We understand that this is a difficult time for everyone but there are still opportunities to enjoy the arts and creativity as we social distance and isolate. We at Age & Opportunity arts have been impressed by the many organisations around Ireland who have taken their work online and made it fully accessible at this time. So, to make it easier for anyone who wants to taste all of the amazing work out there no matter what age they are, we’ve decided to gather a list of online opportunities across a range of activities – from watching opera to dance classes – which you can take part in without having to leave the house. These are categorised by theme, so we hope there’s something for everyone.
We know that a lot of focus right now is on accessing the outside world through the online world, and that this isn’t possible or easy for everyone. Many of the arts and crafts activities can be printed out so if you know someone who would appreciate it, why not print some off to leave at their door step?
Below are new events that have been shared with us, but do look back over our previous lists here, here, here, here, here, here, and here for lots more inspiration and things to do online.
People Making: Creativity at Home (including care homes)
The Model presented an exciting programme on their digital platforms for adults, artists and the general public. These discussion groups, talks, workshops, and performances featured artists Michael McLoughlin, Clodagh Emoe, Rosie O’Reilly, Nic Flanagan, Forensic Oceanography, Andy Parsons and many others, and many remain live for your enjoyment.
Access all RHA School lectures online, for free! All are professionally recorded and following a one time only sign in, you can view lectures at any time.
Acclaimed folk singer-songwriter Laura Marling, is giving a free guitar lesson every Sunday at 7pm on her Instagram Live. Previous tutorials can also be re-watched on her IGTV.
Every Wednesday at 6pm, join New York City Ballet on Instagram Live for At the Barre With…, a series of ballet-inspired movement classes taught by NYCB dancers. Suitable for people of all ages and levels of training, each class will be available to watch after the livestream concludes on NYCB’s IGTV channel.
Every Tuesday at 7.30pm, join Artist Network dlr for a collaborative drawing session, facilitated by Darina Meagher. Hosted on Zoom these sessions are free and open to all – bringing together visual artists, writers, musicians, working together at the same time.
You can find more info on how to take part here.
Attending Online Events: Listings
Join Cúirt International Festival of Literature for a very special event celebrating the launch of The Wild Laughter, the latest novel from Caoilinn Hughes. Caoilinn will be joined in conversation by Kevin Barry.
While the Galway Music Residency’s events are suspended, they’re sharing insights from the members of ConTempo String Quartet along with some of their favorite pieces of music. This week in their Connecting with ConTempo series the members of ConTempo chat Beethoven, Borodin, playing in a quartet and their lives in Galway.
Brian Toomey wrote this song during the past lockdown for all to hear. He is 72 and for the past 10 years has been working in Nursing Homes in the Wexford/Carlow area, bringing lots of song, music and storytelling to all the residents.
Irish National Opera’s new, socially-distanced, lockdown series, in partnership with Irish Chamber Orchestra. Eight episodes on irishnationalopera.ie from Tuesday 7 July.
Other Voices Courage: Cormac Begley joined by dancer Stephanie Keane, Laoise Kelly & Anna Mieke. Live stream on Thursday 16 July at 8pm. Watch worldwide via YouTube, Facebook and RTE.ie.
ON/OFF is the exciting new programme of free online and offline activities + exhibitions from PhotoIreland Festival. This 11th edition of the festival features brilliant highlights fit for all audiences. Check out what’s on here.
IFI Irish Film Archive: Online exhibitions and the IFI Player, which includes a large collection of TV commercials from the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s
MoLI (Museum of Irish Literature) has its own online radio station, MoLI Radio, featuring 24/7 broadcasting of new commissioned writing, discussion interviews, radio plays and documentary.
National Museum of Ireland Resilience – a response to the current Covid-19 crisis. See also the NMI homepage for a wide range of online exhibitions from each of the four sites.
Playwright Lisa Tierney-Keogh has adapted and updated the winner of the 2020 Irish Times Irish Theatre Award for Best New Play to reflect the lockdown. This Beautiful Virtual Village will be available online from 7.30pm on 17th August for one month only. Information and tickets here.
As part of their JoyceStream series, New York’s Joyce Theater is streaming some stunning dance productions.
Following the success of their series of lockdown commissions, Fishamble: The New Play Company is staging 10 Tiny Plays through a mix of live performances at the O’Reilly Theatre and digital media pieces on Fri 24 Jul at 7pm.
Tips and Tricks: Resources for artists and creativity leaders
Laois County Council Arts Office, in association with Creative Ireland Laois and Dunamaise Arts Centre, invites applications for a Writer in Residence (mid-August to mid-December 2020). Hosted by Dunamaise Arts Centre the Residency is open to writers originally from or currently based in the Midlands region, working in any genre (e.g. fiction, non-fiction, poetry, script-writing, etc) and will allow time for the writer’s own work as well as a programme of engagement and interaction with the local community. Full details here.
Muisc Network Ireland have a series of videos on YouTube, Taking Charge of Your Performance Career 2020
Project Arts Centre invites submissions from Ireland-based artists for making new work. Future Forecast: HAVEN will award 3 commissions valued at €5000 each. More information here.
Arts & Disability Ireland presents Access into Action, a webinar series developed to support Irish arts and culture professionals to create accessible content and experiences for audiences with disabilities.
