Blog

Read the latest news and views from the Art with Heart team and our collaborators.

Actors playing a son and mother, the mother comforts her son

Gemma Green: The stakes of separation when children are involved

When I realised that the possibility of separating from my husband was actually very real my first thought turned to my daughter.

Ross performing as Sam in our play Stan, pretending to be a dinosaur with character Alex. The floor is littered with dinosaur toys.

Cast announced for our heart-warming family show Stan

Meet Alexandra James, Ross Thompson and Gemma Green- the cast of our new touring production, Stan.

Lead show image for Stan, illustration of two children running through a museum, a dinosaur behind them

Stan roars into venues across the UK for Spring tour

Stan, Art with Heart’s new play for children, roars into venues across the UK for Spring tour.

Rachel wearing a t-shirt that says "#reytqueer" on it

Rachel’s National Coming Out Day reflections

On #NationalComingOutDay Rachel’s been thinking about the ways that we come out, and the ways that they’ve come out.

A box that reads "Space, mobile wellbeing room"

Explore SPACE online- launching our virtual wellbeing space

SPACE is a mobile wellbeing room curated by Mental Practitioner Steph Walker and shaped by the people that occupy it.

A graphic illustration of a person with short grey hair and dark skin. They are holding a telephone up to their ear and smiling.

Dial In – creative activities to build connections

Tired of talking about the pandemic? Out of practice in making conversation? Looking to connect? Dial is here to help.

A painting of Alicia Keys

Announcing our seed fund recipients

We’re over the moon to have received an impressive 88 applications for our seed fund for working class creatives based in Greater Manchester.

Photo of participant Pauline, standing outside her house and wearing sunglasses

Being Transgender: the hurt and the pain – Poetry by Pauline Smith

Pauline identifies as a trans woman, and her powerful poetry really resonated with us after the launch of our podcast, Box Tickers, a few weeks ago.

A wide shot of SPACE, participants are sat chatting around tables under soft lighting

Civic Spaces of Care

The arts has been pushing to be more inclusive for decades now with numerous strategies calling for change; there is clearly a problem in the arts. We know it, we feel it, and we want it to be better.

A white woman with dark brown hair and a fringe. She is smiling.

A Covid-19 Conversation Capsule by Alice Proctor

Alice’s response to our project Dial, where she was one of 5 artists connecting with elders over the phone.

Illustration of lots of different faces with lines drawn between them like webs

Every Act Impacts by Lesley Downing

One of our Dial creative collective Lesley wrote an opinion piece in response to her conversations with artist Alice. Here is Lesley’s call for change.

Chelsea is a mixed-race woman. She has a warm smile on her face and looks happy. She has big, black curly hair that lands just on her shoulders and is wearing a plain black t-shirt.

Refreshing Perspectives by Chelsea Morgan

Chelsea’s response to our project Dial, where she was one of 5 artists connecting with elders over the phone.

Ella wears a white t-shirt and sits outdoors with her chin resting in her hand.

Equal parts strangers and faceless friends by Ella Otomewo

Ella’s response to our project Dial, where she was one of 5 artists connecting with elders over the phone.

Roma is a young white person with short brown hair and a moustache. They sit in a launderette, wearing a knitted sweater.

Meeting is the most human of inventions by Roma Havers

Roma’s response to our project Dial, where she was one of 5 artists connecting with elders over the phone.

Joe is a white man. He wears a pink t-shirt and smiles.

Cards of Connection by Joe Gilmour-Rees

Joe’s response to our project Dial, where she was one of 5 artists connecting with elders over the phone.

Sarah exclaiming joyfully with a piece of paper in her hand

We need more than ‘coming out’ stories to come out

Sarah discusses why theatre needs better queer programming in order to compete with T.V & streaming services.

A headshot of Ross Thompson

Ross Thompson: A letter to the powerful

This is a letter to the powerful, the people in charge. The people who can make the difference we so desperately need.

Photo of participant Janice stood on her street with her dog

What lockdown has meant for older people, and why we need to talk about it

Ageism has been an issue in the UK for years, and the pandemic has only worsened it.

Parent and child having a chat in conversation corner

A people powered programme for change

The pandemic has forced us to rethink and reshape our programme of work to ensure it is responsive and useful.

A group of students at an equalities workshop

This is where the hope comes in: Alice Proctor’s Equalities workshop reflections

Alice Proctor reflects on her experience facilitating our LGBTQ+ History Month equalities workshops in February.

Facilitator Hebe speaking with students in equalities workshop

The difference between tolerance and acceptance: Hebe Reilly’s Equalities workshop reflections

Hebe Reilly reflects on her experience facilitating our LGBTQ+ History Month equalities workshops in February.

Headshot of Jenny Gaskell with a silk pink backdrop.

Quietly and deeply radical: Jenny Gaskell’s Equalities workshop reflections

Jenny Gaskel reflects on her experience facilitating our LGBTQ+ History Month equalities workshops in February.

The Art with Heart equalities workshop handout and business card

Tragedy cannot be the catalyst for change

If #BlackoutTuesday was a day for reflection, then each day forward must be a day marked with action.

Sarah high giving participants at the Golden Years Caravan

Greater Manchester Culture Fund success!!

We are thrilled to announce that we will be part of the Greater Manchester Culture Fund portfolio for 2020-2022.