The exhibition ran from 10-20 June 2021 at the Former Market Hall, Wakefield.
On 23 March 2020, the UK entered its first national Lockdown in response to the emergence of the Covid-19 pandemic. Local artists who had suddenly lost their work and their income were invited to apply for Creative Challenge grant funding, designed to respond to the impact Covid-19 on the district and our communities, and to work with some of our most isolated communities where possible, with a creative approach.
The grants supported 17 creatives and cultural organisations from across our district and ranged from £1k to £10k. The total investment was c. £55k, sustaining 226 working days for local creatives. The projects took place across our district in Wakefield, Castleford Central and Glasshoughton, Altofts and Whitwood, South Elmsall and South Kirkby, Crofton Ryhill and Walton, and online.
See below all the creatives that were involved and their projects:
A series of 40 paintings during Tony’s daily exercise walks in Wakefield.
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Promoting wellbeing through home craft kits for Slow Stitching and Creative Cloth during Lockdown.
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A new composition, with additional choral arrangement and soundscape by Wakefield musician Ali Bullivent.
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Five puppetry films featuring verbatim accounts of Wakefield people’s experience of the pandemic.
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Creative therapeutic support that individuals led by Spectrum People starting in Lockdown 1.0 and continuing throughout the year.
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Promoting wellbeing through home craft kits for Slow Stitching and Creative Cloth during Lockdown.
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A photography and poetry project led by Wakefield creatives Paul Bateson and Mark Ratcliffe.
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Three performing arts short films were created by external artists working with CAPA College students during lockdown.
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Eastmoor Community Project
Bringing young people together to create, through the exploration of music and song. Improving wellbeing and encouraging future artistic growth during Lockdown.
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A documentary photography project uniting early career photographers from across the Wakefield District.
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Rachel painted murals around Pontefract, and people then used these paintings to complete their daily exercise walks in the first lockdown.
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Supporting adults experiencing long-term lung conditions through online group sessions
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Rhubarb Design House had an open call to the people of Wakefield for their stories and experiences of the first lockdown from all over Wakefield.
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One to One Development Trust
A series of podcasts from members of Wakefield District Sight Aid who share life and lockdown stories.
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Supporting children and families experiencing isolation during lockdown through online creative activities.
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Seanna has created a series of illustrations, and a wall hanging, that show specifically how Wakefield has handled the experience of the pandemic.
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