Looking back at 2021

We’re winding down and saying a fond farewell to 2021. What a year it’s been, full of activity both online and off!

Needless to say our engagement groups have been very busy. At the start of the year, like the rest of the country, we were in lockdown. This meant our sessions continued online. However in May 2021 our Acting for Camera group led the way with our first ever Blended Session which was both in-person & online AT THE SAME TIME!

When lockdown lifted fully, our Interarts group were some of the first welcomed back to a wonderfully refurbished venue, Contact theatre!

Before long it was back to business for all our group including the Art & Design lot at Gorse Hill Studios. This group have been working to visualise personal projects and get to grips with all sorts of art skills to help them communicate their ideas!

A massive congratulations to Phil whose work has been chosen for the 2022 Manchester Open exhibition!

Of course there’s loads that has been going on-away from our engagement work too! Here are some of our highlights!

MENTORING OUR PUPPET MAKING MASTER, JAMIE

Right at the start of the year we began a mentoring programme with Jamie Marks; an up and coming puppet maker. We teamed Jamie up with performer and puppeteer, Aisling Leyne for a series of mentoring sessions which couldn’t have gone better. Read more about these sessions HERE and check out some of Jamie’s masterful work below.

I’M A CELEBRITY STAR RAISES MONEY FOR PROUD AND LOUD ARTS

Before he went into the ‘jungle’ (well, before he went to a castle in wales), Corrie star Simon Gregson took a turn on the well loved gameshow Celebrity Catch Phrase. In February 2021 we we’re thrilled to see our friend and supporter, Simon raise a whopping £3600 for Proud and Loud Arts!

Thank you Simon!

ARTS COUNCIL FUNDS OUR ARTISTS!

In March 2021 when our very own Chrissy Carol Jones received their Arts Council England funding and began work on Shadow Girl Origins. Chrissy was thrilled to start her journey with this project which we’re looking forward to sharing with you in 2022.

Catch up with all the goings on by reading our blog posts HERE.

Not long after this great news we were in for another treat as 2 more of our artists received Arts Council England Funding for their projects!

We’ll be keeping you posted on ‘Spaced’ a project in development by Michael Gleave and ‘Staring At The Walls’ being created by Kelly Hoye so stay tuned for that in 2022!

WE WERE HONOURED TO MEET HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN

Who could forget in July 2021 when our very own Janet Charlesworth and Imogen Barton-Wells attended a ceremony marking the 600th Anniversary Celebration of the Collegiate Church, Manchester cathedral. Our team was invited to represent the arts sector in Manchester. It was a wonderful occasion which you can read all about HERE.

WE LAUNCHED ‘LOOK OUT’ EVENTS ACROSS GRATER MANCHESTER

Starting August 2021 we launched our ‘Look Out’ events!

Our social trips to cultural spaces across Greater Manchester and beyond ensure that disabled people can experience culture together. We started by visiting Manchester Arts Gallery and the Grayson Perry Exhibition. We’ve also visited Salford Quays to experience ‘The Interrogation’ from Access All Areas and Charlene Salter, Shaun Dunne & Marmelo. Read more about those events HERE. They’ll be loads more ‘Look Out’ events in 2022.

We’ve got plenty of plans for the new year, so stay up to date by following our social channels and don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter HERE.

See you soon!