One thing that has always struck me is the word ‘New’ in our name. I often jokingly ask “how long can we new for?” Right now it seems like the most meaningful word, it suggests we are always ‘New’, always fresh and looking toward the future. Planning for the ‘new-normal’ is something, if our name fits, we should do constantly.
After six weeks of lockdown I’m feeling ready to look to the future and to think through what re-opening will look like at New Brewery Arts. But rather than asking myself the question “How can we carry on doing what we’ve been doing as everything around us changes?” I’m asking, “What does our community need from us now?” There’s simply no way to just go back to how things were. We’ve all changed, we’ve all learned new things and taken on new ways of thinking about what’s important. When I think about what our community needs I realise that the key to this question is that it’s impossible for me to answer this alone.
“One way to approach the question is to think about what you have missed the most while we’ve been closed, what is the first thing you’d like to do when our doors open?”
I’m throwing the question out to you. What do you think New Brewery Arts will look like when we reopen, what would you like to see us doing more of, or less of? What will the new be? One way to approach the question is to think about what you have missed the most while we’ve been closed? What is the first thing you’d like to do when our doors open?
Our purpose is to “connect people with the hand-made, to promote the joy and fulfilment of making and celebrates the role of craft and creativity in all our lives.” Before COVID-19 we did this through studios, retail, exhibitions and classes – are still the best ways to achieve our charitable purpose and to celebrate craft with you?
Certain things will be bound by the ‘new-normal’ of social distancing – but what should this ‘new’ look like? Should our class groups smaller than before? Would you rather learn at home with our tutors online? How do you want to shop? Would you like more online shopping? How are you finding the 2-meter distance at supermarkets? How can you browse while maintaining this distance?
I’d like to hear as many ideas and points of view as possible, they can be as micro or macro, small or radical as you want, no idea is too trivial or too ‘off the wall’. New Brewery Arts will be changed by COVID, as will all aspects of society – what this will look like must be shaped by us all. Do get in touch with your thoughts – my email is beth@newbreweryarts.org.uk, or you can also leave your comments below on this blog page, or via our social media @newbreweryarts.
We are New Brewery Arts, now we have to work together to decide how we live up to our name.