People Offering Art 1. Feel like some culture? Visit a gallery – there are many free exhibitions to choose from at ArtUK.org. And join the Staying in is the new Going Out group on Twitter for lots of home-based fun to choose from. From poetry and theatre to dance nights of every genre, children’s bedtime stories to home education, there’s loads to choose from – and you can post your own virtual events too. 2. If you're in need of entertainment, CNET has put together this list of free resources with something for everyone https://www.cnet.com/news/free-entertainment-to- help-you-survive-coronavirus-social-distancing-march-31/ 3. Many celebrities, from Lizzo to Liam Gallagher are doing their best to entertain us from home https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-52002447 4. Relax and enjoy some comedy. The CosmicShambles #StayAtHomeFestival has comedy galore, and the CosmicShambles network offers insight into art and science, including analysis of where all the toilet rolls have gone. CosmicShambles has a huge variety of shows to choose from, including videos and podcasts; science, comedy, art, esoterica and the Stay at Home Festival (https://cosmicshambles.com/stayathome), created by Robin Ince (@RobinInce) https://cosmicshambles.com/. Laughter is great for stress relief, and taking your mind off your worries. 5. Check out @ArtsInCareHomes for some great intergenerational creative initiatives. 6. David Hockney fans can enjoy beautiful Spring-inspired art to their day https:// www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-52109901. And there are many art galleries putting collections online, if you want to escape the world and find something beautiful; to look at. 7. Many people in the UK have found themselves waiting on the Universal Credit line. If you have – or you have that joy to come – this sweet song from @SlyTheatre may help make it a little less stressful: music made with hold music accompaniment as played by the DWP https://youtu.be/U4a2sYIf1m0 If you find yourself on hold, put on the song and see if you can get the song to synchronsie with your call. It makes the time go much faster and is calming. Better yet, record yourself doing it – and add musical accompaniment if you’re a musician. 8. Want to escape to the theatre? Visit https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/ to watch Jane Eyre, and see which theatrical performance are coming soon. There are many clips and interviews on their YouTube channel too https://www.youtube.com/channel/ UCUDq1XzCY0NIOYVJvEMQjqw 9. Cirque de Soleil are showing a 60 minute performance every Friday at 7pm GMT. https://www.cirquedusoleil.com/cirqueconnect 10. For knitting-inclined people who want to help, Delph Co-op us a collection point for knitted hearts for intensive care. Relatives take one and the patient keeps one while being unable to visit. https://mobile.twitter.com/LINSGREATERMAN1/status/ 1246556938374197250 – a great way to use crafting for good. It’s great for self-care too. 11. If you miss nature, immerse yourself in a nature book and admire the wonders of the world. Join me at Nature Book Club on Twitter every Sunday for nature book discussion. Share your favourite nature books and find new ones to enjoy https:// groweatgift.com/2020/01/20/nature-book-club-the-big-list-5/ And follow #RainbowBlooms today, to see your timeline fill with colourful flowers. Share your own #RainbowBlooms to spread joy too. 12. Need an energy boost? This Lockdown Mix from Fatboy Slim should get your adrenaline pumping, and he’s releasing them regularly. If you feel like dancing, go for it. You really can dance like nobody’s watching. They probably won’t be unless you’re on a video call. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fl5BjSWhC0A 13. Cabaret fans should check #CabaretVirale, created by @DustyLimits (who has his own Patreon and two excellent albums so far, both free to listen to on Soundcloud.) Be warned, it’s not remotely child friendly, and is racy humour, so avoid if that’s not to your taste as it’s certain to offend. However, if you enjoy cabaret, it’s world-class.. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DICAGh31e4o&t=37s 14. Richard Herring is another prolific podcast producer. His latest show is a fundraiser for the Trussell Trust – watch it here (he can be a little racy/crude so don’t watch if easily offended). https://www.beyondthejoke.co.uk/content/8564/download-richard- herring Or watch Cirque de Soleil here http://www.londontheatrereviews.co.uk/ post.cfm?p=2696. Who says your social life needs to be limited just because you’re stuck indoors? 15. “I’m bored.” Bored of hearing this? Check out The Guardian’s culture guide for the best online entertainment, no matter how old you are https:// www.theguardian.com/culture/2020/apr/05/this-weeks-best-culture-indoors-from- trolls-on-tour-to-lockdown-with-miranda-hart 16. Award-winning musical comedy troupe Showstoppers responded to a challenge from no less than Elaine Paige, to create a song that’s relevant to current events, with a West Side Story theme. Watch it here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F- Iv93Aem_M&feature=youtu.be Follow them @ShowStoppers for more brilliant improvised songs: think Whose Line is it Anyway, but with musicals: a great way to add joy to your day. 17. The Shows Must Go On is showing full length shows every Friday 7pm BST for 48 hours. You can currently watch Jesus Christ Superstar with Tim Minchin and Melanie C. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GpO4ohqx3os&feature=youtu.be) Subscribe to The Shows Must Go On YouTube channel for more behind-the-scenes footage, and to find out what’s coing up next https://www.youtube.com/channel/ UCdmPjhKMaXNNeCr1FjuMvag For Funding 1. The National Lottery Heritage Fund has opened a £50M emergency scheme. Past and present grantees can apply for grants between £3,000 and £50,000, to support heritage projects in crisis as a result of the current situation. This money is being diverted from new applications which are currently halted: something useful to bear in mind if supporting local heritage projects. Historic England are also planning on offering emergency financial support and will be announcing details soon. https://www.heritagefund.org.uk/ 2. This list of resources for artists in need may be useful https:// www.siobhandavies.com/c19-artistsupport/ Share these resources with artistic friends to help ease their fears and worries. 3. Know a young carer in the UK who needs support? Give them hope by sharing this fund with them, - and if you’re good at grant applications, why not use those skills to help others too? http://www.open.ac.uk/courses/fees-and-funding/carers-scholarship-fund 4. The @CoopUK iWill fund is still open, and Co-op is still looking for Endangered Spaces, so if you know an endangered arts space in the UK, fill in the form on the website. Research is easy from bed nowadays, so use the time you save on commuting and going out to help a local organisation apply for the support they need. 5. This list of funds may come in useful if you need more support for any organisations you’re involved with https://www.grantsonline.org.uk/coronavirus.html 6. The Charities Aid Foundation has extra grants for charities in need https:// www.cafonline.org/charities/grantmaking/caf-coronavirus-emergency-fund (Leicestershire organisations can also apply for funding through the Leicestershire Communities Fund https://www.leicestershirecommunities.org.uk/leicestershire- communities-fund.html) Wellbeing Artist Opportunities 1. LockDown OpenUp is an initiative to motivate and inspire storytellers to open up and share, using their lockdown experience as inspiration. Director’s Cut will be reviewing submissions as they come in daily. Some of these submissions will be used in one of their upcoming showcases at Southwark Playhouse when the theatre industry’s doors are open once again. During the days of the lockdown some of the script submissions will also be chosen and cast to be released on their online channel, along with some of the video submissions they receive. To enter, make a 1-2 minute video inspired by lockdown, whether through story, song, comedy or something else entirely. Find out more and submit your entry here https://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/opportunities/ directors-cut-lockdown 2. If you’re feeling inspired to write, why not make the most of your time at home by entering some writing competitions? Creative Ink has a huge lists of writing competitions you can enter – and recommend your social media followers enter: there are many writers in the world, and it’s a great way to build connections. Creating art, whatever form it takes, can be a great way to relax. And who knows, maybe it could be the start of an exciting new sideline (you could even be the new JK Rowling. She was a poor and struggling single parent mum once…) https://creativewritingink.co.uk/ writing-competitions/ For Mental Health Support 1. Look after your health, beyond washing your hands and staying at home unless you’re a keyworker. Schedule time for self-care if you struggle to be kind to yourself. It matters, particularly with health systems under strain, so make it a priority. It is not an indulgence. Self-care is community care. 2. If you are feeling bad, think about whether you have had enough sleep, food and water, or indulged in excessive alcohol and/or drugs. You know your body and the habits that are good or bad for it.