We know that not everyone is able to get out and about easily. For some accessing the outdoors in difficult, if not impossible during the pandemic. If you are unable for any reason to be outside and carry out your own walk, we invite you to imagine or remember a walk you’ve once done, and/or to connect with other people online and artfully explore a virtual route and the three questions. If there’s a cultural venue near you, or a group that you’re part of that is running an event, you may want to take part through visiting a venue in a way that’s accessible for you, without incorporating a walk.

Artful Ways is open to many different forms of interpretation. If you take part and include a virtual route, the project team can add a track to the map, or you may choose not to name a route, and instead only to submit creative work in response to the concept, or to an online connection. Highlighting obstacles to access as well the range of places that are inclusive may be an outcome of this project; and including perspectives from people who face obstacles in everyday life may help to broaden the conversation about diversity and accessibility.

Absolutely – your route can be as short or as long as you like. Accessibility is something that we all need to become more aware of and when it comes to visiting culturally enriching places you may be able to highlight barriers and opportunities for improving accessibility.

Please carry out your walk and send us your GPX file and your answers to the questions by August 16th. If you are making something as a response, please send an image (or other file) by August 16th. This project is set up to record as many routes as possible in a short window of time, ahead of the exhibition launch in September.

Yes. You can do an artful way on your own or in company. We know some people love to walk alone and this might be a refreshing thing to do after the intensity of lockdown; or you may choose to walk alone to maintain social distancing that you are comfortable with. If you bring in an element of creativity and/or a cultural feature, this is still an artful way!

Yes. You can walk in a group of a size that you’re comfortable with, and that’s within any recommendations around social distancing. You may also join an organised group session. You may hear about one through your local networks or through a group you’re already part of. Some group sessions or organised meets will be shared through the Events page here

It is best to download the App to your device and practice using it before carrying out your Artful Way. Make sure your phone is fully charged before you start your walk.

• When you start the walk open up the App and press Start when you set off.

• You can then forget about the App then while you do the walk.

• When you have finished the walk press SAVE.

• You will be given the option to title your walk – go with the date, general area where you have walked and your name (this info will not appear on the map, but it helps us with pulling the material together).

• The track will be saved into a folder within the App. You can click on this and then it will give you a number of options, one of which is to email it. Please send it to us at artfulways.cumbria@gmail.com together with a short piece of writing as a reflection on your day and the three questions.

There is a one-page overview of the tracking process at the bottom of the Map page here: scroll down until you see DOWNLOAD THE ‘HOW TO’ GUIDE.

We would love to show a track of your walk but if you don’t have the right phone, or your tracking fails, or you are not able to leave the house and you want to contribute, we can add an icon to the map for you. Just send us an email and we will work with it.

The Apps we recommend are free. You will find links to the apps on the Map page here

You do not need to use our suggested App but any App or device you use MUST record a GPX track. This is the key piece of information we need to add your route onto the map. When you email us, please include the GPX file and a short piece of writing as a reflection of your day and any thoughts you have in response to the 3 questions. There are guidelines on the Map page here and there’s a one page overview you can download: scroll down until you see DOWNLOAD THE ‘HOW TO’ GUIDE.

No. The free-to-use Strava app makes map tracks but does not record the GPX file that we will need in order to add your track to the Artful Ways map. This is the key piece of information we need! There are guidelines on the Map page here and there’s a one page overview you can download: scroll down until you see DOWNLOAD THE ‘HOW TO’ GUIDE.

We need the GPX track of your route. When you have finished your walk, or come to the place you want to finish and you click ‘End or Save’ you will be asked what you want to do with the track.

• When you have finished the walk press SAVE.

• You will be given the option to title your walk – go with the date, general area where you have walked and your name (this info will not appear on the map, but it helps us with pulling the material together).

• The track will be saved into a folder within the App. You can click on this and then it will give you a number of options, one of which is to email it. Please send it to us at artfulways.cumbria@gmail.com together with a short piece of writing as a reflection on your day and in response to the three questions. There are guidelines and a downloadable one-page overview of the tracking process on the Map page here.

No. When you start your walk, press start on your tracking App. Then you can use your phone for calls and texts, to take photos, make audio recordings etc. If you’re going to be using your phone for all these things, and/or taking a long walk, you might want to take an external charger with you so you don’t run out of battery!

You will need an internet connection to download the App – but the App works using satellite technology so it should work even when the internet signal is weak or non-existent. That’s very handy! (But make sure to download and test the App before you head out.)

No – only one person needs to record the track. Any or all of you, though, can contribute a piece of creative work to add to the online collection and be considered for exhibition (link to submit your artwork page). And any or all of you can send an email with your reflections on the walk, your thoughts in response to the questions.

if you don’t have a smart phone, you can take part by sending an email with a note of where you’ve been, the cultural/creative element/s that feature on your route, and any thoughts you wish to share about creativity, connection. You can also send pictures with your email. We will be able to add an icon on the map but won’t be able to share your route.

Please use the hashtag #ArtfulWaysCumbria, whatever social media platform you are using. We’ll be searching for this hashtag to find out what is shared, and we will post some of the stories to the Artful Ways blog.

We’d also love to hear from you after you’ve done your walk. You can send us your thoughts in writing and/or images from your walk so that we can share this via the blog. The email address to use is artfulways.cumbria@gmail.com

Artful Ways has been devised with Covid-19 in mind. Restrictions around social distancing may alter from week to week, and individual preferences will not all be the same. Many people will prefer to stay in their ‘bubbles’ and some people may wish to walk alone, or not to venture out. If you do meet others outdoors who are not in your bubble, please follow guidelines for remaining safe. Venues that are open will be following regularly updated Covid protocols to maximise safety. Please do what feels right to you.

Artful Ways is building a map showing Cumbria’s cultural features and the routes people choose to take as they make creative connections. When you contribute your track for the map, your name will not be shared, and the project team will not pass your email address on to anyone, nor will we store your email address beyond the lifetime of the project (unless we have further correspondence where this is agreed).

The map will not reveal any name or other personally identifying features. If you choose to walk from your home/studio, you might prefer to start the App a few minutes away from your house. If you’re walking to or from a cultural venue (such as a museum) including this on your trail will ensure it is located on the map.

If you contribute something to be shared on the blog, your name will only appear if you’re happy for this to be the case. We can keep it to first names (e.g. Helen from Carlisle, or the team from Tullie House). Please let us know when you send us the information.