Creative Conversations 2024
Creative Conversations, a rural arts and older people programme has had two iterations to date.
Initially an Arts Council England and Barings Foundation three and a half year Celebrating Age funded pilot, led by MediaActive Projects and Arts Alive. From Summer 2024, a subsequent development phase in partnership with Wem Town Hall was launched, thanks to new funding from Vibrant Shropshire, and the Inclusive Communities Fund awarded through the Heart of England Community Foundation.
With emphasis on co-design, co-production and creative collaboration, the programme connects to experienced agencies and individuals across the arts, community, health and social care sectors.
We have generated new and high quality opportunities, for people aged 55 to 103, including those at risk of isolation and loneliness, to get creative, to take part, to enjoy the arts, and to raise their voices and celebrate their creativity and life experiences.
Alongside the shared ambition to increase access and cultural provision for and with older people, was the concern to build creative and cultural capacity at a local level. We did this by investing in our community of artists, through professional development and creative commission opportunities.
Initially an Arts Council England and Barings Foundation three and a half year Celebrating Age funded pilot, led by MediaActive Projects and Arts Alive. From Summer 2024, a subsequent development phase in partnership with Wem Town Hall was launched, thanks to new funding from Vibrant Shropshire, and the Inclusive Communities Fund awarded through the Heart of England Community Foundation.
With emphasis on co-design, co-production and creative collaboration, the programme connects to experienced agencies and individuals across the arts, community, health and social care sectors.
We have generated new and high quality opportunities, for people aged 55 to 103, including those at risk of isolation and loneliness, to get creative, to take part, to enjoy the arts, and to raise their voices and celebrate their creativity and life experiences.
Alongside the shared ambition to increase access and cultural provision for and with older people, was the concern to build creative and cultural capacity at a local level. We did this by investing in our community of artists, through professional development and creative commission opportunities.
Hillcrest Manor residents enjoying a session with Rachel and Sal
Participating community groups, organisations and venues: Age UK singing groups in Shropshire and Telford; Age UK Dementia Services; Withywood Supported Living; U3A; Wem Town Hall; Our Space community centre and library, Ellesmere; Radfield Community Care; SCC Carer’s Support Group; SCC Dementia Friendship Group; Up Sewage Creek group; Sparc Theatre; Talbot Theatre; Silverster Horne Institute; Hillcrest Manor Care Home; The Redwoods Centre, Minsterley Library; Talking News; and village halls: Church and Chetwynd Aston, All Stretton, Chetton, Bitterley, Claverley, Cleobury Mortimer, Bedstone and Hopton.
The core creative team were: Adrian Plant (Musicologist & Curator), Sally Tonge (Verbal Artist), Jean Atkin (Poet and Writer), Rachel Liggitt (Dance Artist), Eve Whitmore (Music Leader) Eugenia Hamilton, Adam Farish and Danielle Phelps (Animators), Andy Lowe and Chris Renshaw (Sound Artists) and Sue Gainsborough (Creative Producer / MediaActive Projects), Rose Horner (Creative Producer / Wem Town Hall) and Hannah Prior (Creative Producer / Arts Alive). Creative and technical support was provided by Richard Hepenstal (MediaActive Projects).
The core creative team were: Adrian Plant (Musicologist & Curator), Sally Tonge (Verbal Artist), Jean Atkin (Poet and Writer), Rachel Liggitt (Dance Artist), Eve Whitmore (Music Leader) Eugenia Hamilton, Adam Farish and Danielle Phelps (Animators), Andy Lowe and Chris Renshaw (Sound Artists) and Sue Gainsborough (Creative Producer / MediaActive Projects), Rose Horner (Creative Producer / Wem Town Hall) and Hannah Prior (Creative Producer / Arts Alive). Creative and technical support was provided by Richard Hepenstal (MediaActive Projects).
Behind the scenes at Creative Conversations 2024 short film
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MediaActive Projects C.I.C.
Wem Town Hall High Street, Wem Shropshire, SY4 5DG |
email: [email protected]
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