libraries programme – both in local libraries and in supporting teams. In this blog we hear from Jill Barker - who was involved with Create Gloucestershire as the development manager on the original Art of Libraries programme and reflects on the pilot. We’ll also hear from Curtis Fulcher who has recently joined the team as the development manager after Jill's retirement, as he brings us up to speed with new developments across the library service and a look to the future of creativity in libraries.
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Solving The Corinium Mission
Brave Bold Drama, an award-winning theatre & community arts company created by Paul Lawless & Gill Simmons was one of the commissions. They brought their project ‘The Company of International Artists’ to children in Gloucestershire. We talked to them about the project, working with Gloucestershire Libraries and what they learnt changing their work from a live experience to a blended model of delivery - incorporating creative packs (delivered by post!), video downloads as well live online content.
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Reflections on the Dream Switch exploration = How Can Creativity Power Communities in Gloucestershire?
We came together in April 2021 to ask each other, and explore collectively; How Can Creativity Power Communities in Gloucestershire?
As an artist/collaborator I joined the Dream Switch in April, with my “CG brain” only slightly engaged, ready to embrace the experiment that we had created. I work with CG on creative communication and the network, so this event was a timely breathing space for me, and for the others.
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Rizpah Amadasun takes fairy tales into the future
In 2021 Gloucester Libraries commissioned two artists to test new and innovative ways for libraries to engage virtually with families whilst they were closed. Rizpah Amadasun was one of the artists selected. She created interactive story workshops online where families were guided through building their own fairy-tale. We talked to her about her experience of working with Gloucestershire Libraries in a new digital format…
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Can't sit still even in lockdown
During the pandemic Glos libraries have been working with Can’t Sit Still amongst others to develop and adapt their show ‘Play-Along Plink and Boo’ which was originally planned as in library performances with live audiences, to digital interactive theatre performances for children and their families to enjoy from home.
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Jonny Fluffypunk goes digital with Glos libraries
Stand-up poet, give-up musician and lo-fi theatre maker Jonny Fluffypunk has been dragging his art around the country and occasionally beyond for over 20 years. Fiercely DIY, resolutely home-made and by turns funny, wistful and oddly moving, Jonny's work is both a celebration of the beauty in the mundane and an elaborate cry for help.
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Coming soon - the Art of libraries toolkit
As a legacy to the Art of Libraries test pilot we ran in partnership with 6 Gloucestershire based libraries between 2017-2020, Glos libraries will soon be launching the Art of Libraries toolkit.
The toolkit shares a plethora of both creative and practical ideas to support artists and library staff to work together to co-create an irresistible creative programme for children and young people. The aim is to inspire and encourage them to be creative and try something new - from music to drama, storytelling, circus or animation to name a few of the sessions on offer.
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Creative Age Programme in Gloucestershire
Creative Age is an arts-based, social community project for people living with dementia and their carers who still live independently. Participants take part in focused creative group sessions facilitated by experienced artists, exploring imaginatively with collective story-making, seated movement, dance, music, visual stimuli and poetry, with content driven by the participants’ interests. Before the pandemic, creative sessions were followed by socialising over tea and cake, hosted and coordinated by Bethesda Church and committed volunteers (who also support the artist-led sessions).
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Gloucestershire Libraries experience of Arts Award
Anne Careless from Tewkesbury Library recalls her Arts Award journey, and how the team delivered the Make-aways alongside Discover at Home.
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Taking Arts Award online in Gloucestershire #LoveArtsAward
Through the chaos of last year we saw an opportunity. What if we could deliver Arts Award digitally and engage families creatively while they were at home? Wouldn’t that be a great resource for now but also long term, giving us the ability to reach young people who might not otherwise have access? We all agreed it was.
This is how we came together to collectively explore and test out new ways to deliver it.
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Arts & Cultural work placements now available for young people in Glos with Kickstart
We are delighted to share the news that Create Gloucestershire has been selected to be a Kickstart Gateway organisation working with 13 Gloucestershire organisations for the new government Kickstart Scheme.
As a Gateway organisation Create Gloucestershire will support 13 organisations in the arts, cultural and education sector to recruit 31 young people in Gloucestershire giving them the chance to build their confidence and skills in the workplace, and to gain experience that will improve their chances of going on to find long-term, sustainable work.
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Leadership Conversations: Vicci Livingstone Thompson
Leadership Conversation No.7
Vicci Livingstone Thompson is CEO of Inclusion Gloucestershire - a charity and user led organisation run for and by disabled people. Her strong leadership style and passion for collaborative working and co-production is evident. Vicci talks to Louise Emerson about her own life experience, the challenges and opportunities that have arisen through the Covid pandemic and a sustainable future for Inclusion Glos.
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How Mindful Photography Can Improve Mental Health
Over the last year (both pre and post covid!) Ruth Davey has been running mindful photography courses across Gloucestershire to improve the mental health of the participants. This mindful approach to photography uses a blend of photography, mindfulness and being in nature to slow down, reduce stress and relieve anxiety and depression.
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Arts & Health South West - Stories from the Annual Conference
We were delighted to be part of the Arts & Health South West Conference in November 2020 and to be part of this podcast series of stories recorded on the day. The stories speak of the incredible challenges experienced during the last year from the Hospital, Medical School, & Care Home, as well as amazing examples of how artists & the cultural sector rose to those challenges
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Leadership Conversations: Sally Byng on ‘Unlearning’ assumptions about leadership
Leadership Conversation No.6
For our next leadership conversation Sally has focused her thoughts on the importance of inner work; our own ‘personal leadership’ which is rooted in values that guide us when making decisions about how to react, respond and behave…
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Leadership Conversations: Louise Emerson reminds us to be curious, in order to adapt
Leadership Conversation No.5
We are delighted to continue our leadership conversations with Louise Emerson who is a business consultant in the cultural & charity sector. Louise was previously CEO of Cheltenham Festivals and Head of Commercial Strategy at the Natural History Museum. She is an accredited Coach/Mentor working with leaders and managers in the NHS, Media, Culture, Pharma sectors, as well as, entrepreneurs.
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Cam & Dursley Pop Up Creative Café takes part in Discover at Home Arts Award
Over the Summer, Churches Together in Cam & Dursley organised 5 weeks of Pop Up creative cafes to support communities during the Summer holiday after months of lockdown.
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Meet Alice - the first child to pass her Discover at Home Arts Award!
Alice is the first child to pass the Discover at Home award as part of the CG network
To get started with her Discover at Home Art Award Alice joined an art session with visual artist, Debbie Kersley. Alice then chose to do the ‘Imagining Age’ creative challenge which was devised in partnership with Age UK Glos. The challenge involves finding out about an older person and their chosen lockdown object and then imagining what they might look like.
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Leadership Conversations: Meet Bren - Gloucestershire resident, volunteer and citizen leader!
Leadership Conversation No.4
In the fourth of our leadership conversations we hosted an online chat with Bren McInerney – a well-known Gloucestershire resident, volunteer and citizen leader!
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TwoCan even in lockdown!
TwoCan theatre have been working with arts awards for over 10 years and has supported hundreds of young people at all five arts awards levels. We caught up with Louise Partridge, one of TwoCans founders to find out how the group adjusted to life during lockdown and how they used arts award to recognise and celebrate the creative output of the group through ‘lockdown challenges’.
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