BBC Arts Brings You 'Culture in Quarantine'

In the coming weeks, BBC Arts will present "Culture in Quarantine," a virtual festival of the arts to include, among other features, "Mary Beard [who] will host the new series of Front Row Late on BBC Two from her study. Special guests include Margaret Atwood, who has created her own puppet show, in isolation, to accompany her narration of a story by Edgar Allan Poe." We can't wait! Picking up from the top: 

BBC Arts today announced further programming for Culture In Quarantine, a virtual festival of the arts rooted in the experience of national lockdown, with more to be announced over the coming weeks.

Virtual festival of the arts includes:

Extraordinary access to shuttered exhibitions and performances around the country

Emergency fund with Arts Council England to support independent artists

A virtual book festival curated with Kit de Waal

A puppet show from Margaret Atwood for Front Row Late

Bac Beatbox Academy’s hit show Frankenstein

Classic Shakespeares with the RSC

A brand new play from David Greig

Beginning this month, Culture In Quarantine across television, radio and online, will give the nation access to the arts at a time when we need it the most. Providing extraordinary access to shuttered exhibitions, performances and museums, a virtual book festival and much more besides. The BBC mission is to increase access to the arts, at a time when the buildings that support them are closed, and to support artists and arts organisations in the process.

Tony Hall, BBC Director-General, says: "It’s important during this period that we maintain access not just to news and information, but to the arts and culture. For many people they are a valuable part of their lives and a way of stimulating imagination, thought, and escapism. It’s a vital part of who we are as individuals and part of our identity as a nation.

"So I’m delighted that we have been able to work with organisations up and down the country to deliver everything from virtual access to exhibitions and book festivals, through to performances. There is something for everyone. By working together, we can still have a vibrant period of culture to brighten our lives."

Learn more at BBC Arts.