B’opera – Apprentice Artist Opportunity

B’Opera are seeking an Apprentice Artist to support their ‘More in Common’ project with Art Works at The Springfield Project in Sparkhill.

B’Opera are seeking an Apprentice Artist to support their ‘More in Common’ project with Art Works at The Springfield Project in Sparkhill.

Organisation: B’Opera and Art Works Hall Green Production: More in Common (working title)

Time period: From devising (December 2021) to performance (February 2022)

Hours and fee: £10 per hour for 37.5 hours (to be confirmed with B’Opera on appointment)

Location: In meetings/rehearsals online and in Edgbaston, Ladywood, Hall Green and Sparkhill, Birmingham

The Role: The Apprentice Artist will gain all-round experience tailored to their current skills and needs, to include workshop-leading or shadowing, devising, performing, project administration, marketing and contributing to the evaluation. We will also make available CPD and training, for example through the Birmingham Early Years Music Consortium, Sounds of Play. There will be mentoring available, allowing the shadow artist to talk through and reflect on their experiences on the ground, with a structured framework to think about them in ways that will deepen and further their learning. Involvement in this project will give the shadow artist valuable networking opportunities within the sector with the potential to lead to future independent professional opportunities. Art Works will actively seek opportunities to support a Shadow Artist through our networks and other programmes across Hall Green.

Person Specification 

  • We are particularly keen to hear from people local to Sparkhill where the project is taking place and we actively encourage applications from those who reflect the demographic of those who access The Springfield Project’s services.
  • Some music/singing experience 
  • Some experience leading workshops, or desire to gain some
  • Some experience working with children under 5, or desire to gain some
  • Some experience of using social media and creating graphics and posts to communicate effectively
  • Open and honest communication
  • A positive attitude with a high level of self-motivation and ability to work on your initiative

How to Apply: Please email a short biography along with any relevant links to your work; and either of the below detailing why you are interested in the role to hello@artworkshallgreen.co.uk

  • A cover note OR 
  • A maximum 5-minute voice note 
  • Deadline: Friday 26th November, 12 midday

For more information about B’Opera, go to www.bopera.co.uk

For more information about the project, go to https://artworkshallgreen.co.uk/bopera-more-in-common/

FREE Craft Fair stalls for young makers

The GAP is holding a Winter Craft Fair on Saturday 11th December (11.30am – 4.30pm) and we’re offering young makers the opportunity to apply for a FREE stall to showcase and sell their products.

The GAP is holding a Winter Craft Fair on Saturday 11th December (11.30am – 4.30pm) and we’re offering young makers the opportunity to apply for a FREE stall to showcase and sell their products.

The GAP gallery space will be transformed into a mini market of all things hand-made – jewellery, textiles, ceramics, art prints, zines, gifts, etc… you name it! The craft fair will sit right next to our bustling, cosy cafe and will form part of Balsall Heath Second Saturday – a monthly mini-festival celebrating culture and community in the local area – so we’re sure to draw lots of visitors.

Applications are open to all young people (aged 25 and under) living in Birmingham, and we’d especially love to involve those living in Balsall Heath.

“Why is there an age limit?” As a youth arts organisation, our work is focused on generating opportunities for supporting the creative lives and livelihoods of young people.

To apply, simply fill in this application form – https://cutt.ly/nTuuTYJ

DEADLINE ~ Mon 22nd Nov, 5pm

We have a limited number of stall spaces and so will only be able to accept a small number of applications. We will notify you of the outcome by the end of Tues 23rd Nov.

For more information about The GAP, visit www.thegapartsproject.co.uk

My City, My Home – book release

MY CITY, MYHOME, a brand new book featuring a collection of writings by women and girls in Birmingham (UK), Bangladesh and Pakistan, has been launched at a special event at Midlands Arts Centre hosted by writer and author Kavita Bhanot.

MY CITY, MY HOME a brand-new book featuring a collection of writings by women and girls in Birmingham (UK), Bangladesh and Pakistan, has been launched at a special event at Midlands Arts Centre hosted by writer and author Kavita Bhanot.

Published in English, Urdu and Bangla, MY CITY, MY HOME is a ground-breaking publication featuring 184 poems, short-stories and other prose from writers, and those new to writing, reflecting on the identity and the role of women in 21st century society. 

The book was made possible through a specially commissioned, international writing competition launched by Sampad South Asian Arts & Heritage in September 2020, a year which marked the company’s 30th anniversary. 

Birmingham-based Sampad, one of the UK’s leading arts development agencies, worked alongside Project Associates in Pakistan and Bangladesh connecting online with diverse groups of women and girls in their countries and supporting them through workshops to participate.

As the world is reeling under the impact of a pandemic ‘MY CITY, MY  HOME’ illuminates the possibilities of uniting women across nations to express poignantly that they do have the power of words that can make a difference in our societies, now and in the future.

Piali Ray OBE, Artistic Director at Sampad said “The theme MY CITY, MY HOME’ has strong personal resonance with me in the same way that it connected with many women who responded to our call for this writing competition. 

It was greatly rewarding to receive 280 entries from the many unheard voices of women who shared their emotions, ambitions, joys, dreams, disappointments, resentment and pain. Their words resonate with each other towards a place of strength, identity and belonging. We connect in their personal journeys and treasured memories and it is a delight to be able to share them.”

Out of the 184 entries selected by judges, three overall winners were chosen for their particular writing skills and themes and are featured in the book each representing their own location:

  • English language: Ilika Chakravarty Mandal, Birmingham, UK, ‘Yellow Sweater’
  • Bangla Language: Shahana Yasmin, Dhaka, Bangladesh, ‘Ek kichhui korena meyer golpo’ 
  • Urdu language: Nadia Umer, Lahore, Pakistan. ‘Shehar Kay Dil’

Commenting on her work Bangladesh overall winner Shahana Yasmin said: “In Dhaka, the city I live in, you can see mothers of school children waiting outside the school for 5 to 6 hours every day. This city does not have any public toilets for women. These mothers cannot go to the toilet for a long time and develop urinary diseases. Their husbands don’t find them attractive so they have relationships with other women. I wanted to write about the plight of these mothers. ‘MY CITY, MY HOME’ inspired me to write this.”

Ilika Chakravarty Mandal, Birmingham (UK) overall winner added: “Having moved across cities and continents through study, marriage, work and motherhood, I have often questioned myself: What is home? Where is home? ‘MY CITY, MY HOME’ was a topic to which my persona instantly connected. So much so, that I picked up my pen after almost thirty years to use the dying art of letter writing in a personal note for my ageing mum, who now seemed even more geographically distanced in a post-COVID world. To see my story published and shared is simply fabulous and I am inspired to try writing more regularly.”

‘MY CITY, MY HOME’ is part of Transforming Narratives, a groundbreaking project that supports creative and cultural practitioners and organisations in Birmingham to engage in exchange with artists and organisations in cities in Pakistan and Bangladesh. 

Sophina Jagot, Project Director Transforming Narratives commented: Transforming Narratives offers a range of platforms for new artistic voices, exchanging narratives around contemporary lived experience across Birmingham (UK), Pakistan and Bangladesh and MY CITY, MY HOME certainly delivers on that ambition. 

We are delighted to be working with Sampad to share the words of women across these three countries, in some instances sharing their words for the first time, and to feel a connection with all their experiences and ambitions.”

MY CITY, MY HOME, published by Sampad South Asian Arts & Heritage, is available via marketing@sampad.org.uk

Amongst those attending the launch were: Piali Ray OBE (Artistic Director, Sampad), Nushin Hussain (Project Coordinator,Transforming Narratives), Dawn Carr (Health and Well-Being Officer & SIMRA at Legacy West Midlands), Sarah Kennedy (Senior Relationship Manager, Arts Council England), Deborah Kermode (CEO/Artistic Director, Midlands Arts Centre).

Sampad would like to thank all those involved with the making of this publication.

Sampad acknowledges support from the British Council, Arts Council England, Transforming Narratives andBirmingham City Council.

Soothing Stitches with Sharper Arts at Highfield Hall

Sally Harper from Sharper Arts shares information about her most recent project, with a group who meet at Highfield Hall in Hall Green.

Sally Harper from Sharper Arts shares information about her most recent project, with a group who meet at Highfield Hall in Hall Green.

Soothing stitches – The aim of the project

To reach out to adults 50+ members of the community that may be isolated or lonely and engage them in a group activity, to enable them to feel part of a group.  Sally will do this by providing weekly makes and interactions through face-to-face workshops and craft kits.  These kits would be created, distributed, and workshops led by Sharper Arts. For the people not attending the workshops Sally will be offering advice and help to create the items from the kits through social media, WhatsApp and by e-mail.

The six kits/ workshops will include fabric hearts, fabric jewellery, bunting, pockets and pouches, handmade books, and fabric wreaths.

Our ‘Sip and Stitch’ session will be face to face workshops that will last an hour and will be taking place at Highfield Hall. This will allow members of the community to come together, try out a new skill and share what they have made with others. There will be 10 places available for the face-to-face workshops and a further 15 kits available for members of the community to collect to make at home.

The whole soul of the project would be to keep the community connected and have a sense of achievement in these troubling times and living through a pandemic.

Four focus areas of the project

Together: This project is all about coming together, making friends, combating isolation and loneliness, and enjoying working together to experience different ideas.

Environmental: We will be using as much recycled fabric, materials, threads, and trims as we possibly can. Materials have come from donations and from local scrap stores rather than buying new fabrics we can re purpose and redesign to use materials destined for landfill.

Up skill: Everything that we will make will be very simple. No need for a sewing machine or fancy gadget or materials, Sally has designed the sessions so that they are easily accessible to a wide range of people. The hope is that once the people attending the workshops have created from their kits, they will share with family members and friends.

Sharing: To empower and celebrate everything that is created. There is no right or wrong to this project and it would be great to share lots of different ideas that have had the same starting point. Social media and WhatsApp will enable us to share with those not attending the sessions but might want to give the ideas a go in the future.

Contact Sally for more info: 07808 988945/ sharperarts@btinternet.com

Social Media: Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/soothingstitchesbirmingham/

Web: www.soothingstitches.co.uk

About Sharper Arts

Sally Harper from Sharper Arts is a community artist who has been delivering projects and workshops for over 20 years within the West Midlands. As a small organisation the work that Sally does is inspired by the needs of the community as she delivers quality projects in conjunction with other organisations such as Near Neighbours, Sampad and The Springfield Project within the local area. There is a big focus on bringing the community together to combat isolation and loneliness as well as sharing new skills and developing ideas together.

Birmingham Royal Ballet’s LEAP Ambassador Scheme

LEAP Ambassadors are a group of young people aged 16-25 who are selected via application onto Birmingham Royal Ballet’s professional development programme, led by the Learning, Engagement, Access & Participation department. The programme offers a unique opportunity for young people to investigate behind the scenes, experience practical projects, develop new skills, meet new people and become an integral part to a vibrant arts organisation.

LEAP Ambassadors are a group of young people aged 16-25 who are selected via application onto Birmingham Royal Ballet’s professional development programme, led by the Learning, Engagement, Access & Participation department. The programme offers a unique opportunity for young people to investigate behind the scenes, experience practical projects, develop new skills, meet new people and become an integral part to a vibrant arts organisation. 

Ambassadors participate in group training sessions, which offer insight into the various departments and job roles available in a large arts organisation. These include Project Management, Company Management, Brand, Marketing & Communications, Technical Production and much more! Adding further value, Ambassadors receive a personalised training programme tailored to their interests, where they have the chance to shadow a member of staff and gain invaluable ‘hands on’ experience.

Following a successful pilot year in 19/20 and a year break due to the pandemic, we’re delighted to be opening the doors to this programme again. This year’s programme will take place November 2021 – July 2022 and culminate with a sharing of the Ambassadors achievements and the LEAP Ambassadors Celebration on Friday 8 July 2022 in the Patrick Studio, Birmingham Hippodrome.

How do I apply?

Please download the LEAP Ambassadors application pack and application form from our website:

www.brb.org.uk/get-involved/ambassadors

The deadline for applications is Friday 22 October 2021. Any applications received after this date will not be accepted.

Please note this programme is not suited to people working professionally in the arts.Want to find out more?

If you have any queries about applications or would like to informally ask for more details about the programme, please contact Hannah MacGregor on 0121 245 3534 or email hannahmacgregor@brb.org.uk

Freelance opportunity – Set, Props and Costume Designer/Maker for B’Opera

The Set Designer will be responsible for all aspects of sourcing materials for, designing and building sets for B’Opera’s forthcoming production of More In Common (working title).

Organisation: B’Opera and Art Works Hall Green

Time period: From devising (October 2021) to performance (February 2022)

Fee: £1,000 inclusive of materials budget.

Location: In rehearsals in Edgbaston, Ladywood, Hall Green and Sparkbrook, Birmingham

Purpose of the role: The Set Designer will be responsible for all aspects of sourcing materials for, designing and building sets for B’Opera’s forthcoming production of More In Common (working title).

The Designer/Maker will report to the Director.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

  • To design and oversee the purchase and/or making of props, costume and any set
  • To instruct the cast on how to set the props and any set for performance
  • To attend some rehearsals and participate in design and production meetings
  • When designing, to consider the different venue spaces the performances may be shown in and design a set that can be scaled up and down – e.g.,  for digital and outdoor performances
  •  To make a site visit to the location in Sparkbrook
  •  To provide own tools and other specialist equipment required
  • Adhere to, and actively contribute to B’Opera and Art Works Hall Green policies, including Equalities (diversity, access, equal opportunities), Environmental and Health & Safety
  • To maximise income and minimise expenditure wherever possible, without jeopardising the quality of the work or the reputation of B’Opera

Person Specification

  • Experience designing costumes, props or set for professional performances or other comparable experience
  • Be able to creatively and effectively work to a brief
  • Experience working to design budgets
  • Open and honest communication
  • A positive attitude with a high level of self-motivation and ability to work on your initiative

How to Apply:

Please email a biography along with any images of your design work; and either of the below detailing why you are interested in the role to hello@artworkshallgreen.co.uk

  • A cover note OR
  • A maximum 5-minute voice note

Deadline: Thursday 14th October 12 midday

About B’Opera

B’Opera make beautiful music for young ears, through high quality, interactive musical experiences. Our aim is to make classical music available to babies, toddlers and their grown-ups of all backgrounds.

www.bopera.co.uk

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BoperaBabyOpera/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/boperababyopera/

We’re committed to equal opportunities and to creating a work environment free from discrimination in which all can thrive. We recognise and value the benefits of a diverse workforce and we welcome applications from people of all backgrounds. B’Opera are particularly keen to provide opportunities to mothers and primary care-givers.

Blossom in Birmingham – job opportunities

The National Trust in Birmingham is recruiting for a Project Manager and Senior Project Coordinator to work with us on our ‘Blossom Together’ project to coincide with the Birmingham 2022 Festival.

The National Trust in Birmingham is recruiting for a Project Manager and Senior Project Coordinator to work with us on our ‘Blossom Together’ project to coincide with the Birmingham 2022 Festival. 

Project Manager: IRC107992 – Project Manager (nationaltrust.org.uk)

Senior Project Coordinator: IRC107991 – Senior Project Co-ordinator (nationaltrust.org.uk)

Blossom is the National Trust’s multi-year national programme and campaign that’s all about embedding blossom season as a time in the year for us to celebrate and reflect, connect with nature, culture and each other; and next year we’re bringing Blossom to Birmingham. 

These roles will be working with partners to deliver a programme that seeks to bring blossom to unexpected places and green spaces through a series of blossom tree ‘installations’ and a programme of tree planting in communities and a range of places across Birmingham and the Black Country during 2022 and 2023. 

The closing date for applications is Sunday 3 October.

Paid Opportunity! Youth Arts Leader Assistant

The Gap Arts are looking for a young person aged 18 – 21 years to join them as a Youth Arts Leader Assistant for the first four months of an exciting new project that will form a new, long-term project for local young people aged 15 – 21.

Application Deadline: 4th October, 9am

Interview Date: 7th October

Selection Date: 8th October

Start Date: Week beginning 11th October 2021

End Date: 14th March 2022

Fee: £600 (60 hours@£10p/h)

Availability: You must be available for weekly evening sessions on Mondays between 18th October and 14th Feb, as well as 3 full days over October half-term holidays. These sessions will be in-person, unless COVID restrictions mean sessions must move online. Responsibilities outside of sessions can be arranged flexibly around your own availability, with the possibility to be done remotely if needed.

Overview: The GAP will soon be starting an exciting new project that will form a new, long-term group of local young people aged 15 – 21 that will meet regularly to engage in creative and cultural activities, critically reflect on their needs and interests, develop arts leadership skills, and collaborate to produce artworks, events and exhibitions as part of The GAP’s programme. This group will grow to play a vital role in shaping the future direction of The GAP’s creative and cultural provision for young people in Balsall Heath, wider Birmingham and beyond.

We are looking for a young person aged 18 – 21 years to join us as a Youth Arts Leader Assistant for the first four months of this exciting journey, supporting the smooth running of the project, documenting the process, and contributing towards enhancing youth voice within The GAP’s governance. This role is a fantastic development opportunity to gain skills in arts leadership that can be applied and genuinely make a long-term difference within an arts organisation. As well as participating in project sessions, you’ll gain additional insights into the ‘behind-the-scenes’ of a small arts charity and receive mentoring from members of The GAP team. You will be offered training and progression routes that will enable you to continue your youth-leadership role at The GAP, whilst also providing highly transferable skills that will increase employability elsewhere.

Responsibilities:

  • Attending, participating, and assisting with all workshop sessions
  • Documenting the project through photography, regular social media posts and blogging
  • Shadowing some planning sessions with The GAP team and contributing your ideas and insight from a young person’s perspective
  • Acting as a peer-mentor to the other young people participating in the project
  • Undertaking Board Member training, with a view to joining The GAP’s Board of Trustees post-project (non-paid post)
  • Attending and contributing towards one of The GAP’s Trustee meetings by presenting a report of what’s been happening with the project and sharing this with Trustees

Person Specification: You must:

  • Be aged 18 – 21
  • Live in Birmingham
  • Have a real interest in arts and culture
  • Be excited by The GAP’s work and feel a desire to contribute towards its development
  • Be able to communicate effectively with people of different ages and backgrounds

Ideally you will:

  • Live in Balsall Heath or the surrounding area
  • Care deeply about the needs of young people and the local community, and be curious about how creativity and culture can be used to respond to these needs
  • Have skills in photography, writing and/or social media
  • We especially welcome applications from people not in education, employment or training, and those from backgrounds that are underrepresented in the arts

To apply:

Fill out this application form – https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1xYLPP-xPjzpiFPJ-dHlUlFwvJhUNTmElV0kNtfRiNUE/viewform?edit_requested=true

If you prefer, you can send an audio or video recording of your responses to these questions via WeTransfer to admin@thegapartsproject.co.uk with the subject ‘Youth Arts Leader Assistant Application’

Any questions you’d like to ask before you apply? Send an email to admin@thegapartsproject.co.uk

Arts Connect seeking Artists and Young Assistant Artist for School Arts Ambassador Network

We’d like to share news of two opportunities for artists to work with Arts Connect..

We’d like to share news of two opportunities for artists to work with Arts Connect.

CALL FOR ARTISTS/ARTS ORGANISATIONS with expertise in Animation (Traditional animation, 2D animation, 3D animation, Typography Animation, Clay animation, Flip book Animation, Stop-motion animation), film/digital arts and moving image skills with a linked focus to Digital Literacy.

We are looking for an artist/s, or arts organisation, to work with 9 schools in the Windsor Academy Trust Arts Ambassador Network to explore the theme of Inspiration.  The schools wish to focus work around Inspiration linked to: aspiration, exploration, journey, diversity, connections and our futures; whilst also recognising their ASPIRE curriculum. It is hoped that each of the schools will create a digital artwork/s to contribute towards a Celebration Event, either in a cinema or theatre space. We envisage the artist/s will be experienced within digital and animation practice and offer a range of techniques and approaches for the students and staff to experience and develop their skills. 

Fee: £13, 400

Deadline: 17th September 2021 (no later than 12.00 noon)

For information on the role, and how to apply, please visit our website: https://www.artsconnect.co.uk/commission-arts-ambassador-schools-network/


CALL OUT FOR A YOUNG ASSISTANT ARTIST (up to, and including, 25 years) with expertise in one or more of the following areas:

·       Animation (Traditional animation, 2D animation, 3D animation, Typography Animation, Clay animation, Flip book Animation, Stop-motion animation),

·       Film/digital arts and moving image skills, with a linked focus to Digital Literacy.

We are particularly keen to support young artists, up to and including 25 years, who are interested in developing experience and skills around working with schools. This opportunity will involve being mentored by both Arts Connect and the lead appointed artist/s, as well as assisting the lead artist in the planning, delivery and evaluation as part of the overall commission with 9 schools (both primary and secondary).

Fee: £1,500 inclusive of travel

Deadline: 1st October 2021 (no later than 12.00 noon)

For information on the role, and how to apply, please visit our website: https://www.artsconnect.co.uk/arts-ambassador-schools-network-commission-assistant-artist/

Ort Gallery is recruiting a new Artistic Lead!

We are looking for a motivated and creative individual who is passionate about social justice and the role the arts can play in making our society better and fairer.

We are looking for a motivated and creative individual who is passionate about social justice and the role the arts can play in making our society better and fairer.

We want to encourage people to apply for this role with little or no leadership experience. This is because we believe that the arts industry is made up of too few people from marginalised backgrounds and we are passionate to support these individuals to reach these roles with proper dedicated support. For the first 5 months in post you will essentially share your role with the existing artistic director before she leaves the post to you. This is not to intimidate you but to ensure you are ready and feel supported.

The fee advertised for this post is currently lower than we we would like. This is because we are project funded and are yet to secure core funding. You will therefore initially have a 1 year fixed term contract. We want to work with you to extend this contract to a maximum of 4 years in total and increase the fee to be nearer £25 to £30k. We are aware this is an ambitious proposal but we also know that our team is capable of achieving our ambitious goals.

We want to support people before they make a decision to apply to this role to ensure you feel confident that we are the right employer for you. Please get in touch with us to take up the following opportunities:

– Warmth training via zoom
– Practical shadowing of the team in person
– A one-to-one chat with someone from the team to answer any questions

Black, Asian, minoritised community, disabled and candidates from the LGBT+ community are particularly encouraged to apply for the role. We pledge to interview every applicant from a B10, B11 and B12 postcode and every applicant who identifies as disabled who fulfils the basic requirements for the post.

Please download the full job description here

Craftspace Job Opportunity: Project Manager

Over the next 12 months Craftspace will be working on an ambitious programme of making and participation across Birmingham leading upto the Commonwealth Games in 2022.  They are seeking an experienced and energetic Project Manager to join us on a freelance basis.

Over the next 12 months Craftspace will be working on an ambitious programme of making and participation across Birmingham leading up to the Commonwealth Games in 2022.  They are seeking an experienced and energetic Project Manager to join us on a freelance basis.

Full details, including more details about the role, the nature of the contract and timescales, in addition to the fee and how to apply can be found here.

The deadline for submissions is 9.00 am on Thursday 16th September.

What’s The Truth? What Have You Heard?

What’s the truth? What have you heard? is a series of short digital pieces for social media and messaging apps, developed from research with women living in Balsall Heath, working in partnership with Moseley Road Baths. They feature Yasmin Jasmine responding to local women’s concerns about different issues relating to Covid-19 and vaccines.

What’s the truth? What have you heard? is a series of short digital pieces for social media and messaging apps, developed from research with women living in Balsall Heath, working in partnership with Moseley Road Baths. They feature Yasmin Jasmine responding to local women’s concerns about different issues relating to Covid-19 and vaccines.

These films were developed from research working with older women who attend the baths weekly Chat & Splash session for women for whom English is a second language. The research sessions were fun, friendly and informal conversations with swimmers and other local people in May 2021.  Each short piece explores a different area of concern regarding public heath guidance relating to COVID-19. They were developed following social distancing guidelines, by Janice Connolly working with freelance writer Rupinder Kaur and community filmmaker Rachel Gillies.

Yasmin Jasmine was created in response to women saying they would like to hear stuff from a woman like them who they felt  had her feet on the ground and listened with her ears Yasmin is played by Rupinder Kaur.

What’s the truthWhat have you heard? debunks myths and explore new ways of community messaging around public health and wellbeing, by using the language and lives of ordinary people. For more information visit: www.birmingham.gov.uk/coronavirus.

You can also get up to date information direct to your phone or inbox by signing up to be a Covid-19 Community Champion. www.birmingham.gov.uk/COVID-19_Community_Champions.

Opportunity for Visual Contemporary Artists to support British Art Show 9 learning programme

Arts Connect are looking for visual contemporary artists who can work in collaboration with educators from early years up to KS3 to create and deliver engaging visual contemporary art workshops designed around the themes and artwork in British Art Show 9.

Arts Connect are looking for visual contemporary artists who can work in collaboration with educators from early years up to KS3 to create and deliver engaging visual contemporary art workshops designed around the themes and artwork in British Art Show 9.

The commission includes working with educators to plan practical workshops and delivering 3 half-day in school/setting sessions.

Find out more and access the full brief here: https://www.artsconnect.co.uk/commission-british-art-show-9-visual-contemporary-art-workshops/

Come along to our online information session on Thursday 5th August, book on here: https://bit.ly/3qioHtk

For more about British Art Show 9 visit the website: https://britishartshow9.co.uk/

Open Call – Birmingham Weekender 2021

Submissions are now being invited from Birmingham and West Midlands associated performers and artists. Festival producers want to programme a range of work that reflects and appeals to the cultural diversity and communities of the city and wider region.

Birmingham Weekender is back!  This year’s free biennial event, produced by Birmingham Hippodrome Festivals and funded by Bullring & Grand Central, Birmingham City Council and Arts Council England, will take place within the iconic labyrinth that makes up Bullring & Grand Central, kick-starting a month of major festivals and the cultural reawakening of the city. 

During the August Bank Holiday weekend, the footprint of Bullring & Grand Central will play host to a range of unexpected ‘pop-up’ and roaming performances, interactive experiences, art installations, film, exhibitions, workshops, and talks, occupying both traditional and unusual indoor and outdoor spaces. 

This major event for the city will bring together residents and visitors to experience Bullring & Grand Central in a unique and unforgettable way. 

Submissions are now being invited from Birmingham and West Midlands associated performers and artists. Festival producers want to programme a range of work that reflects and appeals to the cultural diversity and communities of the city and wider region. This may be an existing piece of work, adapted work or new work that was ready to be premiered just before the pandemic. All work must be COVID compliant. 

Types of work that will be considered:

●    Roaming
●    Visual Arts installations 
●    Street Performance / Circus 
●    Comedy 
●    Puppetry 
●    Dance 
●    Live Music 
●    DJs 
●    Spoken Word
●    Storytelling 

Commissions from £1000 to £7,500 are being offered – deadline for applications 2nd July. For full details please visit the Birmingham Hippodrome website.

Gallery 37, 2021 Artists Residency Programme

Punch Records have officially launched their Gallery 37, 2021 Artists Residency Programme!

Punch Records have officially launched their Gallery 37, 2021 Artists Residency Programme!

Applications are now open for Birmingham’s flagship creative development programme which returns this August for a two-week intensive artist development experience. Up to 100 young creatives (16-25) will be given the opportunity to develop skills and make art across 9 creative camps with nationally recognised specialist mentors.

Our FREE programme invests in the city’s next generation of artists, and offers young creatives an opportunity to boost their career in the creative industries; and boasts an alumni of over 200 artists.

This year’s 9 Creative Camps are:

Music Production | Photography | Vocal Performance | Lyric Writing | Dance | Film | Visual Arts | Digital Arts *New* | Theatre Performance *New*

…With artists & tutors to be announced over the coming weeks on our social media.

The Gallery37 Residency will take place from Monday 23rd August to Friday 3rd September at Aston University Student Union & Centrala. FREE Travel will be available! Lunch will be provided too!

Participants must be available for the entire 2 week programme.

Applications close on Sunday 11th July 2021.

Open Studios – one month to sign up

There is now one month left to sign for this year’s event…

There is now one month left to sign for this year’s event. So far there are 40 artists that have fully completed their application, and another 12-15 that just need to finalise a couple of details to complete. I am confident on the final number being at least 50, which isn’t bad with so much caution in the air this year.

The community spaces are pretty much all accounted for now, so if you need one please contact me as soon as you can. There may still be 1 or 2 more community spaces that could potentially join, but they are being very slow at confirming, so they are not a guarantee at this late stage.

We do ask that if you need a space, and you have not already requested one, your priority should now be to ask a friend/family member to help you exhibit from their space within the catchment area. Or perhaps you know a cafe owner for example that could help you out. 

If you have any questions, please do ask me as soon as possible.

Best wishes

Owen – studios@artsbrum.com

Half Term Activities at The Gap Arts

A week of creative activities and workshops for young people and families, all taking place at The GAP every week day between 2.30 until 4.30.

A week of creative activities and workshops for young people and families, all taking place at The GAP every week day between 2.30 until 4.30.

For full event descriptions please follow the Eventbrite link below which is also where you can book your space!

Book your place via Eventbrite

Programme:

Monday 31st May: Celebrating Sunflowers – A family workshop making, drawing, collaging and planting all things sunflower – a symbol of strength and happiness.

Tuesday 1st June: Me, Here, Now – A creative and reflective selfie workshop using photography, collage and drawing.

Wednesday 2nd June: Banking With Who? – Learn how you can make a change with this ethical banking workshop led by Students Organising For Sustainability.

Thursday 3rd June: Spice Lab -A tasty and fragrant creative worksop for families. Blind taste herbs and spices, make flavour profiles and create your own blends.

Friday 4th June: Community Group Open Day: We’re making friendly, safe and free space available for pre-booked grassroots groups to hold self-led activities. See the space and chat to us to see if it suits your needs.

Location: The GAP, 498 Moseley Road, Balsall Heath, B12 9AH

Contact: The GAP / arron@thegapartsproject.co.uk / 07761307675

Join The GAP’s Volunteer Team!

Become a part of our friendly volunteer team working together to support our mission of engaging young people and the local community through creative and cultural action!

Become a part of our friendly volunteer team working together to support our mission of engaging young people and the local community through creative and cultural action!

The running of our venue and its important day-to-day operations is reliant upon a small team of committed volunteers. We’re now looking to expand the team as we re-open our space to the world once again and welcome back our community. We want people who share our vision, have initiative and ideas to share, and who want to get involved in a longer-term journey with us. In the spirit of mutual exchange, we’ll work together to design a range of volunteer benefits in return for your time, energy and commitment, which will include opportunities to get involved in a whole host of other ways.

We’ve outlined below the details of the current roles and how your involvement would support our vision.

To express your interest, fill in your details on our Volunteer Form by the 28th April. Link to form – https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1xot3p0Uy6EZKvQgImJMicennt1x-iuVCgmgB_nY45r8/viewform?edit_requested=true

We’ll then invite you to come along to an informal group session at The GAP where you can meet the team, see the space, share the vision and find out more details!

COMMUNITY HOSTS

This role is all about making sure our venue is welcoming, accessible and engaging for all our community.

You’ll be the first person our visitors come into contact with, making people feel comfortable, ensuring they’re informed about our work and what’s going on, and encouraging different types of engagement and participation. Responsibilities will include (but are not limited to) welcoming and chatting with visitors, engaging them in the exhibitions, answering enquiries, signposting to our upcoming events or projects, collecting feedback, addressing accessibility needs, taking donations, signing people up to our mailing list, etc.

We want individuals who love to connect with and care about people of all ages and backgrounds, are confident and friendly, great communicators, have an understanding of accessibility needs, with a genuine enthusiasm for our work and a desire to get others involved. Ideally you’ll live in or around Balsall Heath.

CAFE CREW

By assisting us with the smooth running of our community cafe, you’ll be helping us to raise the vital funds needed to sustain our work.

Our cafe is a really important way of introducing audiences into our creative and cultural work, whilst also acting as a cosy hub for conversation and community exchange. As well as serving delicious food and drinks, our Café Crew play a very important role in creating a welcoming environment and ensuring our customers have positive experiences that make them want to come back. Responsibilities include greeting and seating, waiting on tables, serving drinks and snacks, and keeping things clean and tidy.

We want individuals who enjoy and are confident in customer service, who can commit to following COVID-secure hygiene procedures, and who are friendly and hospitable towards all different types of people. Ideally you’ll live in or around Balsall Heath.

Birmingham Open Studios

Birmingham Open Studios returns this September, bigger than ever before, and now covering even more of the city.

Birmingham Open Studios returns this September, bigger than ever before, and now covering even more of the city.

Dozens of artists and creators exhibiting from their own homes and studios on the weekends of 18/19th and 25/26th September. Artists who cannot exhibit from their own homes can buddy-up or use a community space. The event is run like an art trail, and is free to visit and family friendly. The public can pick up printed guide books with maps from across the city, or follow the interactive map and guide on our website www.birminghamopenstudios.com

The event allows artists of all calibre to display and sell as much work as they like, all commission free! The interactive element between the artists and art lovers brings a personal element, and promotes community spirit. The event welcomes experienced and brand new artists of all calibres and styles. However, all art must be tangible and non-performance. 

Artists can exhibit between one, or all 4 days of the event. The event runs 11am-5pm each day. The membership fee is £42 for the event regardless of how many days they participate.

If you wish to know more, please visit our website and read our About Us and FAQ sections, and sign up online. The deadline for submissions is July 15th

Any questions, please use the contact us form online

Artist Slots & Open Slots, Theatre Mix @ Home

Theatre Mix @ Home is a live-streamed performance night for West Midlands artists – scripted, devised, music, spoken word, cabaret and more. We’re open minded! We have Artist Slots and Open Slots available for our next event.

Theatre Mix @ Home is a live-streamed performance night for West Midlands artists – scripted, devised, music, spoken word, cabaret and more. We’re open minded! We have Artist Slots and Open Slots available for our next event.

Where? Your place
When? Thursday 15th April 2021 (evening)

More information and how to apply can be found here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Mzx2PhiNdjbnSzaYJwxoqrsTxS2j9IvoWFaSIUCTiLs/edit?usp=sharing

Open Slots:
Breaking down barriers for artists to try out new work and have performance opportunities.
First come, first served for each art form
Up to 5 minutes
Drink provided

Submission form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSerp07wBjSN3zLGVJojlJBV_M6ADN5y0J8h9FX2rLmNXdrXNQ/viewform
Deadline: 5pm on Thursday 8th April (may close sooner if all slots are filled before this date). We will respond as and when each submission comes in.

Artist Slots:
For more developed work.
Programmed by organisers Holly and Lisa
15-20 minutes
Fee: £100 for a solo act, £200 for a duo
Duos can be in a bubble, or we can facilitate two performers remotely on the screen

Application form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfsUPxiYogo9n_Zb3KucK8EHbUGEgdGaeY7_DgP1ooXWmErEQ/viewform
Deadline: 5pm on Thursday 1st April. We will respond by 12pm on Monday 5th April.

Although this event is taking place online, we are committed to platforming local artists and, as such, are looking specifically for artists based in the West Midlands.

If you have further questions, would like help applying or want the submission form in another format, please email theatremixbirmingham@gmail.com

Note: You will need a stable internet connection and a device to record from (smartphone, laptop etc).
GUSH Theatre welcome applications from everyone regardless of age, sex, gender identity, ethnicity, socio-economic background, sexual orientation, religion or disability. We are particularly interested in working with people who consider themselves to be from backgrounds that are currently underrepresented in the arts sector.
Supported by Arts Council England, The Society for Theatre Research & The GAP Arts Project.