One of the most influential figures in fashion, Dame Anna Wintour, is stepping up with British Vogue editor Edward Enninful, to raise money for London’s defunded arts scene.
Fabulous! What’s in store?
With a mixture of opera, dance, theatre and fashion, the event will feature performers including Stormzy, Sir Ian McKellen, Sophie Okonedo, Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell and Sienna Miller.
Proceeds and philanthropic donations from the event will plug the funding gap left after the government shifted Arts Council England funding away from the capital to support the regions.
So far the event has raised £1 million from ticket sales and donations. The full list of recipients is yet to be announced. But they will include large organisations such as the National Theatre, the Royal Ballet and Southbank Sinfonia, as well as small arts companies, freelancers and independent artists.
“We wanted to make sure that donations were broadly distributed to very small organisations,” Wintour explained.
Charity check-in
At Smiley Movement, we like to elevate the work of charities across the world. Here are three charities whose causes align with the themes in this article.
Create. Create is the UK’s leading charity empowering lives, reducing isolation and enhancing wellbeing through the creative arts. Support them here.
The Fawcett Society. This is the UK’s leading charity campaigning for gender equality and women’s rights.Support them here.
The Diversity Trust CIC. This Community Interest Company, established in 2012 in the UK, has a mission to ‘influence social change to create a fairer and safer society’.Learn more here.
An ex-offender employment programme is partnering with the University of the West of England (UWE).
That’s great! Tell me more.
Project ReMake, an entrepreneurship programme for people who were formerly incarcerated, is partnering with UWE. UWE will be hosting a programme for one night a week, over the course of eight weeks, that will help lead to employment.
Why now?
The programme has seen success at other universities in the UK, and has had 93 graduates, all of whom have not reoffended since graduating the course. UWE was awarded a £63,000 grant to run the course, with the aim of helping graduates into employment.
Those who complete the course will be offered a 12-week paid work placement at Capita, a business outsourcing company.
Charity check-in
At Smiley Movement, we like to elevate the work of charities across the world. Here are three charities whose causes align with the themes in this article.
Women in Prison. This is a women-centred, women-run organisation that provides specialist services to women affected by the criminal justice system both in prison and in the community throughout England. Support them here.
Working Chance. This is a charity that helps women offenders make the transition into employment, helping them find paid work and offering voluntary placements. Find out more.
Unlock. This is an independent charity for people with convictions who are dealing with the effects of having a criminal record. Learn more here.
It’s hard to quantify the importance of art because the concept itself is an amorphous blob of human expression and culture. Everything from the Sistine Chapel to back alley graffiti has something to add to society at large.
This is something that ArtServe, a community organization in South Florida hopes to foster.
“Art is a powerful tool,” they write on their site. “It can uplift lives. Upend unjust systems. Transform perspectives and amplify voices that far too often go unheard. When properly leveraged, art is a catalyst for change on personal, communal and economic levels.”
ArtServe acts as a community hub for art and learning – made apparent by the juxtaposition of a quiet library down the corridor from a concert hall. The organization aims to support artists to learn, grow and explore their crafts.
“What we help [artists] do is build their confidence and build their business,” Jason Hughes, ArtServe’s executive director, tells Smiley News. “A lot of artists are great at their art, but don’t know how to price their art, how to sell their art, how to market their art, how to use social media, how to present their art, and public relations is a big thing.”
The people running ArtServe call it an “art incubator,” or a place where aspiring artists can go to improve their craft with classes, studio spaces, and art exhibitions to show off their work.
“We do four exhibitions a year. The artists that are part of those exhibitions stand by their art pieces, whatever the gallery, during the opening reception and talk to people to learn how to communicate and talk about their art,” Jason says.
Even with all these resources, that’s still just scratching the surface of what ArtServe does. On top of all the work they do for art and artists in South Florida, they also support and preserve the queer community and history. While the organization isn’t explicitly an LGBTQ+ entity the building is home to the World AIDS Museum and the Stonewall Museum, both of which share queer history.
They also host panels, such as that organized for National Coming Out Day. These events serve as community forums to raise awareness about and tackle issues affecting the queer community.
This work is incredibly important in Florida – a state that is actively trying to suppress LGBTQ+ education with bills like the so-called “Don’t Say Gay,” book bannings, and restrictions on gender-affirming care.
ArtServe also works with The Our Fund Foundation, which supports LGBTQ+ philanthropy throughout South Florida.
“I think with the Our Fund Foundation it just really, really kind of drives, I hope to the community that you’re safe here, we support you, we see you,” Jason says.
ArtServe, above all else just serves the community and helps people bring forth their best and most expressive selves. They’re one of the last art incubators in the US and they wear that on their proverbial sleeve.
“People will say ‘I love ArtServe,’ and it’s interesting because they can’t say really why? It’s just that they just feel comfortable,” Jason says. “And that’s what we want.”
Charity check-in
At Smiley Movement, we like to elevate the work of charities across the world. Here are three charities whose causes align with the themes in this article.
GLAAD. GLAAD is a massive LGBTQ+ advocacy group that helps fight for queer people across the US. Consider donating.
Lambda Legal. This organization helps fight in the courtroom for queer people. Find out more.
The Trevor Project. They focus on suicide prevention and mental health support for queer youth. Support them here.
Amid the ongoing strikes in Hollywood, studios have released an outline of their offer, highlighting the highest wage increase for writers in 35 years. The outline also offers protections against artificial intelligence and other provisions.
The strike has already lasted longer than the 2007-2008 strike.
“Our priority is to end the strike so that valued members of the creative community can return to what they do best and to end the hardships that so many people and businesses that service the industry are experiencing,” said Carol Lombardini, president of the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, the union that represents the studios.
The writers aren’t getting all of their needs met but are seeing a wage increase from $9,888 a week to $11,371 a week for guarantees of up to 9 weeks. The proposal also offers writers a minimum of 10 weeks of employment, a proposal studios initially refused before the strike.
Additionally, the union seemed to cave on the WGA’s proposal to implement a viewership-based streaming residuals model.
“For the first time, viewership data in the form of quarterly confidential reports is to be provided to the WGA that will include total SVOD view hours per title. This increased transparency will enable the WGA to develop proposals to restructure the current SVOD residual regime in the future,” AMPTP wrote in the offer.
Previously denied AI protections are being brought up and seemingly accepted, in a win for the writers.
“We have come to the table with an offer that meets the priority concerns the writers have expressed. We are deeply committed to ending the strike and are hopeful that the WGA will work toward the same resolution,” Lombardini said.
Charity check-in
At Smiley Movement, we like to elevate the work of charities across the world. Here are three charities whose causes align with the themes in this article.
The Women Invested to Save Earth Fund. This organization helps support underrepresented and underfunded Black, indigenous, and women of color-led organizations across the world. Find out more and support them here.
Florida Bicycle Association. An organization that helps mobilize people and promote greener living and safer biking. Find out more. Collective Sun. They help nonprofits get outfitted with solar power capabilities. Check them out here.
Just this past week, India became just the fourth nation ever to land on the moon, a monumental step for the country, joining the US, China, and the former USSR. The uncrewed Chandrayaan-3 mission has also become the first to land close to the moon’s south pole.
Chandrayaan is Hindi for “moon craft” which suits its success, which is India’s second attempt to land on the moon after Chandrayaan-2 was lost to space.
The region where the craft landed had areas permanently in sunlight as well as permanently in darkness, which is why researchers have wanted to study the region.
“On this joyous occasion…I would like to address all the people of the world,” Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said. “India’s successful moon mission is not just India’s alone. This is a year in which the world is witnessing India’s G20 presidency. Our approach of one Earth, one family, one future is resonating across the globe.”
He hopes that this will push spacial travel worldwide.
“This human-centric approach that we present and we represent has been welcome universally. Our moon mission is also based on the same human-centric approach. Therefore, this success belongs to all of humanity, and it will help moon missions by other countries in the future.”
Charity check-in
At Smiley Movement, we like to elevate the work of charities across the world. Here are three charities whose causes align with the themes in this article.
The Women Invested to Save Earth Fund. This organization helps support underrepresented and underfunded Black, indigenous, and women of color-led organizations across the world. Find out more and support them here.
Florida Bicycle Association. An organization that helps mobilize people and promote greener living and safer biking. Find out more.
Collective Sun. They help nonprofits get outfitted with solar power capabilities. Check them out here.
Let’s be honest – the most difficult part of being at school can often be considering your future career.
For kids from minority backgrounds, this can be extra challenging. Even the most talented students struggle to access higher education or work, simply based on their background – and that’s where charities such as Career Ready UK come in.
Smiley News spoke to Eloise Skinner, author and Career Ready Youth Advisory Board member about some of the amazing things that Career Ready UK is doing to help young people from all backgrounds access a rewarding future.
“I’ve always been interested in social mobility: I came from a state school background, and felt a little out of place at university studying Law,” Eloise tells Smiley News. “I worked on the Access Team at Cambridge University to broaden access to students from a wide range of backgrounds and with a diversity of experience. After university, I worked with a few other charities focusing on similar issues, such as Young Women’s Trust.”
“I came across Career Ready when I was writing my second book (called ‘The Purpose Handbook’) – I wanted to dedicate the proceeds of that book to a charity, and Career Ready – the UK’s national social mobility charity – seemed like a great fit. Later, I joined their Youth Advisory Board, where I currently hold a position to input on strategy, alumni relations and much more!”
Eloise is many things – an author, existential therapist, teacher, model, and even the founder of two businesses, but still she finds time to work with Career Ready UK. This charity aims to challenge stereotypes, and to empower young people to help them create a rewarding life for themselves – something that is incredibly important.
“Social mobility (or inequality between different backgrounds) is still a huge problem for today’s young people. Research from The Social Mobility Commission showed that those from affluent backgrounds are 80% more likely to be in a professional job than their working class peers,” explains Eloise.
Career Ready is an amazing charity that has already reached 200,000 young people, including supporting 30,000 on their Post-16 programme. Plus, they are able to help young people through their incredible network of 1,000 employer supporters and 3,500 volunteers who help young people in 400 schools and colleges across the UK.
In Eloise’s position on the Youth Advisory board, she is able to help steer the work of Career Ready and highlight the voices of those young people that are benefited by the charity. One of the best things about Career Ready is that they really do put their youth and young people first – so that their voices are heard, and they get a say in how their lives are shaped by charity.
And they’ve already seen incredible change thanks to the tireless work of people like Eloise, who give up their time to help shape the future of the next generation of teachers, lawyers, doctors, dentists, actors, journalists – and whatever else they could dream of.
Data from Career Ready shows that 98% of students that were previously on a Career Ready programme go on to positive future destinations – while 98% of teachers said that the Career Ready interactions enhanced previous learning for students.
“One way to support change is through experiences and opportunities that open up the world of work to young people,” says Eloise. “Workplace experiences, insights into the world of work, mentors and other supporters, and upskilling opportunities. These are all elements offered within the Career Ready programmes.”
To support Career Ready UK, you can head to this Just Giving link to make a one-off or ongoing donation, or follow Career Ready on socials (@careerreadyuk) to learn more about their work!
At Smiley Movement, we like to elevate the work of charities across the world. Here are three charities whose causes align with the themes in this article.
The Fawcett Society. This is the UK’s leading charity campaigning for gender equality and women’s rights.Support them here.
The Diversity Trust CIC. This Community Interest Company, established in 2012 in the UK, has a mission to ‘influence social change to create a fairer and safer society’.Learn more here.
Create. Create is the UK’s leading charity empowering lives, reducing isolation and enhancing wellbeing through the creative arts.Support them here.
The National Gallery is extending its ‘pay-what-you-can’ scheme to help those struggling in the cost of living crisis.
Tell me more!
The gallery, based in London, is allowing visitors to pay as little as £1 to visit its special exhibitions.
Their Frans Hal exhibition which opens this September is the latest show to offer the discounted tickets.
While much of the National Gallery is open to the public for free, its paid exhibitions are one of the few barriers to art – and this scheme enables those struggling with the cost of living crisis to see all the gallery has to offer.
Charity check-in
At Smiley Movement, we like to elevate the work of charities across the world. Here are three charities whose causes align with the themes in this article.
English Heritage. This charity cares for over 400 historic monuments, buildings and places – from world-famous prehistoric sites to grand medieval castles.Learn more here.
National Trust. This is Europe’s biggest conservation charity, looking after nature, beauty and history for everyone to enjoy.Find out more.
Historic Houses. This charity helps to support and protect historic houses in the United Kingdom, working to keep Britain’s heritage alive for future generations.Support them.
One man has taken on an epic walk in memory of his grandfather.
Amazing! Tell me more.
Ian Wainwright has just completed his walk from Land’s End to John O’Groats, in memory of his grandfather. The walk took him from the 1st of May right through to the 26th July, and wore through three pairs of boots to complete it!
Why did he decide to do the walk?
Ian used the walk to raise money for Rennie Grove Peace Hospice Care, in memory of his grandfather. So far, he has raised over £4,900 for the hospice which sent home nurses to take care of his grandfather, to help them take care of other families, too.
Ian found that complete strangers were incredibly kind to him over the course of his journey – and even more so when they found out why he was taking on the walk, many of them donating to his cause.
Charity check-in
At Smiley Movement, we like to elevate the work of charities across the world. Here are three charities whose causes align with the themes in this article.
Marie Curie. They provide care and support for people living with any terminal illness, and their families.Support them here.
Hospice UK. This is the national charity for hospice care. It champions and supports the work of organisations providing hospice care across the UK.Learn more here.
Sue Ryder. They provide palliative and neurological support from our specialist centres and in people’s homes.Find out more here.
A local DJ is raising money for charity, with the help of an accessible car race.
Great! What’s the story?
Yvette Chivers, also known as DJ MissChivers, 45, from Cambridge was diagnosed with the genetic eye condition Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) over twenty years ago.
Fifteen years ago, Yvette had to return her driving licence to the DVLA; but this year she is taking on AbleNet’s Blind Driving Experience to raise money for the RNIB – the Royal National Institute of Blind People.
Tell me more.
“I’m unbelievably excited to be back behind a steering wheel!” said Yvette. “When I learned I wouldn’t be able to drive anymore I was devastated, and it felt like I was stripped of my independence.
“So, I thought marking the anniversary with AbleNet’s Blind Driving Experience was a perfect way to do something I once enjoyed, and to raise money for RNIB who support a cause very close to my heart.”
For the experience, Yvette will be driving three supercars around an official track, accompanied by a professional instructor who will give feedback on direction and speed.
At Smiley Movement, we like to elevate the work of charities across the world. Here are three charities whose causes align with the themes in this article.
RNIB. This charity offers support to blind and partially sighted people across the UK. Learn more here.
BlindAid. This is London’s oldest charity for blind and visually impaired people, working to improve quality of life and promote independence.Support them here.
Guide Dogs UK. Guide Dogs supports and raises awareness for blind and partially sighted people.Find out more here.
NASA recently made headlines when they lost contact with the Voyager 2 spacecraft because of a programming error on Earth. The Voyager 2 is the planet’s second-ever spacecraft to enter interstellar space so there was disappointment at the loss.
But a last-ditch effort to make contact with the spacecraft was successful. NASA said it resumed full communications with the Voyager 2 after almost two weeks of silence from the interstellar spacecraft.
A Deep Space Network facility in Australia then sent “the equivalent of an interstellar ‘shout’” to the Voyager 2 telling it to turn its antenna back toward Earth. The signal was sent more than 12.3 billion miles away and it took 37 hours to get a response from the spacecraft, NASA said.
Voyager 2 entered interstellar space in November 2018, more than 40 years since it launched. To this day, Voyager 2 remains one of only two human-made objects to ever operate outside the heliosphere, which NASA defines as “the protective bubble of particles and magnetic fields generated by the Sun.”
Voyager 2 is also carrying what is essentially a message in a bottle. Should it find itself as the subject of another world’s discovery it holds a golden record containing a variety of natural sounds, greetings in 55 languages, and a 90-minute selection of music.
Charity check-in
At Smiley Movement, we like to elevate the work of charities across the world. Here are three charities whose causes align with the themes in this article.
Global Innovation Fund. An organization distributing grants to socially beneficial initiatives around the world. Find out more.
Pears Foundation. This organization runs a project dedicated to innovation. Discover their work.
Information Technology & Innovation Fund. They fund projects developing high-tech solutions to some of humanity’s biggest challenges. Explore their projects.
