Blog

It’s Loneliness Awareness Week, and as we reach 15 months since the initial coronavirus lockdown in the UK, the subject can seldom have been more pertinent.

For many, separation has been a defining characteristic of this period – as we’ve all been largely confined to our homes, prevented from seeing wider family and friends by our desire to protect each other. Many of our shared social spaces, including arts venues, museums and libraries as well as pubs, clubs, restaurants and beyond, have been closed or heavily restricted. Even those of us who’ve continued to attend workplaces physically rather than digitally have been unable to engage with colleagues or clients as we would have in the past.

From the 9-13 June 2021, Manchester City of Literature are running Festival of Libraries – 80 free online and in person events across every Greater Manchester borough. The festival, which is supported by Arts Council England, showcases a vibrant programme covering wellbeing, culture and creativity, digital and information and, of course, reading.

We caught up with Jo Flynn from the festival to discuss how everyone can get involved, how they’ve adapted through the pandemic, the role libraries can play in bringing communities together and her hopes for the future.

John Knell from Counting What Counts explains why there’s never been a better moment to rethink and realign your approach to evaluation data.

As we announce a further £3.4 million investment in the single digital presence platform, our Libraries Director Sue Williamson explains what it will offer to libraries and their users.

London’s first dedicated outdoor art walk. Megan Piper, Co-Founder and Director of The Line, tells us about staying ‘open’ over the lockdown period, their new programmes and the benefits of enjoying art and nature simultaneously.

Sir Nicholas Serota, our Chair, explains how the arts should form part of the core in every pupil’s recovery curriculum as we emerge from the pandemic.

As cultural organisations across the country cautiously begin to re-open, Carl Stevens, our Senior Manager for Music/Audience, Insight and Innovation explains how we’ve supported grassroots music venues throughout the pandemic and how we can support them further as audiences begin to return.

For Mental Health Awareness Week, John McMahon explores how this year's theme - nature - can relate to creativity, and how both support mental and emotional wellbeing.