Update 11 May 2020
To all our customers and supporters
As the lockdown continues, albeit with some limited easing of restrictions, our 23 venues across Hampshire remain closed. This closure will stay in place for our museums, galleries and Hampshire Wardrobe until 30 June at the earliest. Although the summer season at our three arts centres has been cancelled, we are offering classes online which can be booked at www.hampshireculture.org.uk/online-classes.
But we are now looking ahead to when we can re-open our doors and welcome you back. We will of course strictly follow all government guidance on social distancing and other measures to ensure we restrict the spread of Covid-19 and keep our customers, staff and volunteers safe. We are committed to ensuring that when you come back to our venues, you will not only find a warm welcome, but a place where you can feel reassured that we are taking every precaution possible to ensure your safety.
We will update you as soon as we possibly can on when we are able to re-open our venues and will clearly publish the measures that we will be putting in place when we do. Until then, we continue to bring the very best of our cultural activity to you wherever you are in Culture on Call. Here, you can explore insights into local history, discover fun things to make and do at home, exhibitions, curious objects from our collections and much more.
We’re also asking you to tell us how you feel about the lockdown, coronavirus and the effect it is having on you in Lockdown: Open Up . Whether you’re worried and struggling, or upbeat and chipper, reach out and say something. Do visit Culture On Call to find out more.
Finally, as an arts and heritage charity, we are like so many people and businesses facing uncertainty in our future funding given the current situation. We are appreciative of the continued support and generosity of all our customers and supporters. Any donation you can give will help us keep people connected.
Thank you all and stay well.
Yours, Paul
Paul Sapwell
CEO, Hampshire Cultural Trust
Update 9 April 2020
To all our customers and supporters
The impact that the coronavirus is having on us all is extraordinary. Our 23 museums, galleries and arts centres are all closed. This closure was initially planned to be in place until mid April, but as the situation has developed and following government advice, our museums, galleries and Hampshire Wardrobe will now remain closed until 31 May.
As we experience a new and unknown period together, with all our norms disrupted and adapting to a new way of living, we hold firm to the belief that arts and culture are now more important than ever in uplifting our spirits. Although we cannot maintain our normal, physical, social contact, culture offers a virtual community that we can all belong to.
Our museums, galleries and arts centres may all be closed, but that doesn’t mean that we’ll stop bringing you the very best of our cultural activity – our doors are still open, virtually!
Culture on Call is our new blog, which we have launched to bring culture and communities together during the challenge that is the coronavirus crisis. From fascinating insights into local history to fun things to make and do at home, curious objects from our collections and more, we’ll be bringing arts, culture and heritage straight to you.
In Lockdown: Open Up we’re asking you to tell us how you feel about the lockdown, coronavirus and the effect it is having on you. Whether you’re worried and struggling, or upbeat and chipper, reach out and say something.
We’re capturing the highs and the lows, gathering public thoughts and mood for posterity. Our aim is to record and display what you tell us and to invite artists and creatives to respond, too, using your contributions to make artworks that reflect our shared experience. Tell us how you’re feeling today at Lockdown: Open Up
Please visit Culture On Call to find out more!
Finally, as an arts and heritage charity, we are like so many people and businesses facing uncertainty in our future funding given the current situation. We are appreciative of the continued support and generosity of all our customers and supporters. Any donation you can give will help us keep people connected.
Thank you all and stay well.
Yours, Paul
Paul Sapwell
CEO, Hampshire Cultural Trust