Responding to Covid19 – an unusual start for the new Square Edge team

March 2020 has been an unusual start for the new Square Edge team. Manager Jane Humphrey, incoming Artistic Director Dr Karen Seccombe, and Events, Building and Retail Coordinator Kayla Wareham have been focused on responding quickly to the rapid development of the Covid19 pandemic. With the temporary closure of the Square Edge Arts Centre building, this has meant working to support tenants and the arts community, and finding effective ways to stay in touch online. The teams first two weeks together have been a crash course in getting to know each other and the Square Edge community and finding creative ways to keep the organisation connected and operational. Like most challenging situations it has brought some positives. Having the opportunity to look with fresh eyes at the way things are done, and to explore new ways of doing them has offered some exciting new ideas and initiatives – watch this space as there will be more information to come soon. For now the team are keen that everyone knows they are continuing to work offsite and are available to respond to any inquiries. Key information: The 2020 exhibition schedule will continue online until public spaces are reopened. The Art Trail will go ahead as planned, with a new date set for November 14th and 15th 2020 – this will be introduced as both a physical and a virtual tour this year. Makers markets are suspended until our public spaces are open again. Over the next few weeks Dr Octavia Cade, Massey University and Square Edge Community Arts visiting writer in residence, will be writing a weekly blog which reflects on her thoughts and experiences. Please keep an eye on the Square Edge Community Arts Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/SquareEdgeCommunityArts/ for updates