THE cancellation of live events has led cultural organisations and individuals to get creative online. Here are some of the ways you can engage with local arts on a digital platform:

* Bradford oil painter David Starley is reaching out to those who can’t make art classes, by posting painting demonstrations online.

“Painting must be one of the most popular hobbies and our region has a large number of art clubs, providing an evening or afternoon out with like-minded people in a sociable, engaging activity,” says David, who works from The Bingley Gallery. “With a high proportion of members being in the 70-plus age range, these art clubs were among the earliest events to be cancelled due to the Covid-19 epidemic.

“After many years giving demonstrations and enjoying the enthusiastic welcome of these groups, I realised that for many individuals, their weekly ‘fix’ of painting was going to be sorely missed. So I’m providing ‘movie clips’ of painting demonstrations and sending them out, available free of charge to local groups and members to be enjoyed in a safe environment at home.

“Although demonstrations can’t replicate the sociable ambience of a club, they do encourage budding artists to replicate the style of painting. Art can be so absorbing, it allows even serious concerns to be put to the back of one’s mind.”

David is happy for images of paintings to be sent back to him for feedback. The first clip can be found at youtube.com. Contact David on (01274) 552143 or 07792 242143, email davidstarley@yahoo.co.uk or visit davidstarleyartist.com

* While many of Northern Ballet’s upcoming performances have been cancelled or are at risk of cancellation, the Leeds-based company is making a selection of ballets from its repertoire, plus a new original dance film, available to watch online or on TV as part of its ‘Pay As You Feel’ digital season. Over coming weeks viewers can tune into Northern ballet’s 1984, Little Red Riding Hood and Dracula from the comfort of their homes, as well as new dance film, EGO.

Audiences are asked to consider making a donation, as they watch digital content, to support the company. “Lost income from cancelled performances could affect Northern Ballet’s ability to pay the workforce, many of whom are freelancers, as well as their ability to present new ballets, including Merlin which is planned to première this autumn,” says a spokesman. “Those who wish to support the Company can donate at northernballet.com/pay-as-you-feel.”

What to watch at northernballet.com: Kenneth Tindall and Dan Lowenstein’s EGO, exploring parallel versions of one couple’s relationship, kicks off the season and is available at northernballet.com/ego.

Jonathan Watkins’ award-winning 1984, premiered in 2015 to critical acclaim, is available from today. Based on George Orwell’s masterpiece, the ballet follows Winston Smith’s life of conformity under the watchful eye of Big Brother.

CBeebies will screen their version of Mariana Rodrigues’ Little Red Riding Hood on Friday, April 10 at 9.30am. Created for children, the show re-tells the fairytale with a twist.

From Friday, April 17, extended highlights from Northern Ballet’s 50th Anniversary Celebration Gala will be available. The sell-out performance, at Leeds Grand Theatre, featured excerpts of productions from the company’s history and brought together companies such as the Royal Ballet and Phoenix Dance Theatre alongside Northern Ballet’s dancers.

After wowing audiences with live-to-cinema performances last Halloween, David Nixon’s Dracula makes its TV debut as part of the BBC’s Culture in Quarantine Season. Bram Stoker’s legendary vampire lives on in this extraordinary ballet, available to watch in coming weeks on BBC Four and iPlayer.

* The National Science and Media Museum is temporarily closed but its blog is a treasure trove of information about its collection, exhibitions and ongoing projects. More than 325,000 historic objects, photographs and archive materials can be discovered through online collection, from typewriters and trains to magic lantern slides, surgical tools and retro videogame cassettes. Many items have only recently been published online as part of a five-year project to give the public unprecedented access to the collection. The Science Museum Group hasonline learning resources to help parents teach from home, and a blog on the science behind coronavirus.

With Pictureville closed, film fans can explore free archive films on BFI Player, available in the museum’s BFI Mediatheque.

Museum director Jo Quinton-Tulloch said: “Along with many cultural institutions we’re working to bring even more of our offer and resources online at this time so everyone can continue to explore our collections and learning resources from home.

“We will continue sharing innovative ways to keep in touch until our doors re-open, as well as supporting other organisations and partners during this period by sharing their projects.”

Visit blog.scienceandmediamuseum.org.uk and sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk