Gig-Arts During Lockdown
A 2020 REVIEW
We were together for the December 2019 Christmas Gig-Arts Event, but what’s been happening since then? Here is a brief six-month review of our charitable work.
In 2020, a start-of-the-year board meeting was held at Witney’s Langdale Hall on Wednesday 5th February. This was attended in person by Jill Bull, Abbie Cooke, Beccy Rodger and online via WhatsApp video by Sian McDermott and via phone by Martin Dare. This important meeting addressed: Governance; fundraising by building the ‘case for support’; building a vision for a tri-county footprint; co-support of the disabled, elderly and children; developing Gig-Arts event value; and increasing using technology for a fresh approach to social media and virtual meetings.
In March 2020, the covid-19 pandemic resulted in lockdown. The usual face-to-face Gig-Arts Board meeting scheduled for March at the Langdale Hall in Witney was obviously cancelled… and the personal lives of the Gig-Arts board and team were impacted... along with the charity’s numerous geographically spread vulnerable service users.
Undeterred, CEO Abbie Cooke called for an online board meeting which went ahead on the 26th March. It was attended by Board members Abbie Cooke, Martin Dare, Beccy Rodger and Sian McDermott; together with Gig-Arts Team members Jem Tyler, Rex Boyd and Grace Willow and Gary Cooke. The meeting resulted in a new social media campaign; a new ‘Gig-Arts Online’ event service; and a new investment in Zoom (donated by Brand Cooke). The following week, the Gig-Arts teams met again via Zoom; and this constructive lockdown routine continued.
Abbie and Jem quickly connected with friends of Banbury Gig-Arts. Two mini events were held for 4 people via WhatsApp Video. Jem played music and Abbie did an art demonstration which immediately had a visually positive effect on well-being and morale during the COVID-19 lockdown. Following this, Abbie contacted Gig-Arts Alumni including young actress Olivia Maiden and fashion photographer Oscar May who donated their valuable time to support the charity; Olivia created a superb short film for Gig-Arts on a beach in Guernsey and Oscar donated his professional photographs including an image of the well-known singer/actress Kylie Minogue.
A series of YouTube videos were boldly created. Rex Boyd produced a ‘Walk around Ascott under Wychwood’ short film to share online. Jem Tyler produced the lyrics and music score for a new Gig-Arts song called “Take Time to Be Kind”. Jem then agreed to gift this song to Gig-Arts so that the charity can use it to help vulnerable people; the music can also now be used as backing track music for Gig-Arts branded videos on YouTube.
Meanwhile, the Gig-Arts visual art team jumped into action. Branding specialist Gary Cooke created a series of Gig-Arts branded images for daily use on FaceBook, Twitter and Instagram; and then the Gig-Arts website was brand was refreshed with the new homepage title: 'Gig-Arts helps aspiring artists with disabilities to shine' which was applauded on our Thursday Gig-Arts 'clap for the NHS’.
On a roll, Gig-Arts presented a series of 'Gig-Arts Online Events' on Zoom on the 30th April, 11th May and 1st June. These delivered interactive live art, live music and all round happiness which epitomises the ‘GAIN-GIG-GIVE’ elements of the charity. Gig-Arts events involve giving artworks to the community and so participants’ paintings were colourfully displayed on social media. And to show further support, our artists were rewarded for their brave resilience with ‘lockdown lion’ toy gifts, which were safely delivered by post.
At Gig-Arts, we believe in the aspiring artists that we nurture, and will continue to deliver online services with our esteemed partner stakeholders. There will be online live art, live music and much more to come! In the meantime, stay safe, stay alert and be creative! See you online again soon!