At this time of year, KWMC and other arts and cultural venues in Bristol and Bath usually announce discounts and deals in the Culture Flash Sale. But 2020 has been no ordinary year…
Instead, from 19 – 23 October, we’ll be joining people across the region in the #LoveBristolArts campaign to highlight simple – and often free – ways to support Bristol and Bath’s cultural sector at this challenging time.
There are lots of ways to help, include joining or watching online events, becoming a member or donor, commissioning or buying art by local artists, and sharing your feedback with venues.
If you’d like to support KWMC, we’ve made a couple of suggestions below:
Check out our annual showcase, which will be happening in mid November – date to be confirmed.
Make a donation if you’re able to – regular payments and one-off donations are hugely appreciated. As a registered charity, financial support from funders and donors helps us keep our programmes free and enables us to support more people to create positive change in their lives and communities.
Subscribe to our regular e-bulletin, which is usually sent on a monthly basis (but has been quarterly since the COVID-19 pandemic began).
Connect with us on social media @knowlewestmedia @JumpKWMC and KWMCtheFactory for updates about our programmes as they happen.
Why support?
The last few months have been hugely challenging for the arts and cultural sector – artists, freelancers, and organisations and venues of all sizes.
For KWMC, the nation-wide COVID-19 lockdown meant we had to delay projects and activities, and we’ve been unable to generate income through rental of our spaces, digital manufacturing kit and creative facilities.
But our work continues! Over the last six months our team have been working hard to reimagine activities that were planned to take place in-person, offering a mixture of online activities and COVID-safe activities for small groups. This includes digital design workshops, artist meet-ups, creative sessions for young people, and building an outdoor pavilion based on designs created by local people.
KWMC supports people of all ages to explore their creativity, learn new skills, and create the change they want to see in their lives and communities. Many of our programmes are designed to support groups who are under-represented in the creative industries and people experience barriers to accessing the opportunities the city has to offer.
Last year we worked with over 7700 people, including 760 young people under 25, across more than 50 projects. Knowle West resident and new entrepreneur Hayley said of her experience with KWMC and KWMC The Factory:
“Before [I came here] I never used to go out anywhere. I wouldn’t have the confidence to ask people about designs or show people my work. I never thought I was creative and now I think I am. I’ve gained more friends that I also speak to outside the group – my confidence has grown a lot.”
We hope you’ll join us in sharing some love for the local arts and cultural sector during the #LoveBristolArts campaign. Each day has a different focus so keep an eye on social media:
- Monday: Launch day!
- Tuesday: Art Galleries, Venues & Visitor Attractions
- Wednesday: Independent Artists & Collectives
- Thursday: Arts Companies & Freelancers
- Friday: Final day!
The #LoveBristolArts campaign is coordinated by the Bristol Arts Marketing Network. Find out more on the Visit Bristol website.
