WATERSIDE Arts are determined to make sure people are not bored to tears by the new lockdown.

They have launched , Diverge, a digital hub which will entertain people at home.

Audiences can look forward to receiving a fantastic range of cultural and creative entertainment.

Digital works created by Waterside and Creative Industries, Trafford, will showcase work from artists in Trafford and work made in the borough.

The first to be streamed will be the annual Puppet Masters Conference to be shown, free, between Wednesday, November 11 and Saturday November 14.

Now in its sixth year, Puppet Masters is the UK’s number one conference for UK animators.

On November 11th at 6pm, Georgina Hayns model-maker, puppet maker and creative supervisor on well-known animation films will discuss her career.

Now in its sixth year, Puppet Masters is the UK’s number one conference for animators from all backgrounds, featuring masterclass talks from leading figures in animation. This year it will be accessed virtually through Diverge, with four events over four evenings, opening up the opportunity for a wider international audience to take part.

This year’s programme will feature ‘In Conservation with Phil Tippett’. Phil is one of animation’s most legendary figures, he is an Oscar and Emmy award-winning visual effects supervisor and producer specialising in stop motion whose credits include Star Wars and Jurassic Park.

On November 12, Steve Henderson from Manchester Animation Festival, will host a panel looking at guidance for emerging animators on how the industry is doing to survive the COVID:19 pandemic.

The following day, November 12 at 6, A panel discussion by established and emerging animators will guide prospective animators on how the industry will survive.

It will feature Laura Tofarides (Aardman, Junior Animator on Chuck Steel: Night of the Trampires), Sam Tipper (director of Socks), Zoe Hutber (director of Toyhood and BAFTA nominated Short Changed) and Ben Gardener and Phil Wall (director and writer of Patricia and the Witch).They will be hosted by Steve Henderson.

On November 13 Francesca Maxwell , a production designer, will speak about Storytelling through Visual Images. She has worked with Tim Burton, Wes Anderson and Aardman Animations and a tutor on a National Film and TV School Production Design Course.

The programme will end on November 16 with In Conversation with Phil Tippett.

For more information and to register see divergehub.org

Waterside Arts will not reopen to the public until Spring 2021.