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Original poster

Do you consider yourself 'cultured' ?

71 replies

wavingfuriously · 20/10/2023 23:09

I used to be an active film buff going to loads of screenings if some critic said the film was half decent and really enjoyed that, also read the newspapers avidly - ok that is a bit pathetic but there are some really interesting articles in them. Also visited art galleries and exhibitions...

Arrival of covid and then cost of living problems has changed all that and I'm lucky to splash out on a streaming service now and again 🙄 Living in the capital and with all the opportunities available I feel bit disappointed that chances for a bit of culture have almost slipped entirely from my grasp..
Why does all that matter you might think ?! well it's not the be all and end all but as i'm on my own and unsuccessful in other aspects of life getting a regular dose of the arts scene was important to me..

Really don't want to end up as a couch potato for rest of my life !😕

OP posts:
Goodornot · 20/10/2023 23:12

Most galleries and museums in London are free. There are paid exhibitions but the galleries are free.

Dalhoussie · 20/10/2023 23:15

Yes, go to all the free stuff! Don’t worry about the blockbuster exhibitions. You could entertain yourself every weekend for a year by choosing one or two rooms in a free gallery and taking your time there. As well as the big names there are others like sir John soames of the frick institute or the Wellcome to explore.

feralunderclass · 20/10/2023 23:15

I was thinking about starting a thread about how young adults with little money can obtain cultural capital. I hope this thread might give some ideas.

SkaneTos · 20/10/2023 23:15

I varies for me! These last three weeks I have been to two art exhibitions and one play. And I went to several plays during the summer too. But I have nothing planned for the coming weeks, and didn't do a lot this spring, either.

Some stuff is expensive! I would like to go to the opera, but the tickets are expensive.
But there are some really good free museums and exhibitions, too.

Original poster
wavingfuriously · 20/10/2023 23:16

@Goodornot thanks but there's something else as well, i don't like going on the tube..well lots don't but all this staying in during Covid and forced isolation etc..really has got to me

OP posts:
Goodornot · 20/10/2023 23:17

SkaneTos · 20/10/2023 23:15

I varies for me! These last three weeks I have been to two art exhibitions and one play. And I went to several plays during the summer too. But I have nothing planned for the coming weeks, and didn't do a lot this spring, either.

Some stuff is expensive! I would like to go to the opera, but the tickets are expensive.
But there are some really good free museums and exhibitions, too.

Not necessarily is opera expensive. Book early enough at the ROH and you can get £25-£30 tickets in the gods.

Edit - £10 if you don't mind standing

FriedasCarLoad · 20/10/2023 23:17

I used to. I was well read, often visited art galleries and went to concerts (and performed in them as a professional musician). I hardly missed a production of ballet or opera at Covent garden.

Now with little spare money and even less time, life is rather different! Not least, I've embraced the outdoors and exercise to aid my mental health.

However, I'm getting back into culture to an extent. I'm home educating my children and we enjoy the riches of poetry and wonderful literature, of fine art and of beautiful music. I love introducing them to the wealth of culture around us.

Original poster
wavingfuriously · 20/10/2023 23:18

@Dalhoussie yes thanks that is true! last time in the area i wandered into the Welcome museum and it was brilliant😊

OP posts:
feralunderclass · 20/10/2023 23:19

I don't think going to galleries makes you cultured per se. I've been to loads, but I don't really gain much from them other than "ooh that's a nice/not so nice picture". I'm not particularly interested in the history of art so they don't 'speak' to me.
Travel wise I like to think that I'm fairly cultured. There was a fab app in lockdown (that of course I can't remember the name of now) where guides would go on tours of places and you would get a virtual tour. So even if I hadn't visited in person I felt like I'd been there.

Burnoutwhat · 20/10/2023 23:21

Yes but I work in the cultural sector so I need to at least try! I still find it hard to see lots of art. I go to free exhibitions, have a cinema card for a multiplex and do cheap theatre, which I prefer (small scale productions).

Original poster
wavingfuriously · 20/10/2023 23:22

@FriedasCarLoad sounds amazing😊but how are you discovering culture without going to see it ?

OP posts:
Plexie · 20/10/2023 23:23

If you can get into central London there are loads of commercial art galleries with free temporary exhibitions. It can be a bit intimidating at first - some galleries you have to press a buzzer to be let in but others you walk in off the street like a shop. You just learn which ones you feel comfortable with. There are lots of galleries in Mayfair and you could easily spend half a day doing a tour of exhibitions that take your fancy.

GalleriesNow.net is a good source of what's on.

SkaneTos · 20/10/2023 23:24

Goodornot · 20/10/2023 23:17

Not necessarily is opera expensive. Book early enough at the ROH and you can get £25-£30 tickets in the gods.

Edit - £10 if you don't mind standing

Edited
Show quote history

Thank you! I will look into it.

Original poster
wavingfuriously · 20/10/2023 23:24

@Plexie ooh thank you

OP posts:
Itsenough4now · 20/10/2023 23:25

Have you checked out your local arts scene? There are often little theatres, independent cinemas and local museums that fly under the radar so much that even local people don't know they exist. You might be surprised what you can do within walking distance!

feralunderclass · 20/10/2023 23:27

Plexie · 20/10/2023 23:23

If you can get into central London there are loads of commercial art galleries with free temporary exhibitions. It can be a bit intimidating at first - some galleries you have to press a buzzer to be let in but others you walk in off the street like a shop. You just learn which ones you feel comfortable with. There are lots of galleries in Mayfair and you could easily spend half a day doing a tour of exhibitions that take your fancy.

GalleriesNow.net is a good source of what's on.

So many of us live nowhere near London, it's quite irking when people say museums are expensive and then a hundred people suggest Tate or whatever. I know you meant that helpfully, but still.

feralunderclass · 20/10/2023 23:28

And @Plexie sorry I don't mean you personally, but there seems to be an assumption on MN that most people live a bus ride away from central London.

TheGooseDrankWine · 20/10/2023 23:33

feralunderclass · 20/10/2023 23:27

So many of us live nowhere near London, it's quite irking when people say museums are expensive and then a hundred people suggest Tate or whatever. I know you meant that helpfully, but still.

Show quote history

But it’s aimed at the OP… who says she does live in London.

Goodornot · 20/10/2023 23:33

feralunderclass · 20/10/2023 23:27

So many of us live nowhere near London, it's quite irking when people say museums are expensive and then a hundred people suggest Tate or whatever. I know you meant that helpfully, but still.

Show quote history

But the OP said she was in the capital so I directed my response around London as you know it's her thread and she lives there as do I.

As for not wanting the tube OP we'll you do seem to be looking for reasons not to do these things so perhaps you don't really want to.

RampantIvy · 20/10/2023 23:39

I love a bit of culture. DH isn't bothered so when my sister visits or I stay with her we visit as many NT properties as we can.

I'm off to a classical music concert in a couple of weeks and I love going to the theatre. Sadly, I don't go as often as I would like to.

leminoe · 20/10/2023 23:43

Yes, culture is important to me. I've studied art at degree level and used to go to tons of galleries every week, and I've lived in London for most of my life, even after having dc, because having access to the arts is important for me.

I don't get out to new exhibitions as often now as I have young dc, but I get them involved in cultural visits whenever I can (but taking them to age-appropriate or very immersive experiences). Lots of concerts and workshops for under 5s, literary festivals, opera, dance, theatre productions (all very creative and interesting even for an adult), and of course tons of museum and galleries. Some of it costs a fair bit but I usually get DH in for free as I have a disability, and youngest dc is often free as a babe in arms.

There are often great free festivals going on in London, you just need to get on various listing websites and blogs. This weekend there's the Bloomsbury Festival. I really like the Greenwich and Docklands Festival. Places like LSO do free concerts. I am on some seat filler websites which offer theatre/gig tickets last minute for a small processing fee (£5). And free lectures at Gresham College (and lots of unis do the same, check each uni for their public events).

Plexie · 20/10/2023 23:45

@feralunderclass - there are commercial galleries outside London too! It's just a matter of finding them. And getting over the feeling that you shouldn't be there because you're not a high spending art buyer. I've only recently started exploring them and they're a great source of seeing contemporary art (with a small 'c' - ie artists working now, not 100+ years ago).

And don't underestimate regional and local museums - they're often more informative than the big national museums in London. And in London there aren't really any 'local' museums that reflect the history of local ways of life, so we have to travel outside of London for that.

Sgtmajormummy · 20/10/2023 23:47

There is live ballet and theatre streamed to cinemas. AFAIK opera too. Sure to be cheaper than going to the ROH and probably a better view than from the cheap seats.
https://findavenue.ntlive.com/our-programme/

National Theatre Live | Official website: Find tickets

Find tickets at your local cinema for National Theatre Live screenings. Search according to your location and see what's on.

https://findavenue.ntlive.com/our-programme/

AmazingSnakeHead · 20/10/2023 23:47

I'm not cultured at all. It's a shame because I love reading but just waste too much time on Mumsnet and various other stuff.

feralunderclass · 20/10/2023 23:48

@Goodornot @TheGooseDrankWine apologies I missed that. But it happens all the time on here, an OP will say taking kids out over the weekend is expensive (without specifying where she lives) and so many posters will say there's so much to do and start listing off free things to do in Central London. I'm probably just jealous as I'd love to be availing of all of these things, but Central London for so many is a holiday, not a bus journey away. Anyway, back to the thread 😁