The Corn Exchange is launching online sessions to keep communities creative and connected and to beat the coronavirus blues.
After the shock announcement of the closure of the Corn Exchange last week due to the coronavirus, it has announced a series of online sessions for all ages that will offer support to keep communities creative and connected.
The online content will include vlogs, remote sessions and project packs, the aim is support home schooling as well as giving people of all ages the opportunity to keep being creative and perhaps learn a new skill while staying in.
Sessions include a free online version of the popular Rhyme and Shine workshops, a series of pre-recorded videos on Shakespeare aimed at Year 9, GCSE and A-level students, connecting remotely with care homes, and the opportunity for adults to continue with their skills in painting in an arts skills video. Pre-recorded content will be available from the homepage of the website.
Katy Griffiths, Director of Corn Exchange Newbury, said: “We recognise just how important the role of the Corn Exchange is as a space for people to come and connect with each other and with creative activity. Without the ability to do this in person, it feels right to reach out to support both our cultural and local communities and find new ways of bringing people together.”
The Corn Exchange Newbury is also calling out to arts professionals with the chance to apply for one of five £1000 commissions to create a piece of work that can be presented in a format that people can enjoy remotely. This call out goes out to artists working in any art form, and applicants should consider projects that tackle current challenges such as parents who have to home school their children, the importance of keeping socially connected, advocating for the arts as an essential part of society and celebrating key workers. Proposals and project ideas must be no longer than one side of A4 and should be sent to the Corn Exchange Newbury by email to programming@cornexchangenew.co.uk by Monday 30 March at 10am.
All the latest information on the current closure of the Corn Exchange Newbury, as well as the planned online activities and details about the commission opportunity, can be found online at www.cornexchangenew.com
