Barrie Farnsworth has news that a local arts charity has received a hefty sum of National Lottery funding; and Hardwick Hall hosts outdoor cinema experiences this month.
THE Level Centre at Rowsley (DE4 2EL), which specialises in creative projects for and by learning disabled people, disabled creatives, young autistic and neurodivergent people, has received over £250,000 of National Lottery funding to help increase its reach and engagement.
The arts charity will use the money to develop their ‘LEVEL – Next Steps’ project, including an outdoor programme within a new Bio-diverse Sensory Garden, to run across the next three years.
Alongside their current work with disabled and learning disabled participants, the project will engage with the local community to improve mental health and social engagement, and broaden research around the benefits of working outdoors.
The centre currently employs four members of staff, with only two full time; but the funding means that they will be able to grow its team, increasing capacity and offering more to the local community.
Kerry Andrews, executive and artistic director at Level Centre, says: “We are thrilled and deeply grateful for this generous funding! Over the next three years it will help us to expand our community workshop programme, develop and maintain our biodiverse sensory garden, and support our capacity.
“We’re also excited to establish a dedicated volunteer programme, enhancing social connection and supporting wellbeing, and giving opportunities to learn about and care for our environment.”
Meanwhile, the Level Centre has two exhibitions, which opened in July and will run until September 4. They are ‘No Sleep Just Clouds’ by Babeworld and a Public Open Exhibition.
Taking visual inspiration from gaming and pop culture, No Sleep Just Clouds is an immersive storytelling experience following a neurodivergent artist, and their mission to create the ultimate, perfect piece of work. It’s a deep-dive into the obsession of providing a distraction – in this case, clouds! A luscious ambient soundtrack accompanies the installation.
No Sleep Just Clouds is an enlightening take on how people experience creative spaces, reflecting Babeworld’s research into sensory spaces for neurodivergent people. It’s an Unlimited UK Partner Award 2023 commission with Level Centre and The Art House, Wakefield.
Entry is free. For more information about the exhibition visit: www.levelcentre.com/no-sleep-just-clouds
Now in its fourth year, the Public Open Exhibition features work from contemporary visual artists from across the UK. It showcases work produced by and for learning disabled, neurodivergent and disabled artists.
You can vote for which artist wins the People’s Choice Award, either by visiting the exhibition for free and voting there, or online by checking out all the entries at the website levelcentre.com The winning artist will receive a bundle of art from the sponsor, Turners Art Supplies.
More info here: www.levelcentre.com/public-open-exhibition-2024
Outdoor films at Hardwick Hall
HARDWICK Hall will be the backdrop for a series of outdoor Adventure Cinema experiences this month.
The evening programme includes Grease Sing-A-Long on August 8 (gates open 6pm, show starts 7.30pm); Top Gun on August 9 (gates open 6pm, show starts 8pm); Mamma Mia on August 10 (gates open 5pm, show starts 6.30pm); and Jurassic Park on August 11 (gates open 6pm, show starts 7.30pm).
Day time Adventure Cinema experiences includes Finding Nemo on August 9 (gates open 1.30pm, show starts 3pm); Frozen Sing-A-Long on August 10 (gates open 12pm, show starts 1.30pm); and The Gruffalo/Stick Man on August 11 (gates open 10am, show starts 11am).
Hot food and snacks are available and there is a bar (plastic and paper cups only). Picnics are welcome. For details, please visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/hardwick or adventurecinema.co.uk