Free Daily Arts Service During Coronavirus Lockdown

Rural Arts today launches RADISH, a new daily arts service responding to the outbreak of Coronavirus.

RADISH – which stands for Rural Arts Daily Inspiration while Staying at Home – will feature daily updates and activities to keep people feeling connected and creative. It starts on Monday 23rd March and will continue until Rural Arts is able to recommence its usual activities.

“On Monday evening, following updated Government guidance on social distancing, we made the difficult decision to suspend all usual Rural Arts’ activity.”, says Chief Executive Officer Max May.

“We took Tuesday to do emergency planning – vital as a small charity – and by Wednesday were considering how we could support our communities, both locally and digitally. We are excited today to launch our plans to keep everyone we can safe, healthy and happy during these unprecedented times.”

On Mondays, the organisation will share profiles on the artists they work with, many of whom as self-employed face troubling times ahead.

Their ‘Tuesday Talks’ will see the organisation host or share talks, as well as make calls to those they know to be vulnerable or isolated.

On Wednesdays, adults will be able to access a ‘Pay What You Can’ visual arts workshop delivered online, with a children’s version on Thursdays.

Fridays will see the organisation share stories and images from their thirty-year archive and ask followers to share their own memories of Rural Arts’ projects and performances.

“We have to do what we can. It’s not safe currently to meet in person – for our customers or our staff – so we’ve had to think: what can we do from home – from our bedrooms and living rooms – to try and help?”, says Max May.

They are also trying to work out the logistics of offering in person responses for those self-isolating or vulnerable who do not access the internet.

The charity, which hosts over 600 events and activities a year all across North Yorkshire, is asking patrons with bookings that are currently postponed to consider turning them into donations to help keep Rural Arts running during this unprecedented time. One-off donations can be made and Gift Vouchers for future Rural Arts’ activity can be bought via their website.

For more information, visit www.ruralarts.org/radish and for further information on how the organisation is responding to the virus, contact max@ruralarts.org