Coronavirus update

SparkedEcho coronavirus update 19 March 2020.

As many of you will know, the latest UK government advice on the coronavirus (Covid-19) is asking people to avoid non-essential contact with others, to work from home where possible and to avoid social places such as pubs, clubs and theatres. Schools are now being closed. 

Our first priority is the safety of staff, participants and audiences. 

As a result, SparkedEcho will be cancelling all activities where we would naturally have gatherings of people, until the end of May. Face-to-face meetings are being moved to video conferencing and we are initiating remote-working. Where possible, we will be looking to host some of our creative activities online. 
 
Current details of what is affected (updated 18 March 2020):

• 28 March - 8 April
  Solace Exhibition and Artist Talk at Devonshire Collective Eastbourne is now cancelled. Instead, we are going to present an online alternative using material collected on the project. More details will be announced shortly. It is likely to run during April.
  
  
• 24 April
  Story Soundscapes workshop at Little Thurrock Primary School is now postponed until further notice due to school closures. This is part of the Thurrock Trailblazers Cultural Catalogue.

 

• 9-17 May
  GarageBand Taster Sessions at Sun Pier House, as part of Get Creative Festival 2020 are now cancelled. We are exploring ways these can be delivered online.

 
SparkedEcho is a small grassroots arts organisation working with some of the most marginalised groups in our communities. We share the concerns of our colleagues that these measures now pose a significant challenge to the creative sector, and in particular, the livelihood of artists. Rest assured we are exploring all options to steer SparkedEcho safely through this period of uncertainty, and to help and support colleagues. If you are able to support our work, you can make a donation here. 
 
If you have any questions about this announcement, please do get in touch. Email hello@sparkedecho.org or leave us a message on 01634 540787. 
 
Keep up to date with SparkedEcho news through our various channels: Website | Facebook​ | Twitter​ | Instagram | Newsletter 
 
To help adjust to being at home longer, SparkedEcho are compiling a Pinterest board of sound-making apps you might like to try. We hope you find these fun and useful. Please let us know if there’s something we should add. 

Stay safe and look after each other, 

Kevin and Janet 
 
The latest coronavirus advice from Arts Council England: https://www.artscouncil.org.uk/covid19
 
The current coronavirus advice from UK Government: 
https://www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/coronavirus-covid-19-uk-government-response