Bristol Arts Channel: reaching local audiences through lockdown

As new themes and conversations emerge from the Bristol + Bath Creative R+D partners, we’re taking the opportunity to showcase some of these thoughts with you. Through a series of free, online talks we’ll share new insights arising from creative industries and technology research in the South West. This month we’ll be delving into the notion of physical/digital event hybridity, hearing how the Bristol Arts Channel brought a diverse programme of in-person cultural content online in record time.

Between 1 June & 6 July 2020, Bristol Arts Channel worked with over 60 organisations, festivals & independent artists based in Bristol to showcase a programme of over 140 online events, reimagined & accessible for an audience at home. From day-long music festivals, reworked archive recordings to live cinema watch parties, Bristol Arts Channel explored how a digital offer in a localised region could contribute to creating a sense of community in a time of social distancing.

In this free online panel discussion, join Clare Reddington, Watershed CEO, Katherine Jewkes, Curator Bristol Arts Channel and La Toyah McAllister-Jones, Executive Director of St Pauls Carnival to hear the story of how the Bristol Arts Channel was imagined and delivered. The session will explore the what, how & why of the initiative, with key insights from the Bristol Arts Channel team on the development & possible futures of the project.

There will be a Q&A session from the audience after the panel discussion.

Bristol Arts Channel is supported by Bristol & Bath Creative R&D and The Space, alongside a team of volunteers and its founding partners - Watershed, Bristol Old Vic, Colston Hall, St Pauls Carnival, Trinity, Spike Island, St George’s Bristol, MAYK, Arnolfini, Paraorchestra and Bristol Museums.

This event will have live BSL interpretation.

If you have specific access requirements please email info@bristolbathcreative.org

Katherine Jewkes, Curator, Bristol Arts Channel

Katherine is an award-winning Creative Consultant and Digital Producer, with over a decade of experience of bringing adventurous ideas to life. As a Creative lead she’s designed experiences for clients including Twitter, the Royal Shakespeare Company and the BBC. She's worked in Digital Leadership roles within a number of arts organisations including Battersea Arts Centre (Digital Producer), National Theatre Wales (Digital Associate), Watershed (Producer). Manchester International Festival (Interim Digital Lead), The Space (Senior Associate) delivering organisational Culture Change around technology adoption and innovation.

Clare Reddington, Watershed CEO

Clare is the Industry Co-Director of the Bristol+Bath Creative R+D. Clare joined Watershed in 2004, establishing its creative technology programmes including Pervasive Media Studio and Playable City. Clare works with industry, academic and creative partners from around the world to champion inclusion, support talent and develop new ideas.

LaToyah McAllister-Jones, Executive Director of St Pauls Carnival

LaToyah is the Executive Director of St Pauls Carnival and previously worked as the Head of Operations at Ujima Radio. LaToyah has significant experience working across a range of communities and cultural institutions in the city of Bristol particularly with African Caribbean-led community organisations.

LaToyah sits on the board of Bristol Festivals, a membership organisation which represents festivals and events in the city. She also sits on the board of United Communities, a Bristol-based housing association with a focus on community housing. She is also a Clore Social Fellow and action learning facilitator.