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2021 ARTS BY THE SEA THEME

Arts by the Sea 2021 presents Connect

Human beings are inherently social by nature – relying on relationships and social interaction for their mental health and wellbeing. And yet, 2020 saw a major challenge to maintaining critical social connections. The Covid 19 crisis required all of us to limit, and for some completely cut, face to face contact with friends and family. 

Within a surprisingly short period, vast swathes of the workforce adopted digital alternatives to both working and socialising, quickly adjusting to persistent zoom chats throughout the day, while upping time spent across chat apps & social media platforms. These technologies have proved a double-edged sword – allowing us to maintain an astonishing degree of connection, while keeping us simultaneously distanced – arguably providing a poor substitute for direct interaction, conversation, and tactile ways of being with others. 

Covid 19 created a new and troubling experience of isolation for some, while for others, in particular older people, it only compounded further the pre-existing epidemic of loneliness in the UK. Age UK predicts that by 2026, there will be 2 million people over 50 in England who will often feel lonely, having a dramatic impact on their wellbeing and quality of life. 

As society continues its recovery from Covid 19, the importance of reconnecting with others is ever-more apparent. Through its 2021 programme, Arts by the Sea will explore the concept of the human being as a social creature – a tribal animal – while highlighting the importance of celebration, festivity and connecting with others. 

 

Advice from Cathryn Peach-Barnes and Andrea Francis

 

·       One of the best skills you can learn is how to be fair and good friends with everybody.

·       Don’t lie but don’t undersell yourself. I say ‘I don’t have direct experience (in that) but I’m sure I can do it’.

·       Have something specific you want to talk about when you’re trying to build networks digitally. This could be a ‘Where I’m at in my career’, ‘Could you introduce me to X’ or ‘I’m interested in XYZ’ type chat.

·       Be kind to yourself – 2020/1 is a difficult year for us all.

·       Everyone can be a contact. You didn’t get the job? That’s okay, stay in touch, keep them informed and see what comes next.

·       Ask people in the area who they recommend when looking for acts or artists.

·       Be friends with the internet I look at other festival websites, family festivals, night light events, puppetry shows etc when looking to commission.

OPPORTUNITY!

EEA have been selected by Historic England to create a large scale outdoor celebration of the high street to be delivered in 2023 - part of the High Street Heritage Action Zones Cultural Programme.

The whole EEA team will be meeting their team next week and we would like to offer one of you the chance to sit in and observe the initial meet to see how partnership working begins. We don't think they will have any issues with this (if they do you might have to leave but we don't think they will!).

The meeting is next Tuesday 16th February at 1.30pm.

This one will be on a first come first served basis so drop me an email if you're up for it!

Shanika

Upcoming Session Dates

Session 5: Tuesday 20th April (final pitches)

Session 6: Tuesday 25th May

Session 7: Tuesday 6th July

Session 8: Tuesday 3rd August

Session 9: Tuesday 24th August

Session 10: Tuesday 7th September

Session 11: Tuesday 21st September

Session 12: Early October (12th/19th October?)

Marcus Method

Marcus Method is the visual artist who is doing the design work for the festival - you can check out more of his work here