Electric Medway was a digital arts festival in 2020 that brought together audiovisual artworks, streamed events and interactive workshops from more than 70 local artists and community groups. It reached over 6,000 people.
Unlocked through five virtual zones, this exciting programme invited participants to engage with works – both online and offline - during the coronavirus pandemic.
The free festival had content for all ages and included commissioned new works, youth arts projects and a wider showcase. It is the first of its kind for Medway.
Unlocked through five virtual zones, this exciting programme invited participants to engage with works – both online and offline - during the coronavirus pandemic.
The free festival had content for all ages and included commissioned new works, youth arts projects and a wider showcase. It is the first of its kind for Medway.
View the festival microsite
Gallery
Production notes
SparkedEcho presents Electric Medway (2020)
Kevin Grist, Producer, SparkedEcho
Janet Moore, Producer, SparkedEcho
Georgia Smith, Events Coordinator, SparkedEcho
Nina Minhard, Social Media Coordinator, SparkedEcho
Lydia Reid, Ident Artist
Katie Lowe, Video Caption Editor
Bracken Hake, Photographer
Luke Greenaway, Web Designer
Paul Cowell, Head of Culture, Medway Council
Roy Smith, Operations Manager, Medway Youth Service
Imogen Robertson, Bid Director, Medway 2025
Jo Wilkins, Communications Manager, Medway Council
Laura Ewing, Communications + Marketing Coordinator, Medway 2025
Robyn Goldsmith, Arts Development Officer, Medway Council
Medway Youth Council, Advisory Group
Volunteers, Stewarding
Funders: Medway Council and Arts Council England in partnership with Medway Youth Service and Medway’s 2025 UK City of Culture bid.
We are thankful to our supporting organisations: Nucleus Arts heART Space, Fort Amherst, Historic Dockyard Chatham, Medway Archives and Medway Rapture Gaming & Creative Festival.
Kevin Grist, Producer, SparkedEcho
Janet Moore, Producer, SparkedEcho
Georgia Smith, Events Coordinator, SparkedEcho
Nina Minhard, Social Media Coordinator, SparkedEcho
Lydia Reid, Ident Artist
Katie Lowe, Video Caption Editor
Bracken Hake, Photographer
Luke Greenaway, Web Designer
Paul Cowell, Head of Culture, Medway Council
Roy Smith, Operations Manager, Medway Youth Service
Imogen Robertson, Bid Director, Medway 2025
Jo Wilkins, Communications Manager, Medway Council
Laura Ewing, Communications + Marketing Coordinator, Medway 2025
Robyn Goldsmith, Arts Development Officer, Medway Council
Medway Youth Council, Advisory Group
Volunteers, Stewarding
Funders: Medway Council and Arts Council England in partnership with Medway Youth Service and Medway’s 2025 UK City of Culture bid.
We are thankful to our supporting organisations: Nucleus Arts heART Space, Fort Amherst, Historic Dockyard Chatham, Medway Archives and Medway Rapture Gaming & Creative Festival.
Testimonials
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Electric Medway celebrated how our digital worlds have grown and how creativity is an essential
part of our communities. I am particularly delighted that as part of our commitment to providing
Medway’s children and young people with opportunities, that Electric Medway specifically supported
young people with paid festival jobs and mentoring to develop their creative careers.
part of our communities. I am particularly delighted that as part of our commitment to providing
Medway’s children and young people with opportunities, that Electric Medway specifically supported
young people with paid festival jobs and mentoring to develop their creative careers.
Cllr Alan Jarrett, Leader of Medway Council
Emily Peasgood / Composer
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“It was great to be a part of Electric Medway. I enjoyed seeing different pieces of art coming
together. It was amazing to see its first year and picture how large the event could be! It was a great
opportunity for me to add to my CV and it was a lovely opportunity to network and make new connections with others in the arts.”
together. It was amazing to see its first year and picture how large the event could be! It was a great
opportunity for me to add to my CV and it was a lovely opportunity to network and make new connections with others in the arts.”
Lydia Bentley, Volunteer
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“Electric Medway was a timely and positive event for Medway, both participating artists and audience.
It was a much needed focus for artists to present work publicly as well as to feel part of & connected
to something wider. It felt very inclusive in a fresh way for the area. It clearly valued the strength, diversity and quality of artists work in Medway and Kent.”
It was a much needed focus for artists to present work publicly as well as to feel part of & connected
to something wider. It felt very inclusive in a fresh way for the area. It clearly valued the strength, diversity and quality of artists work in Medway and Kent.”
Jane Pitt, Artist
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Electric Medway has been my first ever paid job, it has made me much more confident in my work, and has given me the experience of working with a range of different people. I had a fantastic time working with Electric Medway, it has been an amazing experience and a big thank you to the festival for giving me this opportunity.
Bracken Hake, Photographer
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I enjoyed my short time volunteering and met some great people also kindly giving their time so others can enjoy the festival. As this has been an unusual year I think the festival gave people a real boost and was something they could either enjoy online or interact with at the venues and took their minds off current difficulties. I will look forward to any plans for another festival next year
Lesley Pick, Volunteer Steward
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"I got to test co-creation by inviting the audience to choose where they wanted sky footage taken. I’m from Medway but not really exhibited in Medway so it raised my profile locally"
"I developed tech skills in visual effects, video, using a green screen. First time I’ve been part of a festival"
"It was great for a young musician to be included in a programme of dynamic artists"
"I developed tech skills in visual effects, video, using a green screen. First time I’ve been part of a festival"
"It was great for a young musician to be included in a programme of dynamic artists"
Artists' feedback
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The whole festival was a great experience! I thoroughly enjoyed it and would definitely plan to come to Medway next year to see and participate in the live events. It was a wonderful thing to do and very reflective - it was a really nice way to help out! Thank you for putting on something so lovely and wholesome yet extremely engaging and captivating!
Samuel D. Loveless, Online Volunteer
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Funders & supporters
