News

Artist opportunity – paid role in Sparkbrook

Are you a community artist with availability in June and July?

As part of the Birmingham 2022 Festival for the Commonwealth Games, Art Works are very pleased to share that we have been successful in a public vote for both Balsall Heath West and Sparkbrook & Balsall Heath East ward ‘Celebrating Communities’ funding.  If you cast your vote for us then thank you!

We want to creatively explore the many and varied journeys that people have made to Balsall Heath and Sparkbrook from both near and far, celebrating the area as a place of refugee and a home to people from around the globe.

As part of developing these plans, we are on the lookout for community artists who can deliver participatory workshops with adults, and possibly some Key Stage 2 pupils, during June and July.  Any work produced will be exhibited to coincide with the Commonwealth Games. You may have noticed our previous callout for this project, but after a period of planning we we unable to appoint an artist and are putting this role out again.

We anticipate that we will be working with two Sparkbrook school parents’ groups and a third community organisation for workshops over six weeks in June and July. These will likely be a 1-2 hour morning workshop each week with each group. However, we are also exploring the option of a more intensive programme, delivered over a few days towards the end of term. We are open to working with an artist who can deliver workshops for all three groups, or three artists working with one group each.

Fee: £1,000 per group (6 sessions at £150 per session, plus £100 planning and liaison)

To apply: Send a CV plus a short paragraph, video or voicenote outlining your interest in the project and how you may approach the brief to hello@artworkshallgreen.co.uk by noon on Friday 27th May.

Darkroom Birmingham

Analogue photography facilities and project space. Since 2012 we’ve been running photography courses, offering use of darkroom facilities, putting on exhibitions and delivering projects.

Analogue photography facilities and project space. Since 2012 we’ve been running photography courses, offering use of darkroom facilities, putting on exhibitions and delivering projects.

Website: www.darkroombirmingham.co.uk

Twitter: @darkroombirming

Instagram: @darkroombirmingham

Facebook: @darkroommbirmingham

Address: The Old Print Works, 506-8 Moseley Road, Balsall Heath, B12 9AH

E-mail: info@darkroombirmingham.co.uk

Phone: 07779 159 217

Sonal’s Art

I am an artist, mainly working in acrylics, watercolor, oil paints, resin, alcohol ink.

I am an artist, mainly working in acrylics, watercolour, oil paints, resin, alcohol ink.

I take online kids art classes, half term painting workshops in Cartland Tea Room, Kings Heath and Creative Coffee Hub on Raddlebarn Road. I have participated in Birmingham Open Studios and various art fairs.

Contact: Sonal Gajbe

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

E-mail: sonaldewle@gmail.com

Phone: 07954 144 734

Textile Artist opportunity – paid role in Balsall Heath and Sparkbrook

Are you a community textile artist?

As part of the Birmingham 2022 Festival for the Commonwealth Games, Art Works are very pleased to share that we have been successful in a public vote for both Balsall Heath West and Sparkbrook & Balsall Heath East ward ‘Celebrating Communities’ funding.  If you cast your vote for us then thank you!

We want to creatively explore the many and varied journeys that people have made to Balsall Heath and Sparkbrook from both near and far, celebrating the area as a place of refugee and a home to people from around the globe.

As part of developing these plans, we are on the lookout for community textile artists who can deliver participatory workshops with adults, and possibly some Key Stage 2 pupils, during June and July.  We know that participants have some experience and/or interest in working with textiles, so we want to build on existing skills and support development of new skills.  Any work produced will be exhibited to coincide with the Commonwealth Games.

We anticipate that we will be working with three community groups for weekly workshops over six weeks in June and July.  We are open to working with an artist who can deliver workshops for all three groups, or three artists working with one group each.

Fee: £1,000 per group (6 sessions at £150 per session, plus £100 planning and liaison)

To apply: Send a CV plus a short paragraph, video or voicenote outlining your interest in the project and how you may approach the brief to hello@artworkshallgreen.co.uk by noon on Monday 16th May.

Art Works Gathering and AGM

Save the date!
Art Works Gathering and AGM
The Old Print Works, Friday 8th July, 12noon-3pm

Save the date!
Art Works Gathering and AGM
The Old Print Works, Friday 8th July, 12noon-3pm

This July we are bringing together creative folk for an afternoon of community and connection.  This is a space where artists, makers, community convenors and anyone interested in the power of participatory arts can come together to help build our creative community over a pot-luck lunch.  We’ll be asking:

How might we make our neighbourhoods viable places to make and create art?

How might we engage more people in community arts and making?

How might we ensure that local artists can pursue meaningful creative careers?

In the spirit of sharing generously, all attendees are invited to prepare a short (3-4 minute) presentation on their work so we can all get a flavour of what others in our area are up to.  More details on the format of the day, plus booking details, will follow soon.  In the meantime, do get in touch with ideas or questions.

Stage2 free drama workshops

Stage2 are proud to present two FREE Workshops at Brandwood Centre on the 9th April.

We have collaborated with Birmingham City Council on the Celebrating Communities Project, looking at our local identity and what community means to us. We have produced two commissioned pieces and are now offering totally free workshops to anyone aged 7-21, of any level of experience.

The workshops will consist of fun drama games and exercises that will allow you to get to know other young people, and explore the question ‘What does Community mean to me?’.

The workshops run from 1-3pm and 3.30-5.30pm: you can do just one or you could even do both of them if you like!

CLICK HERE TO BOOK

‘Hello Bird, Hello Fish!’ sharing event at The Springfield Project

Art Works commissioned B’Opera to co-create a new musical production with children under five and their families at The Springfield Project in Sparkhill. It was shared in a performance at The Springfield Project in February.

Art Works commissioned B’Opera to co-create a new musical production with children under five and their families at The Springfield Project in Sparkhill.

B’Opera have co-created a new musical production, ‘Hello Bird, Hello Fish!’ with and for children and their families who are users of The Springfield Project Children’s Centre, Mini Springers and Park Road nurseries. Funded through Birmingham City Council’s ‘Next Generation’ fund, the piece was devised through a programme of participatory sessions and was showcased at The Springfield Centre on 22nd February 2022. Families were invited to this special performance to see their ideas in development.

Read more about the whole project, including the process of co-creating the work with pre-school children and their adults and exploring big ideas with little people on our ‘Hello Bird, Hello Fish!’ project page.

Relaxed, interactive and inclusive

Everyone was greeted with free-flow sensory play opportunities with members of the B’Opera team to allow children and their adults time to explore the space, meet the performers and touch some of the props. This was crucial in creating a relaxed, interactive space where everyone was welcomed and made to feel comfortable.

High quality opera in Sparkhill

The playfulness continued as B’Opera began the performance, with some children moving, singing and dancing alongside the performers. The audience was treated to a combination of classical opera, new versions of classical nursery rhymes and a lullaby in Urdu. Characters wore colourful costumes that accentuated each animal’s movements – the gracefulness of fireflies, the elegance of fish or the swooping and swishing of the lost bird.

Space to reflect

The audience was invited to gather for food and reflection following the performance, through informal conversations or adding written comments to the ‘feedback fish’. Some spoke about their own experiences of feeling excluded, through racial or faith based discrimination. Others commented on their parents’ use of lullabies to soothe them as children.

Sarah Robbins, CEO of The Springfield Project, has written a piece (opens as a PDF in a separate window), outlining the value of this project for the community she serves in Sparkhill. Thanks are due to Sarah and all of the staff at The Springfield Project for embracing and facilitating the project throughout.

Where next?

This initial sharing of ‘Hello Bird, Hello Fish!’ is hopefully the first outing for the work – B’Opera hope to develop it further and tour the piece to other children’s centres and community venues. There are plans to include performances as part of this year’s Commonwealth Games Festival programme and The Springfield Project’s Creative Families Festival.

If you are interested in learning more about ‘Hello Bird, Hello Fish!’ or would like to host a performance, contact Zoë Challenor at zoe@bopera.co.uk.

All images © Rachel Gillies for Art Works

Birmingham Centre for Arts Therapies events – Spring 2022

BCAT have a range of events for people looking to develop and enhance their Arts and Health practice.

For more information on ‘Introduction to Arts in Health’, ‘Creative Relaxation Techniques for SEN’ or ‘Introduction to Dance Movement Psychotherapy’ at The Buddhist Centre in Moseley, contact Dawn Durrant on dawndurrant@bcat.info or visit www.bcat.info.

Connect and Create – Birmingham’s Arts and Health networking event #4

Join this networking event for those exploring arts and health activities in Birmingham.

Join this networking event for those exploring arts and health activities in Birmingham.

Who is it for?

Anyone working in the health and social care sector in Birmingham looking to enhance their knowledge of arts activities which deliver social care outcomes.

Anyone working in the arts sector in Birmingham looking to enhance their social prescribing knowledge, contacts and arts & health good practice.

Connect with: artists; activities; conversations; ideas; people; spaces; taster sessions; venue tours

Create new: contacts; skills; experiences; knowledge; networks; friendships; ideas; passions; partnerships

To book:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/228837909347

Further details to follow in 2022. For more information email: Artsandhealth@birmingham.gov.uk

Midlands Arts Centre

https://macbirmingham.co.uk/visit/getting-here

10-4 Friday 20th May 2022

MAC, Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham, B12 9QH

Balsall Heath Second Saturday – March events

Join community arts organisations in Balsall Heath on 12th March for another packed programme of events to celebrate creativity in Balsall Heath.

Join community arts organisations in Balsall Heath on 12th March for another packed programme of events to celebrate creativity in Balsall Heath.

The full programme is in the image, but please see the Second Saturday website for further details.

Keith Piper and Gary Stewart in Conversation

Keith Piper and Gary Stewart are alumni of the Moseley School of Art from 1972-79. An informal artist conversation about their experiences.

Saturday 19 February 2022, 4pm
Buy tickets here

Join Keith Piper and Gary Stewart for an informal conversation about their experiences of attending the Moseley School of Art and other shared experiences.

About the artists

Gary Stewart is an artist concerned with social and political issues, particularly with reference to history, identity and culture, working across sound, moving image and performance. Collective practice is key to his work using experimental media practices and technologies to explore the unique spaces emerging in public spaces, art galleries and museums formed by the shifting intersections and blurred boundaries between audiences, authorship and participation.

Currently Lecturer in Fine Art (Studio Practice) at Goldsmiths, University of London, he is a founder member of interdisciplinary artist, research and performance group Dubmorphology and Artist Associate at People’s Palace Projects based in the Drama Department of Queen Mary University of London working with activists and academics on projects that address a wide range of social justice and human rights issues.

Keith Piper is a Visual Artist and Associate Professor in Fine Art at Middlesex University London.

His creative practice exists in response to specific issues, historical relationships and geographical sites, and has exhibited nationally and internationally. Piper was a founder member of the Blk Art Group in the early 1980s and during this period he established a research-driven approach prioritising thematic exploration over an attachment to any particular media. His work over the past 40 years has ranged from painting, through photography and installation to a use of digital media, video and computer-based interactivity.

The GAP Basement Theatre Ensemble

Calling young theatre-makers in and around Balsall Heath!

Calling young theatre-makers in and around Balsall Heath!

Are you a performer, director, designer or theatre-maker aged 18-30? Do you live in Balsall Heath or surrounding areas? The GAP invites you to join The Basement Theatre Ensemble.

This small collective of local theatre-makers meet fortnightly to share skills, hone creative practice and make work.

When: Wednesday evenings from 9th March
Where: The GAP Arts Project

Interested? Email lisa@thegapartsproject.co.uk

[IMAGE DESCRIPTION]
The top half has text that reads: “Are you a performer, director, designer or theatre maker? Aged 18-30? Live in Balsall Heath or surrounding areas?

Join The GAP’s basement theatre ensemble. Starting Wednesday 9th March.”

At the bottom there is a photo of two young people filming a scene with another person sat on a bed. Under the photo, text reads: “hone creative practice // develop methodology // create work.”

https://www.thegapartsproject.co.uk/

Friction Arts ‘We Made Birmingham’ – An Opportunity for Young Community Journalists

Friction Arts is looking to support three aspiring young journalists to be part of an exciting community journalism project in Digbeth, capturing the voices of people telling us their We Made Birmingham stories, which will feature in digital displays across the city to celebrate the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

Friction Arts is looking to support three aspiring young journalists to be part of an exciting community journalism project in Digbeth, capturing the voices of people telling us their We Made Birmingham stories, which will feature in digital displays across the city to celebrate the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

We will support you to undertake a short five session course in community journalism training that will equip you to be part of our We Made Birmingham team – recording and sharing stories of heritage, community activism and migration from residents of the Digbeth area.


Pictures from Friction Arts 2021 How Were You? community interviews

Training

All training sessions will be held at:

BVSC Centre, 138 Digbeth, Birmingham, B5 6DR.

The first two sessions are on Tuesday 22nd and Wednesday 23rd February, and will run for three hours each, with the choice of a morning slot (10:00am – 1:00pm) or an afternoon slot (1:00pm – 4:00pm).

There will be three additional Saturday training sessions held before Easter. These five x three hour sessions will include:

  • theory behind conducting an excellent interview
  • pre-production processes
  • technical set up of the equipment,
  • camera techniques
  • a session led by a working journalist

The Project

During May and June, you will work at least three half days (times and days to be flexibly arranged) as part of a team of three community journalists and a professional caricaturist, using your training to capture the voices of people as they tell us their We Made Birmingham stories. These interviews will then be edited to become Augmented Reality connected to the twenty portraits as part of a touring exhibition to different sites during Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth.

Friction Arts and our commitment to you

Friction Arts is passionate about heritage, interviewing, oral histories and gathering awkward as well as historic stories. We have a long history, of over thirty years working creatively across Birmingham with experience in oral history (training, interviews, editing and distributing) across different digital formats including Augmented Reality, video, recordings, montage and animation.

Not only will we support you with training, travel and refreshment expenses, you will be part of a live community journalism project with Friction Arts, a well established community arts organisation, who will help you to evaluate the experience and then support you in potential opportunities for the future.

Please contact Marcus to find out more: Marcus@frictionarts.com / Tel: 07784302283

Closing date: Midday 21st February 2022

Mixed Heritage Women Sharing their Extraordinary Stories of Identity – Callout for interviewees

Friction Arts have launched a new project called ‘Stir’ and have put a callout for contributors to this new project that shares the joys and complexities of the identities of women of mixed heritage.

Friction Arts have launched a new project called ‘Stir’ and have put a callout for contributors to this new project that shares the joys and complexities of the identities of women of mixed heritage.

What is Stir?

Stir is a platform created by Friction Arts, for women of mixed heritage, to share the joys and complexities of their identities and the journeys that shaped them. As part of a wider community journalism project in Digbeth, Friction Arts is capturing the voices of people telling us their stories of heritage, community activism and migration, which will feature in Birmingham Public Library’s archive. Friction Arts will also be working in collaboration with an award winning female portrait artist to create a series of extraordinary Stir visual portraits reflecting these extraordinary women and their lives.

How will Stir work?

During March Lead Artist Sarah Kaur will lead a series of one to one interviews inviting Stir participants to share how they experience their multiple ethnicities, and how these experiences shaped their identities. These interviews will last around 1 hr and can take place in the home, or at our studio ‘The Edge’.

Stir participants will also be offered the opportunity to take part in a group Zoom meeting to share their ideas for the series of portraits that will accompany the stories – contributing thinking around themes, sets and costumes.

In early April, a small group of Stir participants will meet at our Studio at the Edge to have their portrait realised by an award winning female portrait artist, to create a series of extraordinary visual portraits sensitively reflecting the complexities of mixed heritage identity.

About Friction Arts

Friction Arts has a history of over thirty years working creatively across Birmingham with experience in oral history across different digital formats including Augmented Reality, video, recordings, montage and animation. We are passionate about heritage, interviewing, oral histories and gathering awkward as well as historic stories.

How to get involved in Stir

If you are a woman of mixed heritage with a story rooted in identity to share, we’d really love to hear from you. Please contact Sarah@FrictionArts.com by midday, 27th February 2022 to arrange an informal chat about getting involved with Stir.

‘My Doorstep, My Culture’ exhibition launched at Moseley Road Baths

‘My Doorstep, My Culture’ is an exciting programme of creative workshops across three community
organisations, led by local Artist ILdikó Nagy. It has culminated in a group exhibition, open until the end of March at Moseley Road Baths.

‘My Doorstep, My Culture’ is an exciting programme of creative workshops across three community organisations, led by local Artist ILdikó Nagy. It has culminated in a group exhibition, open until the end of March at Moseley Road Baths.

Participants from Amal Creative, Kinmos and Smart Women CIC co-designed a series of workshops based on which artforms they wanted to explore with multidisciplinary Visual Artist ILdikó Nagy. Participants were eager to express themselves creatively and committed to working collaboratively to create something reflecting their skills, talents and cultural heritage. From a henna decorated door lit by lanterns to handsculpted incense burners, a huge willow-woven heart to needlefelted Yemeni flags, each group has crafted objects to show others who they are and what matters to them.

You can find out more about the groups’ creative journeys over on the ‘My Doorstep, My Culture’ page of our website.

The exhibition was launched to an invited audience of participants, their families and friends on Saturday 22nd February in the glorious setting of Moseley Road Baths’ empty Gala Pool. Over 30 people attended the launch where groups viewed each others’ work for the first time and reflected on their achievements with food and drink.

My Doorstep, My Culture’ is in the Gala Pool until 31st March 2022.

Art Works will be continuing to explore ways to support these community artists in their creative journeys.

Loud Fish After School Music Club

Loud Fish is a free weekly music club for children aged 8 to 12 years old who sing or play any instrument to any ability.

Loud Fish is a free weekly music club for children aged 8 to 12 years old who sing or play any instrument to any ability.

Sessions will take place on Monday afternoons, 4:30pm – 5:15pm at Moseley Road Baths and will provide the fantastic opportunity to learn fun songs in a fun and welcoming environment.

Sessions will start on Monday 31st January and will run for 8 weeks
(missing Monday 21st February for Half Term).

YOUR LEADER, RODRIGO (ROD)

Rod is an Argentinian composer, songwriter, guitarist, and writer, based in Birmingham since 2018. As well as running our group the Moseley Rock Collective, (Rod) is an experienced teacher with 8 years of experience whilst holding a Degree in Musical Arts.

WHAT DOES YOUR CHILD NEED TO BRING?

If they play an instrument, they will need their instrument and amp (if using) and power will be available for those who need it. Singers just need to turn up with their best singing voice.

We encourage you to print your music at home to bring to each session, but we’ll sort this for you if you don’t have a printer at home.

Parents will be invited to sit and watch the session or become a volunteer support on a rota.

TO HELP US WITH COVID:

Even though coronavirus restrictions are being reduced, we still ask that,

  • Participants use hand sanitiser on entry to the Baths
  • Participants should wear a mask until they are standing in the Gala Pool ready for the session to start.
  • Keep some distance between yourself and others using the baths.
  • If you or your child are not feeling well, please do not attend.

Mental health support for the arts sector

Birmingham Centre for Arts Therapies are offering online training and supervision for arts professionals working in arts and health in Birmingham.

Birmingham Centre for Arts Therapies are offering online training and supervision for arts professionals working in arts and health in Birmingham.

These FREE sessions are aimed at supporting your own mental wellbeing whilst delivering activities in challenging circumstances.

For more information, there is a short video available on YouTube.

Further information can be found at http://www.bcat.info.

To book, please contact dawndurrant@bcat.info.

Women and Theatre – Taking Steps

It takes a village to raise a child…but how are they supported into adulthood and beyond?

Step into the world of care leavers with this entertaining, impactful and insightful drama which follows three Leaving Care Workers, and through their work, shares snapshots of the lives of the young people they support.

20 & 21 January 2022 

7.30pm (1.30pm matinee on 20th) 

BSL Interpreted Event: 20 January at 7.30pm

Tickets £10/8 

Available here: https://www.birminghamhippodrome.com/calendar/taking-steps/

It takes a village to raise a child…but how are they supported into adulthood and beyond?

Step into the world of care leavers with this entertaining, impactful and insightful drama which follows three Leaving Care Workers, and through their work, shares snapshots of the lives of the young people they support.

Developed from research and inspired by real conversations, the production is both funny and moving, featuring live performance and a dynamic soundscape of spoken word and original music.

Shining a light on the realities faced by young people, the piece will promote discussions around their support needs and the steps that we can take forward together.

As part of this professional theatre production there will be discussions co-facilitated by care experienced young people, identifying steps to bring about lasting systematic change.

TAKING STEPS has been developed as part of Women & Theatre’s Moving On project which began in autumn 2019; a 2-year collaboration with care leavers with different experiences and backgrounds, to produce new creative work which informs developments to services and supports children in care in preparing for leaving care. The project is funded by Esmee Fairbairn Foundation and delivered in partnership with Birmingham Children’s Trust, Birmingham City Council and Birmingham Hippodrome.

Covid Safety 

The safety of our staff, participants and audiences is our number one priority and we have designed Taking Steps to be covid secure. We are running the production at a reduced capacity to ensure that audiences are able to socially distance. Hand sanitiser will be provided and audiences members will be required to wear masks (unless exempt). We will also be following the Hippodrome Covid safety guidelines which requires all audiences 18+ to demonstrate their Covid-19 Status in order to watch a performance, you can find out more here:  https://www.birminghamhippodrome.com/plan-your-visit/covidsafety/

Job Opportunity – Arts Administrator

The Gap Arts are looking for an emerging/early career arts administrator to join our small creative team at a really important and exciting moment in The GAP’s journey.

Application Deadline – Monday 31st January, 5pm

The Gap Arts are looking for an emerging/early career arts administrator to join our small creative team at a really important and exciting moment in The GAP’s journey.

We need an ambitious, motivated and caring individual to support our core team of artists during this transformational moment. The appointed Arts Administrator will play a crucial role in the successful delivery of our cultural programmes by ensuring the smooth running of the organisation’s daily operations. As a new role, the successful candidate will take responsibility for designing and implementing new administrative systems, working closely with the core team to identify how best to support our activities. We are also offering a package of training to further the successful candidate’s development, which will be tailored to their specific interests and needs.

​This role has been created to the support the development of arts leaders who identify as being from an ethnic or cultural minority, as LGBTQI+ and/or disabled.

For full job description and how to apply, visit https://www.thegapartsproject.co.uk/artsadminjob