Paula hosts the podcast, Can Art Save Us? She interviews diverse, award winning, international artists about their lives and work through the lenses of courage and curiosity. Why?
Paula challenges the current political language in the UK, relegating the Arts as 'soft' and 'low value,' along with deep and sustained cuts. She explores courage and curiosity cultivated by the Arts and why these qualities matter to our mental, societal and democratic health. The series researches how the Arts are critical for all our lives, including social cohesion, reducing loneliness, mental health, peace-keeping, business, innovation, equality, combatting racism and discrimination. The series also elevates hope of which Musa Motha is a master and this features in his episode promo:
"This is beautiful. I love it."
Musa Motha, award-winning dancer, national hero in South Africa, Britain's Got Talent finalist.
Free to listen and subscribe, the podcast is available on all platforms including samsung, apple, spotify, google, amazon music distributed by podbean.com
Paula has interviewed throughout her career. Jazz, blues and music legends, including Ray Charles, Curtis Mayfield, Herbie Hancock, Isaac Hayes, Bo Diddley, Lionel Richie and Quincy Jones for NBC TV. Hollywood and film cast for BSkyB Movies, artists and makers across prestigious arts and heritage venues.
Paula is an Associate Member of the Arts and Wellbeing Centre at Brighton University. She has studied with Sussex Mindfulness, part of the NHS, the University of Oxford Mindfulness Centre and the Compassion Institute led by Dr. Thupten Jinpa, the principal English translator to H.H. the Dalai Lama. She is interested in the relationship between psychology, neurology and contemplative sciences in relation to wellbeing and the Arts.
"Your podcast is creating important conversation Paula. Thank you for inviting me!" Qudsia Akhtar, Poet.
Highly Commended,
Forward Book of Poetry.
"Such a great roving and in-depth conversation with Paula at Can Art Save Us? Yes, it can! A great pleasure."
Dr. Cherry Smyth, Poet,
Author, Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature.
"Thank you
so much for having me
on. I really appreciate it and
it's been fantastic to speak
with you today. "
Zita Holbourne, multi-award winning artist, poet, senior Trade Unionist.
Momentum Consultancy in Ireland, has included the podcast in their EU course for Social / Cultural Service Educators and Managers. This is part of Activate, promoting social prescribing across Europe. It's a joy to share the diverse voices, insights and evidence of all the artists in this important space. www.socialprescribers.eu/introduction-to-social-prescribing-course/
Paula has contributed to published research with the European Cultural Foundation in a hybrid lab, “Cultural Creative Spaces and Cities." This explored the critical role of Arts & Culture in communities for social cohesion and democracy.
CAN YOU HELP LIFT THE ARTS AND SHARE THIS PODCAST?
ESPECIALLY WHERE ARTS CUTS ARE HIGH, ACCESS IS LOW AND INEQUALITY IS EVER DEEPER?
WHERE PEOPLE ARE HARMED BY THE COST OF LIVING CRISIS AND SOCIALLY EXCLUDED?
TO ENCOURAGE POSITIVE, CULTURAL EXCHANGE FOR A BETTER GLOBAL UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD IN WHICH WE LIVE.
TO CELEBRATE OUR CULTURAL ROOTS, ANCESTRAL HERITAGE AND ANCIENT WISDOMS THROUGH THE ARTS.
LET'S CHANGE STRUCTURAL INEQUALITY.
WE CAN START BY LISTENING AND SHARING.
Please share this free podcast series across social media and in your networks to be part of the wave for a kinder world.
"Wow, that's such an interesting question. Wow. That really speaks to me." Otis Mensah, the UK's first hip-hop poet laureate.
"These are very interesting, very good questions. I thoroughly enjoyed the conversation."
Marwa Al-Sabouni,
Architect, Author,
Top 50 Global
Thinkers List.
"Thank you for having me and bringing such challenging questions, it's been wicked." Adam Kammerling, Slam Poet Champion, inter-disciplinary artist.
"I do admire what you are doing. I really enjoyed talking to you and wish you every success with the series. I will always be glad to work with you again."
Antony Penrose, Co-director of the Penrose Collection and
Lee Miller Archives.
"Those were some fantastic questions Paula. I always enjoy being made to think a bit harder in in an interview like that. That was great fun. "
Mark Walmsley, CEO, Arts & Culture Network
"Listened to your podcast and it’s fantastic! Really authentic
conversation, congrats on such a great show!"
John Offord, BBC Producer
Season 5, published on World Children's day. Guests include living dance legend, Gregory Maqoma and Musa Motha, a dancer, despite a leg amputation at age 11. Musa made TV history on Britain's Got Talent when guaranteed a place in the Semi-Finals by all 4 judges. Both artists are from South Africa with incredible stories of courage, personal and political transformation.
Coming Up. Out in January 2024, the podcast is featured in Indie Shaman, a glossy, quarterly, international magazine. Paula's interview with Season 4 guest, Doctor of Faerytales, Elizabeth Lovely, is editorialised. It was previously highlighted in issue 58.
Paula was recently interviewed by Mark Walmsley, CEO of the Arts & Culture Network, video published soon, Jan, 2024.
Paula's live interview on regional BBC Radio about Season 4 was available on BBC Sounds.
Season 4 published on Windrush Day. Windrush 75 guests include a world leading sculptor, Basil Watson, who created the UK's National Windrush Memorial unveiled by HRH the Prince of Wales. Guests explore the vital, social and cultural contribution of the Windrush generation, the scandal of hostile legislation and struggle for justice.
Season 3 The podcast was selected for presentation at the Cambridge University conference "Poetic Justice" in Dec, 2022. The conference was inspired by and opened by poet, author and broadcaster, Lemn Sissay, OBE. Season 3 was dedicated to diverse, acclaimed and award winning poets and spoken word artists.
Season 2 published on the Day of International Friendship featuring a Top 50 global thinker, Syrian architect, Marwa Al-Sabouni, on 'Building Peace.'
Season 1, Amanny Mo at BBC Radio Surrey and BBC Radio Sussex covered the premier of Can Art Save Us? Paula was interviewed with guest, Antony Penrose of Farleys House & Gallery, Home of Surrealists, Lee Miller and Roland Penrose.
Paula is exploring international partnerships, collaboration and funding for this arts-based research. She is interested in the multi-disciplinary opportunity of the research for social impact purposes. The podcast is free to listen, without exclusive, monetised content to widen Arts access for all and to prioritise the importance of cultural exchange.
"Thank you so much again for having me amongst the list of extremely accomplished and wonderful guests that you have. And thank you so much for keeping your podcast accessible as well. I think that's that's really important." Bhumika Billa, poet, classical dancer, legal academic.
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