Island Artcast

Throughout March we are celebrating Women in the Arts with a connection to the Isle of Man. The aim of this series is to highlight the challenges that women face in the creative industry.In this episode we  talk to Franki Mcdade, who is a lighting director and designer with over 15 years experience in the live music industry.  Her clients include Elbow, Kae Tempest, Klaxons, Placebo, Dizzee Rascal and Lewis Capaldi.Frankie talks to us about her experiences and projects she has been working on.

Hello and welcome to Island Artcast: Uncovering the Creative Industries with me Grainney Sheard as your host. Here, we talk about all things art and each time I'm joined by inspiring Manx creatives to discuss creative careers as well as discussing burning topics from the art world today to keep that creative mind of yours in action.In this episode we are talking about LGBT+ History Month, which in the UK runs in February to coincide with the anniversary of the 2003 abolition of Section 28. The month is intended as a means to raise awareness of, and combat prejudice against, the LGBT+ community while celebrating its achievement and diversity and making it more visible.Kensington Arts has announced a new event, “Schools OUT”, to celebrate LGBT+ History Month. The half-term event, on Saturday 26th February, will provide the community with an opportunity to come together and celebrate queer history.To talk about this today we are joined by Peter Shimmin, who is the new Creative Development Co-Ordinator for the centre and Jenni Smith who is the head of Soundcheck iom, a music project that promotes young musicians island wide, producing regular Live Events and Studio Recordings.In this episode we talk about:- The differences between Pride month in June and LGBTQ+ History month in February - The rebrand from Youth Arts Centre to Kensington Arts- Peter and Jenni's roles within Kensington Arts- The connection between the LGBTQ+ community and the Creative Arts community- How organisations can seek help, advice and collaboration from organisations such as Isle of Pride and the Youth Services LGBTQ+ Youth Club- How being an inclusive business and/or venue is about doing more than just putting a pride flag in your window in June (though that is a really good start!)- Kensington Arts' "Schools OUT" event on the 26th February, what's on, who can we expect etc.-  What is SoundCheck, ArtTank, Tech Crew and National Theatre Connections?- Why representation matters for LGBTQ+ communities on the islandHead over to whatever your preferred platform is for Podcast listening and search Island Artcast to find us.To find out more about SoundCheck find @soundcheckiom on socials or email Jenni.Smith2@gov.imTo find out more about what's on at Kensington, email Peter.Shimmin@gov.im or head to www.kensingtonarts.imTo find out more about Isle of Pride, find them on social media @isleofpride or head to www.isleofpride.im

Happy New Year and welcome to season 2 of Island Artcast: Uncovering the Creative Industries with me Grainney Sheard as your host. In this episode, I am joined by the Isle of Man Arts team to discuss all things funding. We'll talk about the value of funding, why it matters, what kinds of projects we have funded and would like to see funded as well as all the nitty gritty detail as to how to apply for funding. Think of this as your audio guide to our funding process. 

On today's episode, Olivia sits down with POCIOM (People of Colour Isle of Man) members, Elsa and Haafizah to discuss racism on the Isle of Man and particularly, the importance of accepting, respecting and representing different cultures within the workplace. From their own experiences growing up on the Isle of Man to inherent biases, to what the workplace could do to encourage diverse representation.http://pociom.im/

This week is an Arts Council special! Olivia and her colleagues, Martyn and Grainney are all professional creatives and regularly navigate their jobs at the Arts Council alongside their second lives outside of work. On today's show, Olivia and her guests come together to unpick what it means to “find your style” as a creative. From the search for inspiration to pushing your personality, to whether you can ever really find your niche on the never ending journey of making and creating. 

Olivia is joined by two designers working under their own brands, Molly Wade and Alexandra Groover, to discuss sustainability in the fashion industry. It is no secret that the fashion industry is one of the most wasteful industries in the world for both brands and consumers. Together, Olivia and her guests will unravel what is really going on with fast fashion and what social media is doing wrong when it comes to promoting eco-friendly trends, along with tips and tricks for listeners as to how you can shop sustainably.Instagram:@wollymade@alexandra_grooverWebsite:http://www.alexandragroover.com/

Welcome to Part 2 of our Pride episodes! This June, we dedicated our 2 shows of the month to raising awareness about LGBTQ+ on the Isle of Man. In part one, Olivia sat down with Jenni Smith, Kara Varetto and Mathea Lace to talk about their experiences of growing up as LGBTQ+ on the Island and the strengths and struggles that came with that. In today's episode, the discussion continues and this time, Olivia and her guests discuss how creativity helped them explore their identity, find friends for life within the community and helped them all to deliver important messages about LGBTQ+ to the public and therefore spark challenging and progressive discussions.

Olivia is joined by 3 creatives who all identify within LGBTQ+: Jenni Smith, Kara Varetto and Mathea Lace and they have come on to share their experiences of growing up within LGBTQ+ on the Isle of Man. All 3 of my guests have been on challenging but empowering journeys that has brought them to where they are today and each story demonstrates an honest representation of where the Island has been both progressive and unaccepting when it comes to supporting LGBTQ+. This is a really special 2 part episode, where part 2 will be released later this month to address further how creativity can help a person explore their identity and can be used as a medium to reach out to and help others in need.

Today's episode addresses a common question asked amongst Manx creatives - do I need to leave the Island in order to have a successful creative career?Olivia is joined by IOMAC's very own member and entrepreneur, Jade Boylan and illustrator and one third of the collective “Nous Vous” Jay Cover. Jade is based on Island and Jay off Island and together, the two guests provide a compelling and honest debate about the similarities and differences of carrying out your career at “home” or in the UK.

In light of mental health awareness month, Olivia sits down with two Art Therapists, Fern Callister from Teapot Trust and Emily Harrison from Isle Listen to discuss Art and mental health. Together, they unpick the nature of what Art Therapy is, who can benefit from it as treatment and why it is such a rewarding career to have. From creating art to address emotional trauma in therapy sessions, to creating art as a release and a calming activity in someone's spare time, there is such a wide range of ways that creating can be a healing method for the mind.If you're struggling with your mental health and think this method of therapy could be helpful to you, get in touch with either charities that are here to help you. Details below:Teapot Trust: https://www.teapot-trust.org/Isle Listen: https://www.islelisten.im/

Welcome to today's episode, the business of creating! Olivia is joined by the lovely Kim, aka the one man band that operates the business "Silver Spoon Rings". Together, Olivia and Kim will unpick what it takes to run an independent business, selling the things you love to make. From gaining the confidence to take the start up plunge, to navigating and adapting your business through a pandemic, Kim has been through it all and is here to share his unique story with any listeners interested in learning more about him, or that are interested in starting up their own business.Instagram: @SilverspoonringsWebsite: https://www.silverspoonrings.co.uk/

Today on the show, Olivia is joined by 3 musicians whose music careers began on the Isle of Man; Dan Webb from the band Sunset Jet, Ben Donaldson from Voodoo Bandits and Lily Wolter from Penelope Isles. Together, Olivia and her guests will delve into the world of making it in the music industry. From finding an original sound to dealing with negative feedback and even rejection, these guys have been through it all and have joined together today to give an insight into their own journeys to success and shed some light on what to be aware of when making your stamp in the music industry. If you're wanting to start your own band or solo career, then this is one you don't want to miss!Instagram handles for the bands below:@sunset.jet@voodoobandits @penelopeisles

This week, Olivia is joined by Arts Hub founder, Danielle Bridson, Head of Performing Arts at QE2, Jenna Withey and Head of Art at QE2, Vici Blackburn to discuss the significance of creativity in education. From the common misconception that a creative subject is the “easy subject” to how creativity appears in more than just the arts, to whether creativity belongs in an academic environment at all, Olivia and her guests will join together to tackle these topics and celebrate the power of expressing your inner creativity from a young age.As well, Danielle, Jenna and Vici will be sharing the tips and tricks they each use to get their classes (of all ages) inspired to get creative for all the parents out there seeking advice for lockdown activities with the kids!

Welcome to episode 3 of Island Artcast! This week, Olivia is joined by student, Artist and Musician Alice Dudley and Illustrator and Professor Jo Davies. Together, they will unpick the progression of women's rights in the workplace throughout history, how far we have come and address areas that still need to be brought to attention. They will discuss stereotyping and casual sexism and most importantly, what makes women feel empowered in this complex industry and how we can support each other.Featuring Alice Dudley, Instagram: @alicedudleyart and Jo Davies, website: jodaviesillustration.com

It's epsiode 2 on Island Artcast and Olivia is joined by founders of theatre group Hello Little People, Chloe and Michelle to talk about the effects of the pandemic on the creative industry. The discussion takes a positive approach to the current crisis by talking about how creatives have adapted to restrictions from theatre to music to art, in order to continue celebrating creativity and bringing uplifting content to people's homes in one way or another. This episode also includes an insight into how Hello Little People came into existence, along with tips and tricks for the public on how to show your support to local businesses both on Island and across to locals in the UK.

Welcome to Island Artcast: Uncovering the Creative Industry! The show kicks off its first episode meeting the host, Olivia, where she shares her background in the arts community and what led her to starting up this new venture. The floor then opens up to her colleagues on the Arts Team, Ali, Grainney, Jane and Martyn. Together they unpick the ins and outs of working on the Arts Council and how each of them is involved in the creative industry, as well as discussing being a part of a smaller arts community on the Isle of Man. An episode to introduce listeners to the people behind the scenes of Island Artcast.Island based projects and artists mentioned:Alphabet Art Challenge: https://www.iomarts.com/whats-on/2020-11-03-alphabet-art-exhibitionChilli Jam Nights at Secret Pizza co.: https://www.facebook.com/Chilli-Jam-Nights-at-The-Secret-Pizza-Co-105098654747143/Made in Mann: https://www.iomarts.com/news/Made%20in%20MannBruno CavellecOther artists mentioned:Edward HopperTracey EminFrancis BaconDerek HessWendy FarrowEmma HopkinsFrida KahloAugust RoAlexandra DikaiaSalvador DalíPablo PicassoLeonardo DaVinciMona HatoumMarina AbramovićYayoi KusamaSee you next time! xx