Children and Young People – Art Works Hall Green

Get to Springfield this half-term for family fun

Children can take part in free creative activities at the Springfield Centre, Sparkhill this half-term.

Get down there to make, play and be inspired at the Creative Families Festival. There will be artists, performances and workshops for you and your children aged between 0 and 11-years to explore your creativity and enjoy together.

The fun will be happening on Tuesday 31 October and Wednesday 1 November, 10am-3pm at The Springfield Centre, Springfield Road, Moseley, Birmingham, B13 9NY.

Get your FREE TICKET from reception. Call them on 0121 777 2722 or email info@springfieldproject.org.uk with any questions

Missing a swim? Missing books? Come to the Exchange in Balsall Heath

What: The Exchange Festival – a free two-day event for everyone who loves Balsall Heath

When: Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 November

Where: Moseley Community Hub, Schools of Art, Balsall Heath

Why: Because Balsall Heath Library is closed and won’t re-open until 2025. This will give you the opportunity to reimagine the Library, connect, and actively participate in making sure the Library is the place you want it to be.

Yes, but what will I actually be doing??? Comedy, family activities, watch films, take part in Sufi poetry discussions, make felt bookmarks, learn about Urdu typography and much, much more. See the Exchange Festival programme.

Exchange Festival is part of the Diving In project, made possible through the National Lottery Heritage Fund. This project has given Moseley Road Baths the creative space to explore how both the Balsall Heath Library and Moseley Road Baths can continue to serve the needs of local people.

Blossom picnic in the park

We’re teaming up with Kinmos, The National Trust and our wider Local Arts Forum family as ‘Number 11 Arts’ to host a picnic in Kings Heath Park this April.

We’re teaming up with Kinmos, The National Trust and our wider Local Arts Forum family as ‘Number 11 Arts’ to host a picnic in Kings Heath Park this April.

Pack a picnic and join us for drumming, crafting, facepainting and family fun. We’re crossing everything that the blossom will be out and the sun will be shining! Look out for the gazebo!

Saturday 15th April
11:00am-1:00pm
Kings Heath Park

Our Social Fabric drop-in workshops

Help to create a large-scale, fabric installation in the Gala Pool at Moseley Road Baths.

Join us for weaving, crochet and embroidery. Family fun with no experience necessary!

Daily Thread, The Old Print Works (Front Entrance, 1st Floor)

Saturday 9th July and Saturday 13th August

12:30pm – 3:30pm

Part of Balsall Heath Second Saturday. Supported by Birmingham City Council’s ‘Celebrating Communities’ fund as part of Birmingham 2022.

www.artworkshallgreen.co.uk/our-social-fabric

hello@artworkshallgreen.co.uk

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

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.

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

The GAP Basement Theatre Ensemble

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/

Balsall Heath Second Saturday

Join us this February 12th 2022 for another packed programme of events to celebrate creativity in Balsall Heath.

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

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.

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.

Book here via Eventbrite

Balsall Heath Second Saturday – December 11th

The Cultural Activity Zone brings you Second Saturdays in Balsall Heath, Birmingham.

This monthly mini festival brings together families and residents to share and experience food, heritage, sport, arts, artisan products and literature. Bringing community organisations and businesses together for a regularly recurring event is a deliberate move to put our often-overlooked neighbourhood on the map, celebrate the diversity found here and promoting community cohesion.

View December’s Full listings and bookings

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 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

Balsall Heath Second Saturday – 13th November

Balsall Heath Second Saturday is a monthly mini festival for families and residents to share and experience food, heritage, sport, arts, artisan products and literature.

Bringing community organisations and businesses together for a regularly recurring event is a deliberate move to put our often-overlooked neighbourhood on the map, celebrate the diversity found here and promoting community cohesion.

The full listings for Saturday’s event are now up on the website and include badge making, board games, weaving workshops, pottery, a community meal, exhibitions and live music.

https://www.secondsaturday.org.uk/

Pumpkin Days in November at Pacha House, Friends Institute

Pumpkin Day, to learn about this amazing family of vegetables and their beneficial nourishing properties. (Friendlier Alternative to Halloween!).

When? Saturday 30th October, Also on the 6th, 13th, 20th of November. 12pm start, Stalls at 3pm and candle lights at 6pm.

Venue: The Friends’ Institute, 220 Moseley Road, B12 0DG

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pachahouseatfriendsinstitute/

Banner Making for families at Moseley Road Baths

Join the People’s Heritage Co-operative this Half Term to find out more about the history of our rights and representation and make your own banner.

During October Half Term, families are invited to Moseley Road Baths to a free drop-in workshop to make a banner to go alongside banners created by community participants as part of the Represent exhibition. Taking inspiration from stories of how people have historically made change in their communities, in our city and further afield, this is a chance to get creative and make your voice heard.

Whatever the issue closest to your heart – social justice, our environment, education, healthcare, inequality, animal welfare, safer streets – come and follow in the footsteps of Brummies of the past and express your ideas for the world to see!

Date and time: Monday 25th and Tuesday 26th October, 2pm-5pm

Venue: Gala Pool, Moseley Road Baths, Moseley Road, Balsall Heath B12 9BX

Booking: None needed, turn up on the day and staff will direct you to the Gala Pool

Contact: rachel@peoplesheritagecoop.uk

*_{Women from Saheli Hub raise their banners as part of Represent’s community heritage project}*

We hope that this project sparks conversations and ideas about political organisation and representation a century ago and in the present day. Share your thoughts with us on Social Media by using the hashtag #RepresentBrum.

Represent is a project by the People’s Heritage Co-operative, funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, examining these questions through archival research, co-learning and creative responses with community participants from Saheli Hub and the Monday morning coffee group at Edgbaston Community Centre. It is supported by The Active Wellbeing Society and the Library of Birmingham’s Archives and Collections service.

Please note that the Gala Pool is accessed by steps leading into the pool, therefore we regret that it is not fully accessible for people with limited mobility. In terms of Covid-19 safety, the Gala Pool is a spacious and well ventilated area. We strongly encourage visitors to make use of hand sanitiser provided and respect the space of others.

Balsall Heath Second Saturday – 9th October 2021 to 12th March 2022

Balsall Heath Second Saturday. A monthly festival celebrating community, arts, heritage, sports, and food in Balsall Heath.

A festival celebrating the rich community of Balsall Heath; praising its history, diversity and creativity each month and firmly putting us on the map as a destination for families to enjoy.

Over the next 6 months, Second Saturday aims to highlight the work of leading arts, heritage and community organisations based on Moseley Road who want to join together and promote their shared values of raising the profile of Balsall Heath.

We aim to bring people from different faith and ethnic backgrounds together and sing the praises of Balsall Heath, a deprived area of our city.

Kick starting on the 9^th October, our mini festival for families and residents who will expect to experience local food, heritage buildings, well-being, arts, and literature.

Firmly putting our often overlooked neighbourhood on the map, celebrate the diversity found here and promote community cohesion.

Each ‘Second Saturday’ takes place from 10am-10pm on the following dates:

9th Oct
13th Nov
11th Dec
8th Jan
12th Feb
12th Mar

The organisations involved and who will host Second Saturday’s program of events are:

The Darkroom
The Gap Arts
Moseley Community Hub
Moseley Road Baths
The Old Print Works
ORT Gallery

For more details contact: Sadim.garvey@moseleyroadbaths.org.uk

EXHIBITION – ‘Drawing Connections ~ Stories of Community Spirit in Balsall Heath’

Haseebah Ali that celebrate some of the social spaces and sites of community spirit that can be found in both the past and present of Balsall Heath.

This exhibition shares a series of illustrations by local young artist Haseebah Ali that celebrate some of the social spaces and sites of community spirit that can be found in both the past and present of Balsall Heath.

Commissioned by us at The GAP Arts Project, each of Haseebah’s illustrations responds to a specific story drawn from oral history interviews that we conducted with eight members of the Balsall Heath community throughout 2020, excerpts of which are displayed alongside the images.

Taking place within barbershops, convenience stores, youth centres, Carnival, garden centres and more, these illustrations and the stories contained within them highlight the community connections between people living in the area and how these threads are weaved across time and space.

We’re inviting all our visitors to respond to the exhibition by creating a postcard design that shares your own personal stories, memories and experiences of Balsall Heath’s social spaces and community spirit. Draw and write on one of the blank postcards provided, then add this to our collection by hanging it up in our cafe display area for others to view!

Free. All materials provided. Self-led activity. All ages welcome! Take part at any time during our opening hours.

Where: The GAP Arts Project, 498 Moseley Road, Balsall Heath, B12 9AH

When: 13th September – 16th October

Website: www.thegapartsproject.co.uk

Contact: ella@thegapartsproject.co.uk

Lok Virsa: Good Vibrations-Buttons, Beads and Birds

Sonia Sabri Company are running a workshop on Saturday 20th February at 3pm. Using the rich colours & shapes of birds & other animals depicted in Persian Folk art, we’ll be making our own bold, bright & sparkly craft!

Sonia Sabri Company are running a workshop on Saturday 20th February at 3pm. Using the rich colours & shapes of birds & other animals depicted in Persian Folk art, we’ll be making our own bold, bright & sparkly craft!

Using the rich colours and shapes of the birds and other animals depicted in Persian Folk art, we will making our own bold, bright and sparkly bird, and abstract shape hangings that we can display in our windows; hopefully bringing a bit of colour and sparkle into our homes.

Book via Eventbrite Here

Please have a look around your house, and gather any scraps of material (felt or cotton is best- but anything will do) wool, ribbon, string, beads, old bits of broken jewellery, sequins you can find. You can use old tea-towels, socks or anything that you know is no longer needed- the more colourful the better. If you have any old bangles or empty rolls of sellotape please hang onto them too- they will come in handy! You will also need a fork.

Workshop will be delivered on ZOOM Pro. All times are GMT.

Please could you ensure that you provide the correct email for us to contact you on to send the link to the workshop. You will receive an email from us at 5pm GMT the day before the workshop. If you do not receive an email in your inbox please check your junk and spam folders.

Any problems please email info@ssco.org.uk

Thank you.

Events may be subject to change.

We also have fantastic dance workshops for all ages on our Facebook page across the week so make sure you check the full festival schedule, join in and have fun!

YOU WILL NEED:

Scissors
Scraps of ribbon or string
Sewing thread
Needle
Old bangles or empty sellotape rolls
Beads (the bigger the holes the better)
Sequins or anything sparkly
You will also need a fork.

Commonwealth Co-design

The Gap Arts Project are working with 3 local arts organisations, Craftspace, Ort Gallery and Celebrating Sanctuary, to plan a large scale project in 2022 which will feed into the Birmingham’s Commonwealth Games cultural programme.

To to kick it off they will be conducting 2 online sessions where we want to hear from you things such as what common wealth means to you, and what you would want to see as part of an arts project that looks at the themes that common wealth brings up. They will take all that information and co-design a project that you want. It will be a great opportunity to have a real say in the activity that happens in your area!

Session dates and times:

Monday 25th January 2021, 5 – 6.30pm

Monday 8th February 2021, 5 – 6.30pm

A great opportunity to get involved in shaping a large scale future project in Balsall Heath!

Want to get involved, drop a line to arron@thegapartsproject.co.uk with your Name, Age, Post Code, and a short sentence of why you want to get involved!

Sound Tapestry Creative Workshop Series

The Gap Arts Project are inviting 12 – 18 year olds in Birmingham to join artist Meera Shakti Osborne and producer A.G. in a FREE creative workshop series exploring self-expression and healing through sound.

The Gap Arts Project are inviting 12 – 18 year olds in Birmingham to join artist Meera Shakti Osborne and producer A.G. in a FREE creative workshop series exploring self-expression and healing through sound.

Through 6 fortnightly online sessions, you will work with the artists and other young people you meet on the programme to create a Sound Tapestry. This Sound Tapestry will be a collaborative artwork made during the Zoom sessions through sound recordings based on our feelings. The work will be exhibited at The GAP later in 2021 as part of a touring exhibition.

Sound Tapestry is an opportunity to be part of a collaborative art making process, to learn about sound art, and to meet new people.

Who: 12 – 18 year olds living in Birmingham. We especially welcome young people from working class backgrounds and/or who are Black or a person of colour.

Where: Online via Zoom

Date: 13th January – 24th March 2021

When: Every other Wednesday

Time: 5 – 6.30pm

Interested?
Drop an email to ella@thegapartsproject.co.uk with your Name, Age, and Postcode
Spaces are limited so get in touch soon to reserve your spot!

Funded by Arts Council England Project Grants.