TAIL Project Unlocked: Spot On Stories
The NRTF TAIL Project, is a 2 year ACE funded initiative that looks to bring the rural touring and library sector together to promote, strengthen and boost opportunity for programming and delivering touring arts in libraries.
The TAIL Project’s ‘Unlocked’ series works by promoting digital and COVID safe content to libraries from across the rural touring sector to encourage collaboration and support libraries to discover and deliver a high quality creative programme to their service users despite ongoing restrictions.
This month we’re putting the spotlight on….
Spot On Lancashire, who bring professional performances to rural communities and library spaces all over the county, launched a digital project entitled Spot On Stories when lockdown began in March 2020.
In partnership with Lancashire Libraries, the intention was to bring artists and their pre-recorded stories directly to Lancashire audiences in their homes. This offered audiences access to great art when they wanted, where they wanted. As the lockdown continued, the focus of the project shifted slightly with a marketing angle of ‘taking ten minutes out’, encouraging people to set aside the stresses of the day and use these video stories as a means to indulge in culture, reflect and rest.
The first mini-show to be broadcast was for children and families. Theatre Fideri Fidera’s ‘Meet Ugg ‘n’ Ogg’ was an adaptation of their live show which was due to be hosted in Lancashire over Easter 2020. Spot On worked alongside the theatre company to create an exclusive performance for Lancashire audiences which aired in April 2020 via the Spot On Facebook page, website and YouTube channel. The programme of events continued to grow each week culminating in a successful commission from The Space for further digital mentoring and support and two more seasons of activity. (Further library funding has just been secured for a ‘Flash Fiction’ season soon to be launched)
Spot On Stories content is available for free via social media channels and over the year has welcomed over 30 co-hosts who can share the videos with their own audiences. Spot On is keen to hear from other library services and organisations who are interested in becoming co-hosts. With nearly 50,000 views of seasons 2 and 3 it’s clear there is an audience for digital performance and increasing the geographic spread of the sharing results in additional brand awareness and helps increase public awareness of the artists and their work.
The project has commissioned over 40 short videos to date; a mixture of content specifically made for children and families, grown-ups, a two part panto themed production, traditional tales made modern, contemporary dance, music and even bingo… there’s a lot to choose from!
Programme Manager, Lyndsey Wilson explains: “Creating these micro shows hasn’t just offered the Library Service a means of increasing contact with their users, it has been a lifeline for artists and for the Spot On team who needed to continue producing something positive during this uncertain time.”
Cultural Development Manager for Lancashire County Council, Heather Fox notes: “Spot On responded so quickly and positively to serve library users with some amazing stories. It has meant that we’ve been able to sustain engagement with our users throughout these difficult times.”
What began as a temporary project to fill a programming gap, providing some much needed funding to artists and providing audiences with great content, has blossomed into an additional strand of work for this organisation, with intentions for this programme to continue as part of the Spot On cultural offer. If you are interested in learning more about the project and getting involved either as an artist or a co-host please contact Spot On for further details.
For more information including the programme of events and links to each show visit www.spotonlancashire.co.uk
Spot On Youtube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9MHihzoChldjiE54VLVi1A
Spot On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/spotonlancashire/videos
-ENDS-
Notes for editors:
High res images available on request
Spot On Lancashire is a countywide service which enables people living in remote and rural communities to enjoy high quality live arts events on their doorstep. Spot On do this by working in partnership with over 200 volunteers and appear in over 50 different small places each year.
Spot On enables volunteers to choose and host professional performances and our support makes shows which could only otherwise be seen in urban arts centres, available to smaller communities.
Spot On is delivered by Blackburn-based Culturapedia, as part of the Cheshire Lancashire Touring Partnership with Lancashire County Council and Cheshire Rural Touring Arts.
Spot On is part of the national portfolio of the Arts Council England and is also invested in by Lancashire County Council and the districts of Fylde, Ribble Valley, Wyre and the Unitary Authority of Blackburn with Darwen.
Spot On can be contacted at:
c/o Culturapedia
The Barn, 61A Manor Road, Blackburn BB2 6LX
01254 660360