We hope to create a programme to develop artists in wellbeing, business and community skills during the spring and summer.
To date Art Works has been funded by the City Council. However, when councillors approved a Section 114 notice in September, we developed out plans to find ways of continuing our work without City Council support.
Earlier this year, we surveyed 57 creatives from many different backgrounds across South Birmingham. We discovered that 30 of you wanted help with basic business skills, 30 wanted to know how to work with community groups, 40 wanted help with marketing, 47 wanted to know how to apply for funding and 46 wanted to know how to be connected to the wider sector.
As a result we have devised a programme to meet this need and are pitching for Inclusive Communities funding to make it happen. If we aren’t successful with that particular bid, we have other ideas of where to go for support.
We have every reason to be hopeful that during 2024, the neighbourhoods of Balsall Heath, Moseley, Kings Heath, Sparkbrook, Springfield, Sparkhill and Hall Green will be abuzz with the chatter of creatives learning new skills and growing in community.