Art in a time of COVID-19… (Social Distancing friendly ways to keep the arts in your life)

Access2Arts wants Deaf and disabled artists and arts-audiences to live their best creative lives! This is no different in the midst of COVID-19.

The A2A team have gathered a list of Social Distancing friendly ways to keep you participating and engaged in the arts whilst we live life a little differently over the next little while. This is but a drop in the ocean so if you find other solutions to keep boredom at bay, let us know so we can share your discoveries.

Are you on a budget? A2A’s got you covered! All of the following can be enjoyed for free…

But first, let’s chat about social distancing…

Social Distancing has become the word on everyone’s lips right now.

Social distancing includes ways to stop or slow the spread of infectious diseases. It means less contact between you and other people.

You can practice social distancing by:

• Keeping a distance between you and other people — right now it is recommended to be 1.5 metres (or about 6-feet)
• Practice good hand and sneeze/cough hygiene
• Avoiding public transportation, if you can
• If you don’t need to travel, Don’t – That might disrupt travel to work or social gatherings but it will keep everyone safer.
• Staying away from public gatherings. Now is not the time to go to a crowded party!

You can learn more about social distancing from the Australian Government here.

‘Art-flix and Chill’:

Looking for a new film to watch or show to binge? Celebrate on-screen disability representation by enjoying the following works featuring disabled people, actors, directors and creatives.

The Angus Project – Comedy (ABC iview):
Angus, an aspiring sports journalist with cerebral palsy, employs his hopeless best friend Nina, a failing uni student, to be his carer. Together they go on wild adventures and get up to no good in the rural town of Bathurst.

The Heights – Drama (ABC iview):
A slice of life from Arcadia Heights; the critically acclaimed drama dives deeper into the lives of the families of Arcadia Heights and its surrounds, as they take on what life has to throw at them.
Closed Captioning available.

Love On The Spectrum – Documentary (ABC iview):
Seven singles take their first steps into the world of dating. This four-part documentary follows young adults on the autism spectrum as they explore the unpredictable world of love and relationships.
Closed Captioning available.

The Loop – Short film (SBS On Demand):
The Loop is an absurd journey into disability, authorship and representation. First-time television director Lorcan Hopper twists the world of soap operas to share his experience of disability. But with a documentary team filming Lorcan’s every move, can the cast and crew match the intensity and professionalism he demands?
Closed Captioning available.

Limited Surrender – Short film (SBS On Demand):
Limited Surrender is a testament to the power of creativity. Artist Kirsty Martinsen addresses how her creative energy and force have kept going despite confronting an ever deteriorating body from Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Reflecting on her diagnosis and artistic journey, her story unfolds at the same time as the creation of a bold new artwork.
Closed Captioning available.

Deafinition – Short film (SBS On Demand):
With honesty, humour and heart, Deafinition presents the first-hand narrative of Paul and his experiences being deaf. From the physical day-to-day, social interactions, the intricacies of communication and language, the frustrations and challenges we see it all unfold through the inner world of Paul.
Closed Captioning available.

Music and Poetry:

Georgia Horgan’s Music:
Fresh from her debut at the Adelaide Fringe, listen to music from local, singer, songwriter and entertainer, Georgia Horgan. Want to get to know Georgia a little better? View her Access2Arts artist profile here.

#TogetherAtHome Virtual Concerts:
A virtual concert series organised by Global Citizen and World Health Organization in order to promote physical social distancing.
Listen to the concerts via the Global Citizen website or the YouTube Playlist here.

The Sisters of Invention:
An extraordinary, all-original learning disabled girl band.
Check out their music on YouTube and Spotify.

Radio Tutti
A 24/7 radio broadcast curated by Tutti Arts’ own group of dedicated presenters. It features interviews with artists and performers, discussions of current events, playlists to get you through your day, experimental performances, and Tutti’s back catalogue of albums and recorded concerts.

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra – Concert Broadcast:
The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra (MSO) invite you to be part of their new online concert series where they will broadcast performances from the MSO archives. #KeepTheMusicGoing and experience the magic of music from the comfort of your home.

Alison Paradoxx’s Poetry:
Listen to poetry from Performance Poet, Multimedia Artist, Writer and friend of Access2Arts, Alison Paradoxx.

Tour world-renowned museums without even getting off the couch… 

Go on a virtual tour of the Musée d’Orsay in Paris, the British Museum in London, the MoMA in New York,  wonder the courtyards of Barcelona’s Picasso Museum or head to the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. There’s so much more to explore on Google Arts and Culture.

Been through a breakup? Head to the Museum of Broken Relationships. See why a watch is so impactful and contribute to the collection yourself. You can share your break-up story, image or location, time-lock your memory in the vault or send your items to the museum while recovering.

Grab the best seat in the theatre!

Actors Fund’s #StarsInTheHouse:
The Actors Fund is hosting miniature Broadway performances everyday, featuring a range of famous faces.
Closed Captioning available.

National Theatre at Home:
Enjoy world-class theatre all the way from London for free online. Head to the National Theatre’s YouTube Channel for a new performance each Thursday at 7pm UK time  (that’s 5:30am on Fridays here in Adelaide). No need to get up early though! Performances can be streamed for free for a week. See what’s on the line up here.

Audio Description:

Head on an Audio Described tour of London:
Over in the UK, VocalEyes created ‘London Beyond Sight’. These are Audio described introductions to 40 London landmarks, written and narrated by prominent Londoners with VocalEyes describers. There’s more Audio Described content to explore on the VocalEyes website here.

Colour your world!

Print and download a variety of colouring sheets from Together Gallery. Embrace your inner unicorn by downloading this colouring sheet donated by artist Emma Jayne Designs.

Learn Something New:

Head to the Open Culture website to use your time whilst social distancing to learn everything you’ve always wanted to… There’s free online courses, audio books, eBooks, movies, coloring books & more.

Looking to expand your arts knowledge? Click here for a list of 10 University Arts Courses you can take for free.

Listen to an extensive range of podcasts from the Sydney Opera House.

Enjoy immersing yourself in the magic of the arts! Have you stumbled across a wonderful arts find that’s social distancing friendly? We would love if you shared it with us. Flick us an email, or send us a message on our Facebook or Instagram.

Stay safe and look after yourself and others in this unique time. To view up-to-date and reliable information about COVID-19, please visit the Australian Government Department of Health website.