Scotland’s Conservatoire connects the creative community online

The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland is used to welcoming audiences into its five professional performance venues to showcase the best in music, dance and drama and to being a hub of collaborative creativity and rehearsals for its student community.

With increased restrictions on social interaction and a move to social distancing becoming clear, the Conservatoire quickly pivoted during March to establish a new online creative community, RCS at Home. The online performance space offers a platform for its community to come together, share, discuss, engage, learn, create and laugh.

Professor Jeffrey Sharkey, Principal of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, said:

“We realise that this is an anxious and uncertain time for everyone. Our campus and venues may be closed, and our learning and teaching delivered remotely, but it is important we continue to share our art in creative ways such as through the RCS at Home and RCS Presents platforms.

“It’s an opportunity for the RCS community to stay in touch with people all over the world as we adapt to this change in our way of life.  The community may be virtual, but it is our hope that we can inspire, uplift, unite and entertain.”

The site RCS at Home is a collection of what the Conservatoire’s community has shared so far and it continues to grow each day.

The new platform provides joy, helps combat isolation and offers much needed creative escapism from the epidemic for everyone, with a range of content suited to the general public as well as practical tips for performers adapting to life and careers under COVID-19, such as how to audition from home.

The picture above is from a performance (at home) by Jenn Butterworth and Laura-Beth Salter and was the first Fridays at One live performance offered under the new platform.