"How the covid-19 crisis is affecting us," Queens Park Arts in Aylesbury

In a series of columns we hear from people and organisations who are uniquely affected by the covid-19 crisis...
By Hayley OKeeffe
Published 17th Apr 2020, 10:47 BST
Updated 20th Apr 2020, 17:23 BST
Queens Park Arts in AylesburyQueens Park Arts in Aylesbury
Queens Park Arts in Aylesbury

Queen's Park Arts' artistic director, Sarah Lewis, explains how the popular arts centre has managed over the past few weeks.

My team and board have been incredible, completely committed to Queens Park Arts Centre and supportive. We launched our online campaign almost immediately - #LiveCreativelyQPAC and the response from the general public has been huge. We’ve had an 80% increase in online engagement.

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We have an impressive breadth of programme and a great building with superb facilities, but the ethos and spirit of QPAC extends far beyond the building. It’s within every person who knows and supports the Centre, including our 120 volunteers.

Our online campaign is an opportunity to celebrate the community that is Queens Park Arts Centre, as well as highlighting the activities of all the tutors and organisations based at the Centre. Unbound Theatre – the Centre’s inhouse production company has produced an impressive amount of audio content over the past three weeks; the Susan Diane School of Dance launched their online classes for their students the same day we closed, and Aylesbury Youth Action have launched their digital volunteering programme. Many of the Centre’s artists, tutors and performers have already contributed to the campaign on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and it’s great to see our reach extending even further with the community taking part.

Just as I’ve been really impressed by swift and positive reactions, I’ve also been heartened by how supportive our audiences, supporters and funders have been. It makes you realize just how loved the Centre is. I’d like to extend our thanks to the William Harding’s Trust and AVDC who’ve core funded us for years, and to the new Buckinghamshire Council.

It’s our 40th Anniversary year and we all feel so determined to reopen when the time is right. QPAC is unique, there’s nothing like it in Britain and that it’s based here in Aylesbury is fantastic and well worth fighting for because it’s needed more than ever.

Related topics:AylesburyBuckinghamshire Council