In 2020, artist Chloe Cooper was due to visit Sheppey to find out more about the Island and what it’s like to live there as part of the Pull Up A Chair artist’s residencies with Quiet Down There . Of course, we all know what happened next – but pandemics and lockdowns didn’t keep Chloe… Continue Reading
We’re looking for a Youth Development Manager to join Ideas Test. You’ll be joining us at a pivotal point in our journey. In 2020 we became a Charitable Interest Organisation and this year ‘novated’ meaning we are now an independent arts organisation leading on the Creative People and Places programme for Medway and Swale. We… Continue Reading
Know someone in Medway or Swale who’s at home and looking for something to be part of? Then share our You Me Us flyer with them. You Me Us is our project to reduce loneliness and in Medway and Swale during Covid-19, through community, art and creativity. If you know someone who might want… Continue Reading
Our new project to combat loneliness during Covid-19 has a name – You Me Us – courtesy of Sittingbourne resident John Greenhill. John, former Chair of Swale Seniors Forum, who also took part in Ideas Test’s Young At HeArt project in 2017, came up with the title, which the Ideas Test team instantly fell in love… Continue Reading
We’re looking for four artists (or artist collectives) for our new project in Swale and Medway. The project will run until June 2021. You’ll be working with us and our community partners to help those most at risk of loneliness as a result of Covid-19. You’ll work with our existing networks of befrienders and volunteers… Continue Reading
Sea Folk Sing has been shortlisted for the National Campaign for the Arts‘ (NCA) Hearts For The Arts Awards 2021. The awards celebrate the unsung heroes of Local Authorities who are championing the arts against all odds. Sea Folk Sing was the 2-year project we co-produced with SparkedEcho. It brought together people over the age… Continue Reading
Above: Harty Ferry, Oare in Swale. Photo taken by Ideas Test Director, Lucy Medhurst on Wednesday 9th December 2020, 2.33 pm. “If it were not for hopes, the heart would break” Thomas Fuller Looking back over this year has made me aware of all the people and things that we are missing. This winter,… Continue Reading
In the first of our Seed Commission blogs, our Producer Sarah gives an update on the projects so far… Our seed commissions gave people in Medway and Swale the opportunity to develop art that responds to this unique, and super challenging moment in time. We wanted the work to help open conversations and help us… Continue Reading
A couple of months ago, we put out a call to apply for a Seed Commission – a way for us to help local artists and community groups get new creative projects off the ground and to try something new in Medway and Swale. We called these ‘Seed’ because we want people to grow… Continue Reading