An Epic Day of Reflection, Recollection and Resetting

Fri 18 Dec

Like everyone, OutdoorArtsUK has spent most of the year looking at and talking to screens. So, to end the year, we’re biting the 2020 bullet for an online marathon of reflection, recollection and resetting – ending with a bit of festive fun.

We’ll share experiences, hear stories from the outdoor coalface, consider what we’ve learned and, crucially, what we will take forward as we start planning for the future.

12:00-13:00 OAUK 2020 Reflections 1: Reinventing Outdoor Festivals

With ever-evolving guidance, festivals had to adapt regularly and rapidly – many interesting ways of working came into focus – we saw a shift to smaller events, audience controls, online activity and durational installations. With…

  • Bradley Hemmings (Greenwich+Docklands International Festival)
  • Clive Lyttle (Certain Blacks)
  • Gwen Hales (The Bristol Coddywomple)
  • Rachel Maddix (Bournemouth Arts by the Sea)
  • Stella Hall (The Festival of Thrift)

13:00-14:00 Lunchtime Mingle – we’ll keep the room open to catch up over lunch.

14:00-15:00 OAUK 2020 Reflections 2: Global Perspectives

Around the world, numerous different factors have affected our lives and our culture, from Black Lives Matter to Extinction Rebellion, from Withdrawal Agreements to an ‘important’ election, we’ll hear from some of our international friends about their experiences and what the future might hold. With…

  • Jens Frimann Hansen (Passage Festival, Denmark)
  • Julia von Wild (Tête-à-Tête Festival, Germany)
  • Lucy Medlycott (Irish Street Arts, Circus and Spectacle Network, Ireland)
  • Mike Ribalta (FiraTàrrega, Spain)
  • Monique Martin (Harlem Stage, New York, USA)

15:00 Afternoon Tea Talk – the room will stay open for the chance to chat.

16:00-17:00 OAUK 2020 Reflections 3: Reimagining Outdoor Performances

Outdoor companies and artists are a resilient lot and throughout the year have responded to changing circumstances with imagination and sensitivity, we’ll hear just a few of the stories. With…

  • Leon Patel (Global Grooves)
  • Mark Tillotson (MarkMark Productions)
  • Pete Gunson (Pif-Paf Theatre)
  • Tom Dixon (The Handlebards)
  • Vicki Amedume (Upswing)

17:00 Cocktail Chat – grab a drink with friends before our final event of the day.

17:30-18:30 OAUK presents “The 12 Days of Lockdown”

Angus (OAUK) and Lorna (Gobbledegook Theatre) introduce our festive singalong with…

  • Bash Street Theatre
  • East Midlands Caribbean Carnival Arts Network
  • Desperate Men
  • Global Grooves
  • Highly Sprung Performance Company
  • Jon Hicks
  • Just More Productions
  • Mimbre
  • Motionhouse
  • Paschale Straiton
  • Puppets with Guts
  • Wild ‘n’ Beets’ Bingo Lingo