Resources for accessing arts and culture remotely 2022

The following resources have been created to accompany our webinar with 100% Digital Leeds in January 2022. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of everything that is available but rather to interest and inspire our readers about what it is possible to do online. Many activities are free, some come at a cost and most are based in Leeds but when compiling this list we have been keen to include those organisations who have a keen interest in supporting and improving health and wellbeing for their participants.

Performing arts

eg music, dance drama

MUSIC:

Swan Song Project: Virtual Songwriting Service is free and available to anyone facing the end of their life through terminal illness or otherwise or dealing with a bereavement. All sessions can be done over Zoom and they have ways of recording virtually as well. Find out more on the Swan Song Project website here.

You can find recordings of music activities such as live streams and recordings of Leeds Lunchtime Organ Music, The Brudenell ‘Social Distancing’ Club to listen to and enjoy and Made with Music’s Early Years Music Classes for children under 5 and their families where you can join in.

There are also online music activities running through the week:

Mondays at 10am Breathe AHR: Melodies for Mums FREE 10 week, online programme for new mums with babies aged 0-12 months starting 17th January 2022. Learn more on the Breathe AHR website.

Tuesdays at 1pm Opera North: Sing Online, Opera North’s weekly Zoom sessions, provide a space to have fun and meet people from across the country, all whilst learning to sing a range of music – from folk songs to opera, show tunes and more! Cost £6 per session. Running from 18 January to 15 February, then from 1 March to 29 March 2022. Learn more on the Open North website.

Tuesdays at 1pm Shared Harmonies: Relax Breathe Harmonise - Online sessions focussing on breath control, relaxation practice, pacing & self-management of symptoms through guided exercises and singing for people experiencing Long Covid. Learn more on the Shared Harmonies website.

Tuesdays at 8pm Cloth Cat - Mos Eisolation Cantina Online Open Mic Night A catch up and weekly online version of Cloth Cat’s long running open mic with like-minded musicians and friendly faces. Learn more on Cloth Cat website or Facebook page.

Wednesday at 11am Ascendance: Sing with Parkinson's Zoom with Georgia. Pay as you go £5 per session. Learn more on the Ascendance website.

Wednesdays at 6pm Leeds Community Healthcare - Giving Voice Choir A weekly choirs for adults with neurological conditions and their carers running in-person and by Zoom every week. Suggested donation £3. Contact givingvoice@outlook.com or 07944 699313 for more information.

Wednesdays at 7pm - 8.30pm Leeds Peoples Choir are welcoming new choir members. Attend in person in central Leeds or on Zoom. Email: leedspeopleschoir@gmail.com for more info or find more information on the Leeds People’s Choir website.

Thursdays at 3.30pm Old Fire Station Childrens Choir This choir runs is aimed at 12-18 year olds and runs weekly via Zoom and in person. Contact jelenaz@space2.org.uk

Thursdays at 5.30pm Space 2 Leeds - Space 2 Sing Singing together for wellbeing, in person and on Zoom. Contact paulb@space2.org.uk

Thursdays at 7.30pm Swan Song Project - FREE Weekly Singing Group This has regular members from all around the world. All of the group members are muted and sing along with Jess who leads the session so it's a great place for people who like to sing but are self-conscious in front of others. Running from 13th January to 24th March. Find out more on the Swan Song Eventbrite page here.

Saturdays at 11am People in Action - Singing with Cherie Aimed at people with learning disabilities & autism Contact People in Action to join by telephone on 0113 244 3729 or by email at info@peopleinaction.org.uk.

DANCE AND PERFORMANCE:

Oxford-based Mumo have music and movement videos designed both for young children and families and for older people including those living with Parkinson’s and their carers to join in. You can also enjoy recorded performances such as Opera North and Phoenix Dance’s Rites of Spring.

There are also online dance activities running through the week:

Mondays at 11am Ascendance: Dance Burst Zoom with Natalie. Pay as you go £5 per session. Learn more on the Ascendance website.

Tuesdays at 11am Ascendance: Dance with Parkinson's Zoom with Rachel. Pay as you go £5 per session. Learn more on the Ascendance website.

Wednesdays at 2.30pm Yorkshire Dance: Dance On Zoom Class Dance On is an exciting project for over 55s bringing citywide dance programmes to Bradford, Leeds and Doncaster. Please email hannahtreharne@yorkshiredance.com for your Zoom link

Thursdays at 7pm RJC Dance - Adult Community Dance Class This class is ideal for anyone aged 18 and over looking to improve their dance skills, rediscover their rhythm, meet new people and have fun. It is running both in person at the Mandela Centre and online via Zoom. No previous dance experience is necessary. Come along and enjoy our 'sizzler' class with a variety of different styles from Soca, Reggae and a bit of Streetemporary. Classes are £3 each to join in online, or £5 if you're coming in-person, and you pay as you go. Book your place now on the RJC Dance website!

Fridays at 10.30pm Yorkshire Dance: Dance On Zoom Class Dance On is an exciting project for over 55s bringing citywide dance programmes to Bradford, Leeds and Doncaster.
Please email hannahtreharne@yorkshiredance.com for your Zoom link

Fridays at 10.30am Ascendance: Making a Show Zoom with Rachel and Emma. For the over 50s. Learn some of Ascendance's dances, contribute your own ideas and have the option to work towards a performance. Pay as you go £5 per session. Learn more on the Ascendance website.

Fridays at 12.30pm RJC Dance: Adults and Elders Class The free sessions take place online via Zoom each Friday between 12:30 - 13:30. Each one is designed for older adults, to get moving, enjoy some exercise and take part in some dancing. Janetta Maxwell takes each session, bringing music that's sure to get toes tapping, faces smiling and the memories flooding back. For more information and to book your place, please email stef@rjcdance.org.uk or visit the RJC Dance website.

Digital Arts

Skippko and Carers Leeds - Studio 42. This new year-long digital photography project open to all carers in Leeds and is running to December 2022. The project will take place both online using zoom as well as face-to-face sessions in Holbeck or in outdoor spaces. An introductory meeting will take place on Thursday 17th February at 1pm on Zoom where you can learn more and ask questions too. To join this meeting visit: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9839114005 on the day at 1pm. Alternatively for more information and to register your interest please email ‘cath.skippko@gmail.com‘ or telephone Skippko directly on 0113 234 5355.

Visual Arts, Creativity and Crafts

Purple Patch Arts - Daily Activities This year-long list of activities designed for people with learning disabilities and autistic people may be of interest to a wider audience. Learn more on the Purple Patch Arts website.

Purple Patch Arts - Colouring Sheets These sheets were designed for people with learning disabilities and autistic people but may be of interest to a wider audience and complement the daily activities. Learn more on the Purple Patch Arts website.

The Grief Series - The Ofrenda The Ofrenda is part of an ongoing collaboration between artists from Zion Studio in Mexico City and Ellie Harrison from The Grief Series in Leeds. It is currently on display in the windows of CLAY: Centre for Live Art Yorkshire until Saturday 19th March 2022. If there is someone you'd like to remember you can submit a picture and a memory of a person or a pet that you have loved and lost with the form below and The Grief Series will add it to the Ofrenda. The Ofrenda will be updated regularly. It could be someone you’ve lost recently or a bereavement from decades ago. You can make your own submission online here.

Inkwell Arts Enjoy a wide collection of arts and other activity videos including cooking, craft and meditation on the Inkwell Arts Youtube Channel.

Arts and Minds Network - Online art exhibition and in-person and online meet-ups Have a look at a range of art-work made by people in Leeds on their website and find out how to join the network for free and be invited to online meet ups on the Arts and Minds Website.

Tuesdays at 4pm Space 2 Leeds - Space2Create This Young Peoples Art Club is aimed at 12-18 year olds and runs weekly via Zoom. Contact jelenaz@space2.org.uk

Culture

Visit Yorkshire - Virtual Tours of Yorkshire Explore all sorts of local gems from Stump Cross Cavern to Leeds Arena and Hyde Park Cinema.

Google Arts and Culture Among arts and culture around the globe and a range of games and activities you will find collections from Leeds Galleries and Museums, the University of Leeds Library Galleries and Northern Ballet.

Leeds International Film Festival: Leeds Film Player Find new releases of recommended and new films all year round - usually costing £3.50 to £4.50 - on the Leeds Film Player website.

National Science and Media Museum: The Reconciliation Project is a film project that explores how Covid-19 lockdowns and restrictions have impacted human relationships around the world. The online exhibition is available on the museum website here until 10th April 2022.

Hyde Park Picture House: Hiding in Plain Sight Audio Tour During the walking tour you will be guided around the city centre to visit sites of historic cinemas, learn about Leeds cinematic heritage, and discover the physical traces that can still be found, hiding in plain sight. The tour is completely free and starts at the Leeds Train Station on City Square. It will take roughly 1 ½ - 2 hours (1.5 miles) and is at ground level throughout. You will need a mobile device and data connection to access the tour website. To start your tour visit the Hiding in Plain Sight Walking Tour website and follow the instructions.

Thursdays at 3.30pm Your Backyard CIC: Film and TV Club A club for senior men in Leeds. Email Kyra@yourbackyard.org.uk to let them know you are interested.

For further information on arts, culture and creative activities happening across Leeds visit Leeds Inspired here.

To learn more about 100% Digital Leeds and their work visit their website here.

To keep up to date with arts and health in Leeds and beyond join Leeds Arts, Health and Wellbeing Network quickly and for free here.

We have checked the above details with these organisations and their websites but if you find any inaccuracies please contact our project officer at g.montgomerie@leeds.ac.uk and we will make corrections.