Covid-19 Support

Support during the Coronavirus outbreak

We are monitoring the COVID-19 situation closely and we know it is very challenging for everyone. Our paramount concern is the health & wellbeing of our team, artists, participants, audiences and local community. We are heartened by how kind and supportive so many of you have been and, as things continue to change daily, everyone at Activate will do all that we can to support those in our local arts and creative sector.

This page is our way of sharing resources, advice and guidance that might be most relevant. We are updating it regularly.

Work in the arts and cultural sector?

On Thursday 24 September 2020, Activate ran an online workshop, ‘Working Safely during Coronavirus’ with Head of Production and Health and Safety Specialist Mat Ort.

It was aimed at those delivering workshops or events with members of the public and offered advice on presenting activities safely. Here are some of the resources Mat shared (these were in line with government guidance given on 22 September 2020 and may be subject to change, although the government pages are regularly updated):

Government Guidance:
General COVID-19 guidance and what you need to do
Coronavirus outbreak FAQs: what you can and can’t do
Meeting with others safely – social distancing
DCMS guidance for people working in performing arts
Guidance for the safe use of multi-purpose community facilities
Guidance for the public on the phased return of outdoor sport and recreation in England
NHS Hands, Face, Space guidance film

Other guidance for getting back to work in the Events and Arts sector:
Events industry Forum – a guide on keeping workers and audiences safe during COVID-19 in the outdoor event industry in England (July 2020)
Eventbrite – COVID-19 Safety Playbook for Events – a resource for how to determine the risks for events and how to address them (June 2020)
Brass Bands England – guidance for getting bands and musicians back into the rehearsal room (April 2021)
UK Association for Music Education – Music Unlocked contains specific information relating to the risks of singing and playing musical instruments (June 2020)
Docjon.org – article to help understand the airborne spread of COVID-19 (June 2020)
Activate Performing Arts COVID-19 risk assessment template (September 2020)
Working Safely during Coronavirus workshop notes (September 2020)

Based in Dorset?

Looking for some relief?

We have moved our team to working from home, but we are still very much contactable and would like to share the advice and guidance that we receive along with moral support. We are working closely with other local arts organisations and Arts Council England South West to ensure the negative impact of coronavirus on our work and those of our peers, friends and colleagues is as minimal as possible.

Staying connected to others is very important at times like this. If you are an artist, freelancer, producer or creative based in Dorset, please do get in touch. Whether you have concerns about the impact of coronavirus on your work or just want a break from enforced isolation, we will listen and try to find the best way through this together.

Feel free to contact us via info@activateperformingarts.org.uk or 01305 260954. Please also visit our FacebookTwitter and Instagram accounts where we will continue to share updates, information and ideas that we think might help.

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