COVID-19: How can we support each other?

17 Mar 2020

Off The Record

In Good Company has always been led by independent producers actively working in the industry to tour and develop new work and it is funded in exactly the same way as other project grants. As such we share many of the same concerns you may have.

We’re a small team, who are working really hard in these uncertain times to ensure our artists get paid and supported, and we expect you will be too. We thought we’d let you know our Facebook Messenger and DMs will be open for you to slide on in there and have an Off the Record Chat about your live projects, if you so wish. Here are the next few Off the Record Chats:

Tuesday 31st March – 15:00 – 16:00 

Thursday 2nd – 12:00 – 13:00

Head over to Twitter or Facebook –

We will continue to do these Off the Record Chats with extra times/dates as the days goes on. The details will always be displayed on this post whilst still continuing to spread the word on In Good Company’s social media channels.

East Midlands Artists Corona Virus Impact Fund 

We’re working with Rafia, a freelance producer based in the East Midlands to fundraise for the East Midlands Artists Coronavirus Fund to support the artists/freelancers/self employed workers in the East Midlands who work in arts and culture. Inspired by the likes of Luke Barnes (Liverpool), Bryony Kimmings (London) & Amahra Spence (West Midlands) as well as the outpouring of kindness and community in response to the outbreak.

Aiming to raise £2000 and distribute £200 to 10  people on a first come first served basis. If you need to access this fund because you have been affected by loss of income due to COVID-19 then please do get in touch. It can be for rent, childcare, groceries etc – there will be no questions asked.

Please DM @rafiaproduces on twitter or instagram to access the fund and set yourself up as a beneficiary..

If you are in a position give money to this fund, please do – donations of all sizes are welcome. If you are able to share the link to the GoFundMe that will help too and is appreciated.

Union producers have put together all of the current Hardship funds that have been set up across the country in one handy spreadsheet. Check this out if you need access to these funds or if you would like to donate.

More Useful Resources 

Right across the industry people are pulling together at this time of national crisis, we are collating case studies, resources, and examples of best practice. The list below has some of these in it, and we’ll be adding to it as the weeks go on. Email s.hack@derby.ac.uk to let us know about other things you’ve seen.

  • Latest statement & information from Arts Council regarding COVID -19
  • Partner venue Nonsuch have just launched Creative Quarantine – a  free daily email full of creative adventures & activities for all ages to do at home. Sign up and receive the first creative idea in your inbox on Monday 23rd.
  • Our very own Ruby Glaskin has created an Covid-19 Income Risk Assessment template .
  • The Culture in Quarantine Fund is a new commissioning strand launched by BBC Arts with Arts Council England to support England-based artists of any discipline to produce new works in creative media – video, audio and interactive – in spring 2020. For more info check it out here
  • Latest information about grants and support available for buisness
  •  An example of Covid-19 Contingency planning  – Copy of Covid19Contigencyplan
  • The great John Kirby, programme officer at partner venue Attenborough Arts Centre, Leicester. John has set up a temporary twitter account to support artists/companies within the midlands, available for advice & help 9am-5pm, Mon- Fri, drop him a message!
  • Molly & Scottee are running artist & producing mentoring sessions that you can apply to through Room to Respond 2020. More information on how to apply to these & key dates can be found here.
  • Theatre Helpline is a free, independent & confidential service that provides support to people working within the theatre industry. Call or email on 0800 915 4617 advice@theatrehelpline.org
  • Mind Charity have created an online article with advice & guidance around mental health during these uncertain times.
  • If you are self isolating or working from home, sign up here to receive daily creative, fun and accessible challenges to do at home. Get people connecting and creating.
  • Whats on Stage have compiled a fab list of theatre, dance & opera  that you can watch online for free.
  • Paul Taylor-Mills – has set up a Crowd Funding Page ‘Donate to FFF (Funds for Freelancers) A financial resource for actors, creatives and ushers working in theatres. The Turbine Theatre is a charity led & If you’re in need of financial support then all you need to do is email : submissions@paultaylormills.com with a few sentences about your situation. All emails will be kept completely confidential. The board will draw funds every ten days depending on how our fundraising efforts are going and will prioritise donations at their discretion.
  • Nic Connaughton has started a twitter thread, to reach out and ask what people need & what can people offer. Lots of creatives are offering their services free and everyone is discussing advice & tips.
  • Voluntary Arts have created a daily ‘Creative network’ Zoom, an online get together for all creatives to have the opportunity to talk to others dealing with the challenging current situation. Daily from  9.30am-10.30am.
  • Exeunt Magazine have compiled an online article full of financial guidance, livestreams and where to watch theatre for free online.
  • UK Theatre Industry Coronavirus Support Facebook Group – A  group for the theatre industry, to share tips, advice and a space to chat.
  • Swings&Roundabouts are starting a buddy system to help creatives keep connecting and talking whilst they are either self isolating or working from home. Email sroundabouts@gmail.com with HELLO in the subject line. They will connect you with another creative to have a chat or even collaborate?
  • If you need a 5 minute break take a look at these fantastic virtual tours of different museum exhibitions from around the world.
  • Paptango Theatre Company have put aside £2000 to support artists to keep creating. Write a monologue & 10 entries will receive £100 and 10 actors will receive £100 to read them.
  • Eve Leigh has created a fantastic remote workshop for a digital body through a twitter thread, using all free resources.
  • Tim Clare has create a free Couch to 80k Writing Boot Camp that delivers a complete 8 week fiction writing course over 48 episodes. All it asks of you is 10 minutes writing each day!
  • If you are an artist based in the South East Farnham Maltings are offering a limited rolling programme of grants of £500 – £5000 to create new work *right now* which responds to and supports the communities in the South East in these difficult times.
  • For Parents, guardians & grandparents who are at home with children, Ditto Theatre Company  have placed their education packs online to help you keep them engaged and still learning from home. Specifically designed for KS1 & KS2, full of information, devising tasks & questions. Darwin the Chimp & Rocket Girl  

Remember to that currently our #TakeOff opportunity for new writers will be going ahead as planned with Nottingham Playhouse and Arena Theatre, so use that social distancing time wisely and read the Guide For Applicants for full details bit.ly/2x4xPu1

Deadline: 11.59PM 3 April