The Arts Society goes online
April 7 2020
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
The Guardian have reported today that The Arts Society have recently announced that they will be online streaming a series of free lectures and Q&As for the over-70s over the upcoming months. This is in response to the current virus crisis, which sensibly prevents the gatherings of large audiences in lecture halls during these troubling times.
This organisation, who I happen to be an accredited lecturer for, coordinates with 380 societies consisting of 90,000 members across the country and beyond to stage lectures related to the arts. The standard of lectures are usually very high, mostly due to the lengthy and intense application process for speakers.
Their first lecture will be on Velazquez’s Las Meninas, by lecturer Jacqueline Cockburn, and will be available through their new digital platform The Arts Society Connected. It seems that you must be a member of the Arts Society to watch the lecture for free.
The future of such events is a very interesting and mildly concerning one. Like many professionals involved with presenting to live audiences, including musicians, actors and performers, I wonder how long it will take for people feel safe enough to gather in enclosed theartres and halls again?
