West Gippsland Arts Centre finds new ways to entertain
West Gippsland Arts Centre has found new ways to engage with the community and support the arts industry after temporarily closing to the public due to COVID-19.
From mid-March, a diverse range of online content has captured the attention of audiences across the region and beyond, with live performances, behind-the-scenes videos and challenges for the community to participate in.
The first feature was the Be Kind Rewind Film Festival held during the April school holidays. The festival invited local families to put their own spin on a scene from their favourite movie and share the video. Seven films were submitted and screened on the page, receiving high levels of engagement from the community. There are plans for the festival to run again later this month during school holidays with a new theme.
Starting in June, the Ghost Light Series kicked off with a performance from local musician Wilson Blackley live on the stage at the Arts Centre. The performance was streamed through Facebook and attracted more than 3000 views. The series has continued throughout the past month, featuring artists Maddy May, Meg Doherty and Matthew Fagan.
West Gippsland Arts Centre's regular email newsletters have featured a calendar of upcoming content to allow subscribers to schedule in time to enjoy live-streamed performances via Facebook. Performances from the Sydney Opera House, Arts Centre Melbourne, The Australian Ballet, Shakespeare's Globe in London, National Theatre (London) and from the local Theatre Gippsland network have been shared so far.
Community members are encouraged to follow the West Gippsland Arts Centre on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. Visit the website www.wgac.com.au or subscribe to the newsletter for regular updates.
As noted by Mayor Danny Goss
"West Gippsland Arts Centre has continued to entertain and lift the spirits of audiences across the region during what has been an incredibly challenging time. One way you can support the arts community is to engage with this content online, whether it's sharing a post you enjoyed or purchasing a ticket to an online performance."
As noted by Manager Arts, Culture and Events Rob Robson
"The core business of the Arts Centre is providing our community with the chance to enjoy and share performances, and the need for the sort of escape this offers has never been greater. Being able to serve up a whole range of experiences for our audience through digital media has been fantastic and we are fortunate to have so much local talent and capability to draw on."
Pictured above: Local performer Wilson Blackley is interviewed by Baw Baw Shire Council's Manager Arts, Culture and Events Rob Robson in early June as part of the Ghost Light Series.
