News

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

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: 17^th 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/

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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: 1^st 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/

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

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? 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 truth? What 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.

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 5^th August, book on here: https://bit.ly/3qioHtk

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

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.

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.

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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.

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

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

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.