Creative Arts

Network for Peace

Creative Arts for Peace

Music, Art, Drama, Cinema, Photography

Here we have listed links to organisations and individuals working for peace in artistic fields. If you know of any more please tell us!

Also on this page is a diary of artistic events. Let us know about plays, performances, cinema, poetry readings, exhibitions and anything of an artistic nature (“artistic” meaning what you want it to mean!).

For publications click here.

MUSICIAN AND ORGANISER CO-WORKER WANTED

I am a guitarist who subverts national anthems. I require another guitarist to do similar and engage in friendly competitions to support peace related organisations and organisation that support worker's rights. Also to set up events where musicians can engage in musical subversions of national anthems. This would be at protests, at events and for fundraising.

There maybe some paid work at festivals as well where we can raise a peace flag in a quieter fashion. Contact-Stuart Black at scribbleabc2001@yahoo.co.uk or on 07951 128 048 I live in North London.

Links

Artists Against the War: http://www.artistsagainstthewar.org.uk/
“For anyone working in the Arts”

Art not Oil: http://www.artnotoil.org.uk/
“designed in part to paint a truer portrait of an oil company than the caring image manufactured by the BP Portrait Award”

AZ Theatre: http://www.aztheatre.org.uk
“creates and produces theatre performances, presentations, workshops, meetings and encounters”.

Banner Theatre: http://www.bannertheatre.co.uk/
Banner Theatre is one of Britain’s longest established community theatre companies, they perform to community and trade union audiences in pubs, clubs and community centres and at rallies, festivals and conferences.

Concord Media: http://www.concordmedia.org.uk/
Distributor of thousands of films covering topics such as bullying, child care, drama, ecology and the environment, race relations, the third world, war and peace.

Demo Project: http://www.demoproject.co.uk/frames.html
Demo is a monthly event at Blueprint in Nottingham, with the proceeds going to different charities.

European Creative Forum: http://www.europeancreativeforum.org/
The ECF is still embryonic and so is still being defined and probably will always be fluid.

The Foundry: http://www.foundry.tv/
Multi-media, exhibitions, music and bar: 86 Great Eastern Street London EC2A 3JL

London Rising Tide: http://londonrisingtide.org.uk/
5 Chalk Farm Road, London NW1. “Autonomous space for the exhibition of resistance” with events including art exhibitions, gigs and parties, performance art and meetings.

London Socialist Film Co-op
OK, I know not all peaceniks are socialists (and vice-versa) but you don’t need to be a socialist to see any of the films they put on, usually at the Renoir Cinema, Brunswick Square, London WC1 (020 7837 8402) on Sunday mornings. Contact details: 9 Hendry House, Wyvil Estate, London, SW8 2TF, 020 7978 1924.

Mark Thomas: http://www.mtcp.co.uk/

Meeting Ground Theatre Company: http://www.meetingground.org.uk
At the heart of the company's artistic policy and vision is the theatrical exploration of "the politics of the imagination". The controls on our imagination shape all our destinies.

Peace not War: http://www.peace-not-war.org/
Peace not War raises funds for peace groups by producing and selling CDs and putting on gigs etc. The website also features a useful search engine.

Peace Museum: http://www.peacemuseum.org.uk/
Permanent and travelling exhibitions. 10 Piece Hall Yard, Bradford, BD1 1PJ Telephone: (01274) 434009 Fax: (01274) 432618
email

Reactor: http://www.reactorweb.com/homepage.htm
A Nottingham based collective who work collaboratively on a variety of events and projects.

Rhythms of Resistance: http://www.rhythmsofresistance.co.uk/
A drum band that plays at demonstrations and other events. Website has some useful links.

Scary Little Girls: http://www.scarylittlegirls.co.uk/default.htm

A theatre company which not only put on professional productions such as Maria Stuart but also go “out into the community” (eg schools) offering workshops on conflict resolution.

Seaside Tribe: http://www.seasidetribe.org/index.html Hold parties, usually at the Brixton Telegraph, with “talented artists, musicians, DJ's, healers, jugglers, acrobats, dancers, pressure groups, charities, and ethical green fair trade organisations to stimulate a new interactive, aware, safe, atmospheric, party environment.”

Theatre of War: http://www.theatreofwar.org/
Theatre of War “use giant puppets, very large presidents made of chicken wire, cheesy props and mega-phones to raise awareness and support activists out there who are opposing warmongers, arms dealers, nuclear power, environmental destruction, and exploitation and control of people through bent trade rules and fabricated debt.”

UHC Collective: http://www.uhc-collective.org.uk/
UHC Collective “exists to produce and promote quality art and graphics concerned with the fundamental social phenomena of power relations, economics and the environment.”

Overseas and international sites:

Artists Against War: http://www.9monkeys.org

Art for a Change: http://www.art-for-a-change.com/

Atomic Mirror: http://www.atomicmirror.org/ or http://www.earthways.org/atomicmirror/
“The purpose of the Atomic Mirror is to create a nuclear-free world. We use the creative arts (film, music, images, performance, ceremony) to reveal the secrets of the nuclear age, and to advocate for the abolition of nuclear weapons and power.”

Jane Smith Bernhardt: http://www.janebernhardt.com/
Multimedia art & performance including the Hibakusha Peace Project.

Jazz for Peace: http://www.jazzforpeace.org/

Jenny Arnau: http://www.jenniearnau.com/
Download “Who will Come With Me” an anti-war song that written specifically about the current situation in Iraq.

Joan Baez: http://baez.woz.org/

Lion and Lamb Music: http://www.lionandlambmusic.com/home.cfm
Download and print music for singers.

The Lysistrata Project: http://www.pecosdesign.com/lys/
Inspired by the comedy by Greek dramatist Aristophanes, which tells the story of a group of women from opposing states who unite to end the Peloponnesian War. Worldwide readings of the play took place in 2003. An ongoing campaign/project of the same name can be found on: http://www.lysistrataproject.org/

Mark Fiore: http://www.markfiore.com/index.html
Amusing and topical short animations.

Musicians for Peace: http://www.musiciansforpeace.org/

Poets against the War: http://www.poetsagainstthewar.org/

Ramallah Underground: http://www.ramallahunderground.com/index2.html

Songs for Peace: http://www.songs4peace.com/

Star Poster Program: http://www.ursidaeenterprises.com/history.html
“Dedicated to changing the world one poster at a time” Has some useful design tips for your posters, leaflets etc.

The One Day in Peace Play: http://www.oneday.net/play/english.htm suitable for under 11 year olds.

Transcend Peace University is running on-line courses on peace and the arts. Several courses start in September and more are being prepared. See: http://www.transcend.org/

D iary

Friday 13 February
LONDON. London Youth Choir with Natasha Mc Donald. Youthful homegrown talent with a captivating programme of jazz, rock, hip-hop and soul, led by actress and songwriter Natasha who has sung in churches and theatres from Africa to the West End. £12 Reservations: events@stethelburgas.org St Ethelburga's Centre for Reconciliation and Peace, 78 Bishopsgate, London, EC2N 4AG. http://www.stethelburgas.org/ Venue is wheelchair accessible but parking may be difficult.

21 February
LONDON. Peace Through the arts: Musicking & Peace: Workshop & Concert. This unique workshop uses simple musical activities to explore how we relate to music from different cultures, and the role of music in peace-making. An evening concert with Winchester University Ensembles includes a gospel choir and drumming group. Led by Rev. Prof. June Boyce-Tillman (Winchester University). Suitable for anyone – musically-minded or otherwise. Workshop 1.30pm–6pm; Concert 7pm. Costs: Workshop £32, Concert £13, Both together £40 (all including booking fee). Please book in advance by going to http://tinyurl.com/5nyxsz

Friday 6 March
LONDON. Special Event: Qudduson (World Premiere) (UK/Syria). The Clerks launch their residency at St Ethelburga’s by inviting three leading singers from Syria to join them for a ground-breaking collaboration singing ancient chant and polyphony from Europe and the Middle East together. £15. There will be an open rehearsal earlier in the week – see website for details. 8.30pm Reservations: events@stethelburgas.org St Ethelburga's Centre for Reconciliation and Peace, 78 Bishopsgate, London, EC2N 4AG. http://www.stethelburgas.org/ Venue is wheelchair accessible but parking may be difficult.

Saturday 4 April
LONDON. What a Drama! The Antidote to Interfaith. Bored of interfaith dialogue? Why not try interfaith drama! A lively, unexpected and hilarious afternoon of drama and improvisation games exploring religious stereotypes and labeling. A fun way to explore a serious topic. Come prepared to be offended! With Josh Cass & Isaac Jones (Central School of Drama). 2.00-5.30pm. Cost: £29 (including booking fee). Please book in advance here: http://tinyurl.com/68dro For concessions (£14) please contact us here. St Ethelburga's Centre for Reconciliation and Peace, 78 Bishopsgate, London, EC2N 4AG. http://www.stethelburgas.org/ Venue is wheelchair accessible but parking may be difficult.

18 April
LONDON. Musicians Against Nuclear Arms (MANA) Concert for Peace. With Tony Lamb (clarinet), Pal Banda (cello) and Julian Jacobson(piano). Rosslyn Hill Chapel, NW3. MANA Administration, 71 Greenfield Gardens, London NW2 1HU. 020 8455 1030.

Monday 20 – Friday 24 April
LONDON. Exhibition: Another Israel. (call for opening times) An exhibition documenting how 30 Israeli peace groups work for Palestinian Human Rights, mutual respect, genuine dialogue and an end to the Israeli Occupation. They include women observing the checkpoints, ex-soldiers exposing army actions, groups acting against settlement expansion, torture and detention without trial, as well as those rebuilding demolished homes and creating shared communities. In association with Another Israel. St Ethelburga's Centre for Reconciliation and Peace, 78 Bishopsgate, London, EC2N 4AG. http://www.stethelburgas.org/ Venue is wheelchair accessible but parking may be difficult.

Thursday 14 May
LONDON. Theatre: A Mother Speaks. This powerful monologue deals with the devastating aftermath of gun crime seen through the eyes of the mother of 17-year-old Gavin Morris. She recalls her son’s birth and his first day of school, her fears as he grew up and started having girlfriends. She’s an ordinary woman, an ordinary mother, but then an appalling and senseless act changes all that. In association with The Okai Collier Company. This event is by donation. Reservations: events@stethelburgas.org. 7pm St Ethelburga's Centre for Reconciliation and Peace, 78 Bishopsgate, London, EC2N 4AG. http://www.stethelburgas.org/ Venue is wheelchair accessible but parking may be difficult.

Friday 5 June
LONDON. A Summer Evening of Poetry. Voices on the summer breeze wafting between mediaeval stone and goatskin tent. With Ann Brayton-Meek, Poet in Residence at St Ethelburga’s, and guests. Cost: £11 (including booking fee). Please book in advance by going to: http://tinyurl.com/55xw7q For concession (£5) contact us here St Ethelburga's Centre for Reconciliation and Peace, 78 Bishopsgate, London, EC2N 4AG. http://www.stethelburgas.org/ Venue is wheelchair accessible but parking may be difficult.

12 June
LONDON. World Music: The monks of Tashi Lhunpo Monastery (Tibet/India). Traditional Tibetan chanting and ritual dancing to mark the destruction of the sand mandala which the monks have created in St Ethelburgas this week. An unforgettable experience. £15. In association with the Tashi Lhunpo Monastery UK Trust. 7pm. St Ethelburga's Centre for Reconciliation and Peace, 78 Bishopsgate, London, EC2N 4AG. http://www.stethelburgas.org/ Venue is wheelchair accessible but parking may be difficult.

Thursday 25 June
LONDON. Musicians Against Nuclear Arms (MANA) Concert for Peace. With the Fitzwilliam String Quartet. St Cyprian’s Church, Clarence Gate Glentworth Street, NW1 6AX. MANA Administration, 71 Greenfield Gardens, London NW2 1HU. 020 8455 1030.

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Publications

No More Hiroshimas

In commemoration of Hiroshima and Nagasaki day, No More Hiroshimas, a collection of poems by the British poet James Kirkup, will be published for the first time in Britain. In his new preface, James Kirkup explains the genesis of this little collection:

For a copy of No More Hiroshimas contact Tony Simpson or Abi Rhodes on 0115 9784 504 or email elfeuro@compuserve.com

Published 6th August 2004 - ISBN 0 85124 689 3 - Price £6.99; p&p 50p; pages 72.