Evolver 117 - September and October 2020

LOCKDOWN 2020 7 TINCLETON GALLERY not only puts on exhibitions but they also host wonderfully intimate salon–like concerts. “It is the musicians who are really suffering,” says Joan Burdett Coutts. Their programme has halted temporarily but they are hoping to stage some concerts in the Autumn. Managing visitors to their exhibitions is more straightforward since the smaller number of visitors at one time can be managed safely. ACTIVATE, Dorset’s performing arts organisation, postponed their Inside Out festival until 2021. They moved some activity online and continued with ongoing consultancy and development work they had been doing with the National Association for AONBs (Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty). They delivered workshops for children and young people for the Council’s Summer in Dorset programme and teamed up with B-side in August to deliver s short course online for 16 to 25 year olds who were interested in developing an idea into an event. They also focused on advising performers, companies, producers and makers trying to secure emergency funding from Arts Council England. Safety of performers, audience and staff is the issue that arises with everyone involved in the arts. Kerry Bartlett of ARTSREACH is acutely aware that “things can change again in the blink of an eye”. Working in the community with a network of volunteers and professional touring performers funded by the Arts Council, she cites the conundrum of wanting to serve the community but not wanting encourage movement of people. They are aiming to produce some small scale outdoor performances for September, trying to get something really positive happening. What has emerged from the pandemic is the vital importance of the arts for everyone and for people’s wellbeing. Despite the uncertainty many arts organisations are drawing out the positives of the current situation and re- thinking their strategies. Social distancing, changing the way they interact with audiences by working more locally, and using digital technologies to engage with those who are further afield. Renowned for their ability for creative thinking, people in the arts are working out inspirational ways to accommodate this changed world and keep everyone safe. Fiona Robinson B-SIDE ‘OUTPOST LOCKDOWN EXHIBITIONS’ (Outpost, Portland, ongoing)