News of Chichester Art Trail 2021

After the Government’s announcement last Monday, we have been digesting and researching the implications and possibilities of running a Trail in 2021. As promised for March 1st, here are the conclusions we have reached.


In summary:

• We will move the Trail to new dates in July. The 2 weekends of 10th, 11th July and 17th, 18th July
• We have no choice but to participate in NHS Test and Trace, at each Trail Venue. (This is manageable – please read on)

 

2 weekends – 10th, 11th and 17th, 18th July

• Running the Art Trail in July seems an exciting prospect after our months of lockdown – both for artists and visitors!
• These weekends are as far as we can get from the beginning of Step 4 of the lockdown roadmap on June 21st, before the school holidays begin.
• The first weekend does cover Goodwood Festival of Speed. This may not be ideal in some respects, for some areas of the Trail at the beginning and end of the day. But, it may also bring us additional visitors from outside the area.

On reading government documents and speaking to helplines, the one big proviso is that in order to run a 112 Venue event, we must be part of the NHS Test and Trace system. 

• Every Venue will be registered with a QR code, display a poster, have a Test and Trace form for visitors to fill in, must keep data secure, cooperate with the NHS if contacted, and destroy data after 3 weeks.
• Each artist must sign a declaration that they will comply with Test and Trace, and will take on the liability for the fine if they do not comply, and that they will protect visitors data.

The good news is – together we CAN do this!

We will do all the technical requirements for you beforehand:

• Register each Venue with a unique QR code and email the poster for you to display.
• Devise an appropriate Test and Trace form for visitors to fill in as they arrive at your Venue.
• Include a Covid information page in the Trail Guide advising visitors of the requirement to give Test and Trace information as they enter each Venue.
• Design a privacy notice to display at your Venue referencing a detailed policy on the website.
• Offset this extra admin by skipping the Trail Evaluation this year – no usual clickers or forms to fill in regarding visitors and sales, as this is unlikely to be a typical year!

 

We feel that a July date is hopeful and a great opportunity to look forward to and aim for. 

• We hope you will take part on the basis of the dates and required regulations detailed above.
• If not, your entry will be included in the printed Trail Guide and you will be an online participant only; the July Trail, as a whole, can then still go ahead.
• If we don’t hear from you, we will count you in!
• If you do want to contact us, please send a new message to info@chichesteropenstudios.org. We will respond, so if you do not get a reply, please try again or contact us via the website.

 

• If we proceed with this new plan, and print the Trail Guide at the end of May, there is a chance, if we are unfortunate and all goes awry again between printing the Guide and the new July dates, that artist refunds will not be possible.
• Our alternative will be to revert to an Online Trail.

 

 

We may have to forgo some of the extras this year – no Oxmarket, and it will be a 4 day Trail, but if we can get a Trail off the ground in 2021, I feel that in itself, will be an amazing achievement!

We will keep you up to date via Newsletter when we have things to report.

With very best wishes

Nicola

 

Read the full Newsletter.