September/October Newsletter

Welcome to our second edition of the CCS Spotlight On e-news. This month’s Spotlight On theme is Schools.

The e-news will be sent out every other month and will include information on: jobs, exhibition opportunities, performances, training, support and conferences, Spotlight On theme, CCS updates, funding, useful websites and events listings.
CCS (Culture Consortium Shropshire) is a Cultural Education Partnership, supported by Arts Connect (the Arts Council England funded Bridge organisation for the West Midlands).

It’s a network of organisations, from; arts, culture and heritage organisations, festivals, education sector, music service and music hub; libraries; museums; local authority and other relevant organisations. The organisations all work with children and young people aged 0-25 in Shropshire.

Through the consortium, organisations are working together collectively to improve the cultural offer for children and young people in the county and to ensure there are more opportunities for children and young people to access high quality arts and culture.

The development of this e-newsletter is part of CCS’s aims to strengthen Shropshire’s cultural infrastructure, so we are better able to support and deliver a diverse range of high-quality activities for our children and young people.

In this newsletter...

CCS (Culture Consortium Shropshire)

Spotlight on Schools

Jobs/Exhibitions/Performance Opportunities

Training/Support/Conferences

Funding

News and Case Studies

Useful Websites and Contacts

Useful Event Listing Websites

If you would like to profile your organisation, share a case study, images, project, job opportunity, funding etc. in one of the e-newsletters please email – meriel.lees@shropshire.gov.uk

The deadline for sending information for inclusion in the next e-news is:
FRIDAY 1ST NOVEMBER for the November/December newsletter.

The Spotlight On theme for November/December is Family Activities.

Unfortunately, we won’t be able to list every art and cultural event in here for children and young people, but please tag us in these events on facebook and we will share them.

This is our children and young peoples events page: https://www.facebook.com/Arts-and-Culture-Activities-for-Children-and-Young-People-in-Shropshire-306317196986821/.

At the end of the e-news there is also a list of event websites where you can promote activity.

Website – https://www.cultureconsortiumshropshire.com/
Facebook – Culture Consortium Shropshire page – aimed at CCS members.
https://www.facebook.com/cultureconsortiumshrops/

Arts and Culture Activities for Children and Young People in Shropshire – events listing for children and young people activities; aimed at children and young people and their families.
https://www.facebook.com/Arts-and-Culture-Activities-for-Children-and-Young-People-in-Shropshire-306317196986821/

Twitter –
Culture Consortium Shropshire
@CultureShrop #spotlightshropscyp

CCS is delivering an ambitious and exciting strategic programme of activity for children and young people In Shropshire.

The programme includes projects, festivals and continuing professional development for the cultural and education sectors.

Please see below for more information on each strand of the programme and how to get involved.

Spotlight Shropshire Festival

There is a wealth of cultural activity for children and young people happening across the county, both within arts/cultural organisations and schools. CCS want to celebrate and profile this within the framework of a festival.

 Over 5 months in 2020, CCS will be bringing together activity, creating a What’s On Guide and producing marketing and publicity materials as part of Spotlight Shropshire. We will build on this activity to develop additional Spotlight Shropshire Festivals in future years, which will include opportunities for new commissions.

 Young people will be invited to actively engage in the programme as young reviewers, programmers, curators etc. Organisations will be asked to identify these opportunities.

A CCS Development Co-ordinator will be appointed to support this work – see brief in this e-news.

This approach will create momentum during 2019/20 and raise the profile of CCS, with children and young people, cultural organisations as well as funders like Arts Council and HLF.

Keep an eye out to find out how you can include your work within this festival.

Festival of Legends

Shropshire Music Education Hub (SMEH) are a member of the CCS (Culture Consortium Shropshire) management group. SMEH are working in partnership with CCS and other organisations to develop a sub-regional wide multi art form project – Shropshire Legends.

Seven large scale Arts / cultural performances will happen across Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin during 2020, leading to a finale event at the West Midlands Showground, Shrewsbury in July 2021.

An aim of the project is to reach as many children and young people and adults as possible and to particularly engage people who don’t usually have opportunities to access high quality arts. Through the performances and outreach activity, which will be happening in local communities on people’s doorsteps, thousands of people will have the opportunity to engage as either participants or audience members. 

The main theme of the project is the Shropshire Folk Legend Wild Edric. Wild Edric has been tasked with protecting Shropshire from his underground kingdom. The main areas that need protection are always linked to water (e.g. River Severn, Berth Pool, River Onny). Other legends will also be included in the programme.

Music will form the cornerstone of each event. Alongside music there will be a wider programme of other cultural activities such as dance, theatre, visual arts, spoken word, poetry, digital media. Members of CCS will be commissioned to deliver activity as part of the project – these programmes have been selected.

A bid to the Arts Council to support this work is being submitted in December 2019.

For more information on the project please contact Alison Stevens - Alison.Stevens860@shropshiremusicservice.org.uk

Impact Partnership

A three year county wide research and development programme. CCS have been successful in securing funding from the Arts Connect Partnership Investment Fund, which is fantastic news. The funding will support a strategic programme, that will enable children and young people (0-19) with SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) to take part in more and better-quality Arts and Cultural activities.

For more information please contact Hannah Prior from Ignition, who is leading the programme - hannah@i-gnition.co.uk

Commission for a Freelance Development Co-ordinator - £8,500

Application Closing Date: Tuesday 10th September 2019

CCS (Culture Consortium Shropshire), a Local Cultural Education Partnership (LCEP) are seeking an experienced freelance Co-ordinator/organisation (this is open to both individuals and organisations) to support CCS to develop and deliver its planned programme.

THE CCS DEVELOPMENT CO-ORDINATOR WILL: lead on the development and co-ordination of the ‘Spotlight Shropshire Festival 2020’, a 5-month festival (March to July 2020) celebrating Shropshire’s cultural offer for children and young people. There is a wealth of cultural activity for children and young people happening across the county, the co-ordinator will be responsible for pulling this activity together to be profiled under one banner, liaise with the cultural sector and schools to maximise opportunities and engagement, promote activity including working with a designer to produce a range of marketing and publicity materials; identify and follow up opportunities within the festival for children and young people to actively engage with the programme as young reviewers, promoters, technicians etc, produce a festival evaluation framework and reports.

The Co-ordinator will support the communications of CCS including leading on website and social media content. Support CCS future funding plans, including applying for and identifying suitable funding streams.

The Co-ordinator will lead on the coordination of CCS meetings (Management Group and Task and Finish Group meetings) and be the key point of contact for all members, in partnership with Shropshire Council Arts Development Officer.

The post holder will manage their own workload, priorities and be an excellent project manager. It is essential that they are ICT literate, have their own computer and are self-sufficient in office administration.

This role is subject to Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) check and two satisfactory references.

The Co-ordinator will be managed by Shropshire Council, Arts Development Officer and report to the CCS Management Group and Arts Connect LCEP Manager.

For a full copy of the brief, please email Alexa Pugh – alexa.pugh@shropshire.gov.uk

Creativity Lab - THURSDAY 19 SEPTEMBER

 An afternoon of CPD for primary school teachers to explore and develop their skills in using creativity throughout the STEM Curriculum.

An opportunity for organisations / individuals to talk to teachers, share information about their schools programme, showcase activities and upcoming events and give demonstrations.

Please see the Spotlight on Schools section for more details.

Cultural Education Partnerships’ Development Stalls

Arts Council England’s (ACE) Local Cultural Education Partnerships (LCEPs) are still struggling to get off the ground four years after being launched, according to new research commissioned by the funder.

The partnerships between arts organisations, educational institutions and local authorities were launched across England in 2015 as a key element of ACE’s ‘Cultural Education Challenge’. ACE intended the initiative to generate new ways of working “to make sure that all children and young people everywhere have access to great arts and culture”.

But a new report by BOP Consulting has found that only about a third of the partnerships think they are developed enough to be delivering on their goals.

The number of LCEPs has grown from around 60 in 2016 to about 100. Of these, 35% see themselves as “established and delivering” – similar to the level of 32% three years ago. Almost a quarter (22%) say they are “established but not delivering”, and 43% describe themselves as “emerging”.

The partnerships feel strongly that more funding is needed if they are to succeed – and they want ACE to consider providing this itself.

Based on feedback from LCEPs, the report also calls for a fundamental rethink of the existing approach to stop the initiative becoming bogged down in administrative inertia. “There is a need for something different from business as usual”, say the authors.

Read more here.

Each newsletter will have a 'Spotlight On' section, with a new theme for each edition. Spotlight On, provides an opportunity to profile organisations' work with children and young people, highlight projects, share successful and inspirational case studies and best practice etc.

This edition's theme is showcasing Schools. The theme for November/December is Family Activities.

Please send items to share to: meriel.lees@shropshire.gov.uk

Creative workshops run by the Hive

The Hive has developed some creative workshop opportunities to share with SEND schools and schools in rural locations in Shropshire, rates are negotiable to ensure accessibility:

Tech to Tune: in these 90 - 120 minute workshops, students will learn about how the world of technology interacts with music. We create our own sounds, design and build unique instruments and put them all together to create an entirely new musical experience! A combination of music, science and technology.

MYCMusic project with 16-30 year olds

Total Music School - an opportunity for young people to develop as musicians during the summer break.

[Feedback quote: "The students and staff loved it. The workshop was tailored to a very challenging group of young men. The workshop leaders took it in their stride, adapted and changed as needed. We have a number of the students ask when they are coming back and an increased interest in drumming lessons"]

Spoken word/slam poetry: in these 90 - 120 minute workshops, an award-winning performance poet conjures magic with words, supporting students to create their own unique compositions to rhythm and rhyme. A combination of music and English language. [Feedback quote: "The poet ensured the sessions were inclusive and pitched to the correct level. All learners have requested another session in the new academic term, continued to compose music and write lyrics/rhyme to accompany.I speak on behalf of the school when I say we would welcome The Hive back with open arms"]

Contact: Sal Hampson sal@hiveonline.org.uk

CCS Creativity Lab

 An afternoon of CPD for primary school teachers to explore and develop their skills in using creativity throughout the STEM Curriculum.

THURSDAY 19 SEP 2019, 1.30PM TO 4.30PM, Guildhall, Shrewsbury

At the event there will be a market place, with stalls of cultural and arts organisations. The market place will provide an opportunity for organisations / individuals to talk to teachers, share information about their schools programme, showcase activities and upcoming events and give demonstrations.

There are still a couple of spaces left for the market place so if you would like one of these free stalls please contact Alexa Pugh to register and for more information at alexa.pugh@shropshire.gov.uk.

Shropshire Music Trust - workshops in schools

A varied programme of high quality participatory musical performances in schools from the vibrant range of professional musicians contributing to or associated with our annual Shropshire Music Season from Oct-June, or tailor-made projects to support a particular need or project. Offers available from Sept each year.

Also tailor-made projects to support a particular requirement. Can be discussed at any time.

Some contribution to costs appreciated. 

Shrewsbury Bookfest Book Awards 2020

Shrewsbury Bookfest is delighted to announce the launch of the Shrewsbury Children’s Bookfest Book Awards 2020 - our very popular reading development projects: Big Book Award 2020 for Years 5 & 6 and the Picture Book Award 2020 for children in Years 1 and 2.

Both projects are designed to help and encourage all children to develop a love of reading and express their views about contemporary fiction - regardless of reading ability. The Book Award 2020 projects follow on the resounding support and enthusiasm shown by primary schools in Shropshire who have taken part in previous Shrewsbury Bookfest Book Awards since 2010.

Snapshot Glance of the Costs:

For one class of 30 pupils to be involved in every part of Big Book Award (Years 5-6) the costs will be:

One-off school registration fee: £150

£10 per pupil:                            £300

Total cost:                                £450

For this your pupils will have the opportunity to take part in a well-established and now nationally recognized reading development project, and will receive:

• Two tickets per class booked to the ‘Unlocking the Power of Stories’ conference on 20^th November 2019.
• 4 copies of each of the 6 shortlist titles for your class/school library.
• A full pack of classroom activities based on the shortlist books.
• An art competition with winning entries being exhibited at the Museum in Shrewsbury.
• A creative writing competition for all participating pupils.
• A platform for pupils’ to share their views about the books through the Bookfest website.
• Tickets to the Award Ceremony at Theatre Severn on 23^rd April 2020.    

Similarly, for one class of 30 to take part in Picture Book Award (Years 1-2) the costs will be:

One-off school registration fee: £150

£4 per pupil:                               £120

Total cost:                                 £270

For this you will receive:

• Two tickets per class booked to the ‘Unlocking the Power of Stories’ conference on 20^th November.
• A full pack of classroom activities based on the shortlist books.
• 4 copies of each of the 4 shortlist titles for your class/school library.
• An Art Competition for all participating pupils with one winning entry from every school.Book Award 2018 Film: Please take a look at this short, 3-minute video of the Book Award 2018 to get a clearer idea of the project from the perspective of teachers and their pupils: https://youtu.be/U3XfpQEuriw

Book awards

FEEDBACK FROM SCHOOLS who took part in BOOK AWARD 2018

“I think that Book Award is the best project we have ever taken part in. It has bridged a gap between reading and writing in so much that the children have made a connection with authors. For many children they moved beyond 'surface' reading, and reading because they have to, to reading because they want to. Nothing else has engaged an entire class in reading a set of books like this project has.” Greenacres Primary School

“It has a massive, positive impact on reading and writing in our school. It is the shared experience that brings the whole class together. Reluctant readers are inspired to read, and the choice of texts means there is always something that is suitable for the range of children in the class. As a teacher, I feel it helps me to keep up to date with current literature aimed at children. This is so valuable.” Castlefields Primary School, Bridgnorth

For more information on how your school can get involved, please email info@shrewsburybookfest.co.uk and take a look here - www.shrewsburybookfest.co.uk/book-awards-2020

Bookings will close on 11^th October 2019.

Shrewsbury Morris launch their Shrewsbury Giant Cobbler Processional Puppet

Sunday 29^th September sees the inaugural performance of the new Shrewsbury Giant Cobbler in The Square, Shrewsbury from 11.00am.

During the last two weeks of September Shrewsbury Morris, along with anyone else who would like to join us, will be working at Leighton Village Hall to design, build and dress the first ever Shrewsbury Giant Processional Puppet.

Come and join us for the building workshop, the first performance and the opportunity to have a go at Morris Dancing. Suitable for all ages and free to all thanks to funding from both Arts Council England and Shrewsbury Town Council.

For more details contact bev.langton@talk21.com

Courses and Workshops

Creative Writing Course - 14 weeks, commences Thursday 12th Sept 10-12.30 at Shrewsbury Quaker Meeting House on Corporation Lane, £145 for the term.  The course is run by the author of 'Fountain of Creativity: Ways to nourish your writing', Bethany Rivers.  It promises to inspire, encourage, and be constructive to any one with the desire to write.  Enquiries & bookings to: bethanyrivers77@hotmail.co.uk

Write Your Book - 7 week course starting Thursday 12th Sept, meets fortnightly, 7-9pm Pengwern Books, Fish Street, Shrewsbury.  £110 for the term.  Led by the author of 'Fountain of Creativity: Ways to nourish your writing', Bethany Rivers.  If you have a book waiting to blossom, this is the course for you.  How to get writing, stay writing and overcome obstacles and enjoy it!  Enquiries & bookings to: bethanyrivers77@hotmail.co.uk

Inspiration Days: using poems as a springboard for your own creativity, each day will explore a different theme.  These take place in a farmhouse near Wem, 10 - 4pm, £40 for the day.  All you need is pen, paper and packed lunch.  The dates are: Sat 28th Sept /Sun 27th Oct / Sat 16h Nov / Sat 7th Dec.  Please send any enquiries or bookings to bethanyrivers77@hotmail.co.uk

Live Literature in Pubs and Community Spaces across the UK

Calling Live Literature Performers: We want your show!

INN CROWD is a programme of high quality live literature performances touring to rural pubs across England from 2019 – 2022. It helps reinforce pubs as central to rural community life by bringing exceptional cultural experiences to new audiences.
The first Inn Crowd tours ran from November 2016 to July 2019, and involved 45 shows and 240 performances in 90 venues across the South and South East of England. INN CROWD is now a national project and we are looking for shows for our next round of touring.

INN CROWD is a collaboration between Applause Rural Touring, Creative Arts East, and National Centre for Writing, working with Pub is the Hub.

For more details about INN CROWD, visit www.inncrowd.org.uk

We are looking for two types of performances:

Reshape: shows, sets or performances that have been fully or partially developed and can be reshaped to suit the INN CROWD scheme with assistance from the INN CROWD consortium.

Co-Production: ideas for new shows, sets or performances that can be developed with time and assistance from the INN CROWD consortium.

Artists and companies can be based anywhere in the UK but must be available to tour in rural pubs across England on any of the following upcoming tours:
- February 2020 to July 2020
- August 2020 to January 2021

What INN CROWD offer:

• We act as producers to get your show booked in rural pubs and non-traditional community spaces.
• As rural touring specialists we are continuously developing new networks of performance spaces and working with voluntary promoters to pitch your shows to pubs. We manage the logistics of booking shows for you.
• We offer a fee of between £350 and £500 per performance. This fee includes all VAT, travel costs, equipment hire, accommodation and other expenses

As well as this INN CROWD offers the following development budgets:

• Reshape: up to £1,200 development budget + rehearsal space at National Centre for Writing in Norwich.
• Co-Production: up to £3,000 development budget + rehearsal space at National Centre for Writing in Norwich..

Artists or companies with Reshape or Co-Production applications should be free and expect to be invited to a sharing session on 10th October 2019 in London. Travel will be reimbursed for artists and companies selected to attend this session.

The deadline for applications is Monday 23rd September 2019.

Full details including how to apply can be found here:

INN CROWD Call Out 2019 ALL INFO.docx

A Cultural Strategy for Shropshire – Consultants Brief – £15,000 to £20,000

Interested applicants should note that there is an overall budget of £15,000 to £20,000 inclusive of all expenses, but exclusive of VAT.       

Shropshire Council, acting for the Cultural Strategy for Shropshire Working Group, is seeking to appoint a consultant to develop a new Cultural Strategy for Shropshire.

We are specifically seeking help with collating the existing evidence base, consultation with a broad range of stakeholders and development of a new draft strategy for public consultation.

We anticipate that the consultant’s support will be broken down in to three phases:

Phase 1:  Collation of existing evidence base, working with Shropshire Council’s Insights and Intelligence team

Phase 2: Consultation with a broad range of stakeholders, working with the Cultural Strategy Working Group

Phase 3: The creation of a draft strategy for public consultation

For further information please see attached document.

Shropshire Cultural Strategy Brief Aug 2019.docx

Commission for a Freelance Development Co-ordinator - £8,500

Application Closing Date: Tuesday 10th September 2019

CCS (Culture Consortium Shropshire), a Local Cultural Education Partnership (LCEP) are seeking an experienced freelance Co-ordinator/organisation (this is open to both individuals and organisations) to support CCS to develop and deliver its planned programme.

THE CCS DEVELOPMENT CO-ORDINATOR WILL: lead on the development and co-ordination of the ‘Spotlight Shropshire Festival 2020’, a 5-month festival (March to July 2020) celebrating Shropshire’s cultural offer for children and young people. There is a wealth of cultural activity for children and young people happening across the county, the co-ordinator will be responsible for pulling this activity together to be profiled under one banner, liaise with the cultural sector and schools to maximise opportunities and engagement, promote activity including working with a designer to produce a range of marketing and publicity materials; identify and follow up opportunities within the festival for children and young people to actively engage with the programme as young reviewers, promoters, technicians etc, produce a festival evaluation framework and reports.

The Co-ordinator will support the communications of CCS including leading on website and social media content. Support CCS future funding plans, including applying for and identifying suitable funding streams. The Co-ordinator will lead on the coordination of CCS meetings (Management Group and Task and Finish Group meetings) and be the key point of contact for all members, in partnership with Shropshire Council Arts Development Officer.

The post holder will manage their own workload, priorities and be an excellent project manager. It is essential that they are ICT literate, have their own computer and are self-sufficient in office administration.

This role is subject to Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) check and two satisfactory references.

The Co-ordinator will be managed by Shropshire Council, Arts Development Officer and report to the CCS Management Group and Arts Connect LCEP Manager.

For a full copy of the brief, please email Alexa Pugh – alexa.pugh@shropshire.gov.uk

Arts Fundraising & Philanthropy – Free eLearning Courses

Arts Fundraising & Philanthropy's free eLearning courses support you to develop new skills on the go. With short-courses in relevant and useful topics that can be accessed on any device at any time, fitting upskilling around your schedule has never been easier. Join a community of art and culture professionals sharing sector expertise in our dedicated online forums, and unlock your fundraising potential. Enrol now for two new short courses featuring expert contributors Michelle Wright (CEO of Cause4) and Paul Amadi (Chief Supporter Officer at British Red Cross): Effective Fundraising Strategies and Fundraising from Corporates – www.artsfundraising.org.uk/courses

STEAMhouse Workshop

STEAMhouse is offering a FREE two-day performance and technology workshop on 10th and 11th September. The workshop is designed for theatre-makers, artists, makers, technologists and games designers interested in fusing theatre and performance with collaborative gaming and new technologies.

University of Birmingham - Free Online Course

An online course designed to help teachers better understand young people’s uses of social media and how it influences their health and wellbeing is being launched at the University of Birmingham. Starting in September 2019, the free online course is sponsored by Google and delivered by lecturers in the University’s School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences. It is designed particularly for primary and secondary teachers, and those currently undergoing teacher training. The course offers valuable insights into the complex and dynamic ways in which young people navigate social media and the ways in which social media shapes learning, as well as health and wellbeing. Participants will be able to develop the skills they need to critically engage with social media in delivering education and supporting young people’s wellbeing.

Birmingham 2022 Culture Programme: Open Meeting                                                                                                                                                                                       Martin Green, Chief Creative Officer of Birmingham 2022 invites you to an open meeting of the arts and cultural community of Birmingham and the West Midlands, to hear more about the exciting plans for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. At this event, taking place at Birmingham Repertory Theatre on Monday 16th September, Martin will sharing the team's early thinking on all the creative elements of the games, giving timelines and milestones for the years ahead, including opportunities to get involved and most importantly hearing your input and answering your questions.  There will also be updates on other developments by the City, Region and Culture Central. The session is open to anyone (individual or organisation) from the arts and cultural community in Birmingham and the West Midlands. Find out more and register to attend>

 Birmingham City Council is holding an Arts & Health Commissioning Conference on 26th September. Find out more and register here. As part of the above arts and health event, there's an opportunity for arts organisations to have a market stall, to introduce your artform, approach and ready-to-go projects to health commissioners and social care colleagues as part of a speed dating and market place feature of the conference. For details please email Claire.Starmer@birmingham.gov.uk

The Understanding Audiences for the Contemporary Arts Launch takes place at the CBSO Centre on 9th October (5pm to 7pm). This was a nationwide study which started in Birmingham, and the findings are not only fascinating but should help shape practice when considering how to develop contemporary arts audiences in the future. Please RSVP to Elizabeth at sparc@sheffield.ac.uk

What does it mean to play a civic role? For some arts organisations, it is at the heart of their mission and practice; others think it is not relevant. The Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation is holding an event on 18th September in Birmingham, to share experiences, discuss, debate and imagine the significance of a civic role for arts organisations. 

Powerful Partnerships Resource Library for LCEPs – From A New Direction Welcome to the Powerful Partnerships Resource Library: a growing collection of case studies, tools and research to help you achieve powerful outcomes for young people through partnership working.https://www.anewdirection.org.uk/powerful-partnerships-resource-library Please find attached a very useful document with 13 ingredients that are needed for Powerful Partnerships.  

Backing Youth Ambition - New Support for the UK’s Young Entrepreneurs

Almost two thirds of young people have, or would consider, starting their own business but many say a lack of funding and experience is putting them off, according to research commissioned by The Prince’s Trust and Lloyds Development Capital (LDC). Following the publication of this research, the two organisations have come together to launch Backing Youth Ambition, an initiative designed to support youth enterprise across the UK.

The three-year programme aims to help over 1,200 young people explore and launch their own businesses through start-up grants and additional funding for The Prince’s Trust Enterprise Programme. LDC is also providing support through fundraising, volunteering and mentoring activity across its regional offices, employees and investee companies.

Young entrepreneurs from across the UK may be eligible for support through the programme.

Nick Stace, UK Chief Executive of the Prince’s Trust, said:
"Starting a business can transform a young person’s life and is a brilliant way for them to fulfil their potential and gain a greater stake in our society.
"Together with LDC, we will help to break down the barriers these young people are facing and give as many of them as possible the confidence and opportunity to become their own boss."

Martin Draper, CEO at LDC, said:
"Young entrepreneurs are essential to a thriving economy. What is clear, is there is no shortage of ambition amongst young people to be their own boss.
"We’re excited to join forces and support their mission, helping to back the ambition of young people and create a new generation of entrepreneurs."

Applications can be submitted at any time.

New Funding to Support School Improvement

Education Secretary Damian Hinds has announced funding of £17 million to help high-performing academy trusts to grow and support more schools across England.
Launching in September and providing funding until the end of the financial year, the Trust Capacity fund will build on the success of previous rounds of funding awarded to successful academy trusts to help tackle underperformance and improve schools. It will:
• Support strong academy trusts across the country to provide assistance to communities and schools are most in need of school improvement.
• Provide high-potential academy trusts, who have emerging capacity to improve other schools, with funding to meet challenges associated with taking on more schools in different contexts as they develop, deploy school improvement support quickly across a trust, and support collaboration between schools.
• Support smaller academy trusts that wish to merge into existing or new academy trusts, creating new clusters of schools.

Grants of between £20,000 to £310,000 will be available.

Recent figures show that there are 380,000 children now studying in good or outstanding sponsored academies that were previously underperforming council-run schools – and that 7 in 10 previously under-performing schools, have been rated good or outstanding by Ofsted since becoming an academy – compared to 1 in 10 under local authority control.

Education Secretary, Damian Hinds said:
“Academies are at the heart of our reforms to education and just last week new data revealed that the last year has seen 80,000 more children studying in good or outstanding sponsored academies that were previously run by local authorities which is why we must continue to give these charitable institutions the opportunity to turn around more schools.”

The Department for Education has also set out a package of bespoke support. A more intensive offer of leadership guidance, plus up to £16,000 in support, will be available to schools with two consecutive ‘requires improvement’ judgements from Ofsted, to help them improve in a sustainable way, forming part of an estimated £16.5million worth of support from the Government to around 2,400 schools nationwide. The Department will be contacting schools throughout the 2019/20 academic year to offer this support package.

The Trust Capacity fund will launch in September and close to applications in December 2019.

Varsity Pitch Competition Invites Second Batch of Young Entrepreneurs

The Varsity Pitch Competition rewards UK students and recent graduate entrepreneurs who have enterprising ideas that they wish to turn into viable businesses; enabling participants to showcase their unique, creative ideas to the wider community.

The business/idea must be the entrants’ own idea and/or an idea that they are free to disclose. Additionally, entrants must be able to own and run a business or social enterprise in the UK and be at least 16 years of age.

The award categories are as follows:

• TATA Disruptive Business - for businesses where the product or service is making improvements to the market in unexpected ways.
• TATA Social Impact - for businesses that are ethically conscious.
• Genuine Innovation - for those who can demonstrate unique ideas and ways of doing things.
• Creative & Design - for those who are involved in the creative industries.
• Digital and Technical - to support digital business ideas such as apps, hardware or online products.
• Ideas - for those with a brand new idea that has the potential to be the next "big thing".

Entrants must be either a current student at a UK university or college or an individual who has graduated after 2014.

Category semi-finals will take place later in the year, with businesses from each category being chosen to present a two minute pitch to a panel of mentors. The final will take place during Global Entrepreneurship Week in November and the winner will receive £15,000 for their start-up.

The next deadline for applications to be received is 27 September 2019.

Funding of up to £50k available for new artistic projects as part of Transforming Narratives

Transforming Narratives is a project to establish Birmingham as a global centre for contemporary arts from Pakistan and Bangladesh. The project brings together artists and cultural organisations from across artforms, who are located in Birmingham and cities in Pakistan and Bangladesh. 

Open Call Opportunities

There are three funding strands available:

• Exchanges: Supporting work that brokers new partnerships or develops existing ones through international residencies, exchanges and critical dialogue in Birmingham, Pakistan or Bangladesh. Funding of up to £3k available.
• Collaborative Projects: Supporting the showcasing of contemporary artistic work and building long-lasting cross-country relationships. Funding of up to £50k available.
• Reciprocal Showcasing: Supporting ambitious cross-country collaboration projects to develop new work and build on existing ideas. Funding of up to £20k available.

The closing date for applications is 31 October 2019.

Interested applicants can attend one of two briefing sessions:

• 25 September at Midlands Arts Centre 1.30pm
• 26 September at STEAMhouse lab, Digital Cities 5.30pm

Full details can be found at https://www.transformingnarratives.com/open_call_-_artistic_programme.aspx

To be kept informed about Transforming Narratives news and opportunities, please do sign up to our newsletter at www.transformingnarratives.com/contact.aspx

Arts Fundraising & Philanthropy one-day training – 20% Discount Available for LCEP Members

26 March 2020

Unlock your fundraising potential with Arts Fundraising & Philanthropy one-day training, supporting arts professionals at every stage in their career. From fundraising essentials to specialist skills and leadership strategy, each expert course empowers you to harness your talents and grow your network. Book your place here http://bit.ly/32SjFaD

LCEPs in the West Midlands are eligible for a 20% discount on the courses which are now on sale by using code: WMLCEP20

ArtSpace: A Creative Group for Young People

A creative group for young people at Raven Studios Shrewsbury. Seven fortnightly sessions for young people aged 12-19 involving art activities, projects and space to simply chat and connect. Led by Jancis Vaughan and Emily Wilkinson.

DATES:
14th September 1-4pm
28th September 1-4pm
12 October 1-4pm
26th October 1-4pm
9th November 1-4pm
23 November 1-4pm
7 December 1-4pm

Cost: £70 per term, follow the links below to book. No refunds are available for workshops at Raven Studios.
The studio is first floor and unfortunately we do not have a lift.

Summer with DASH Young Artists

DASH’s Young Artists have had a busy summer working in the studio at Participate Artspace in Shrewsbury.

Our group of 9 young people explored their artistic specialisms, which have been identified over the past year as part of the DASH ‘Free Medicine’ project.

Each young artist received mentoring in their area of creative practice. Specialisms such as drawing, print, sculpture, digital, textiles and embroidery have been explored and developed in the studio and the results of their studio time will soon be on display to the public - as their work will be exhibited at the Visual Arts Network in Shrewsbury throughout September.

DASH Young Artists collective, ‘Free Medicine’, at the Visual Art Network Street Gallery from Friday 6^th September until Saturday 28^th September.

The gallery is open from Monday – Saturday from 10am until 4.30pm. You can find the gallery at:

VAN Street Gallery

Middle Level

Darwin Shopping Centre

Shrewsbury

SY1 1PL

If you’d like to find out more or think you or someone you know might be interested in becoming part of DASH’s Young Artists Programming, please contact

Sarah: 07483 388065

Decline in creative A Levels accelerates

A decline in the number of UK students sitting A Levels in creative subjects is accelerating, an analysis of official data shows.

About 6500 fewer students sat the qualification in six creative subjects – Art and Design, Music, Design and Technology, Drama, Media, Film and Television Studies, and Performing and Expressive Arts – this year, representing a 6.5% decline since 2018. This is compared to a 4.3% decline in the same subjects between 2017 and 2018, and a 2% drop from 2016 to 2017.

Find out more here.

Shropshire Arts Award report

Please click here to access:

Shropshire Arts Award report 2018-19.docx

https://www.andylowe.co/ Andy Lowe – offers sound recording services and tuition in contemporary music production techniques.

http://www.artsaccess.org.uk/ Arts Access Association – artist and entertainment agency, also provides event and programme consultancy; runs several workshops and ' Roots to inspiration ', a youth and community programme.

https://www.artsalive.co.uk/ Arts Alive – dedicated to providing local people in rural areas with the opportunity to experience professional arts events in their local venue.

https://www.artsaward.org.uk/site/?id=64 Arts Award – supports young people who want to deepen their engagement with the arts, build creative and leadership skills and achieve a national qualification; available at five levels.

http://www.artsconnect.co.uk/ Arts Connect – development agency that works to improve the quality of the arts and cultural engagement of children and young people in the West Midlands.

https://www.artscouncil.org.uk/ Arts Council England – champion, develop and invest in artistic and cultural experiences that enrich people's lives through public money from the government and the National Lottery.

https://artsforhealth.mpft.nhs.uk/ Arts for Health, Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust – passionate about the importance of the arts in healthcare and the difference it can make to the experiences of service users and staff; often involved in new building or refurbishment projects.

https://www.myartshack.co.uk/ ArtShack – small rural venue based just outside of Shrewsbury that provides creative workshops.

http://creativeinspiration.org.uk/ Creative Inspiration Shropshire CIC – promotes individual and collective wellbeing and resilience through high quality participatory creative arts programmes.

http://www.cultureconsortiumshropshire.com Culture Consortium Shropshire - a Cultural Education Partnership, supported by Arts Connect 

http://www.dasharts.org/ DASH (Disability Arts Shropshire) – disability led visual arts organization; ‘Free Medicine’ is an arts programme specifically for disabled young people.

https://www.designsinmind.co.uk/ Designs in Mind – a working studio and shop designing and making commissioned artwork and products for retail.

http://emilywilkinson.net/ Emily Wilkinson – Shrewsbury-based interdisciplinary artist and poet working with collage, writing, paint, textiles, bookmaking, sound and sometimes film; also teaches yoga.

http://fairacrepress.co.uk/ Fair Acre Press – independent publishing house.

https://www.thefetch.co.uk/ The Fetch Theatre – touring theatre company producing a highly visual style of theatre incorporating puppetry and mask work.

http://www.fourandtwenty.org/ Four and Twenty Arts – a collective of artists, educators and theatre makers based in Wem.

https://www.hiveonline.org.uk/ The Hive – delivers social impact through arts and creative projects and activities, with a special focus on children & young people from disadvantaged backgrounds and other hard to reach groups.

http://i-gnition.herokuapp.com/ Ignition CIC – not for profit arts organisation working with professional artists to deliver participatory theatre projects for social change in schools and community settings.

https://www.ironbridge.org.uk/ The Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust – has a lifelong learning programme offering self-led visits with teacher resources alongside workshops and activities delivered by the learning team.

https://jeanatkin.com/ Jean Atkin – award-winning poet, children’s novelist and experienced educator; works regularly in schools, providing workshops, readings and discussions for all ages.

http://www.kinokulture.org.uk/ Kinokulture Cinema – independent community cinema in Oswestry.

http://www.louiseswanton.com/ Louise Swanton – contemporary textile artist, designer and teacher currently based in Mid Wales.

https://ludlowassemblyrooms.co.uk/ Ludlow Assembly Rooms – vibrant mixed arts and community centre with cinema, streams and live events.

https://www.ludlowfringe.co.uk/ Ludlow Fringe – annual inclusive, vibrant and diverse independent arts and culture festival.

https://www.meadowarts.org/ Meadow Arts – brings contemporary art projects to places where art is not usually shown; supports artists by commissioning new work and creating inspiring events and exhibitions, including workshops and individually tailored arts education projects.

https://www.mediaactive.org/ MediaActive Projects – local arts organisation, specialising in creative media and digital arts projects, media productions, film and visual arts programming, skills-based training and CPD.

https://moonstruckastronaut.com/ Moonstruck Astronaut Theatre – theatre company that stages plays for and with children and their communities.

https://www.mostlyflat.co.uk/ Mostly Flat – a letterpress printmaking studio run by Ludlow artist Dulcie Fulton.

https://thenaturebug.co.uk/ The Nature Bug – inspiring children to love nature through workshops to teach them about the often-overlooked animals and plants living on their own doorsteps.

https://www.nickfoggdirector.co.uk/ Nick Fogg – theatre director and freelance filmmaker.

http://www.octopusartsshropshire.co.uk/ Octopus Arts Shropshire – provides high quality arts services, workshops and projects for education, community and corporate establishments.

http://www.pentabus.co.uk/ Pentabus Theatre – develop and produce high quality new theatre about the contemporary rural world.

http://www.participateart.org/ Participate - over fifteen studio artists regularly working in the space, with visiting artists in the project spaces and a regular exhibition programme.

https://qube-oca.org.uk/ Qube – Oswestry based charity providing arts, wellbeing, and transport services for the community in North Shropshire and the border counties.

http://www.raylangton.com/ Ray Langton Music – specialists in the traditional Folk Arts, offer a range of workshops and talks for children, adults and families.

https://www.scrappies.org/ Scrappies – Shropshire Children's Scrapstore Recycling and Resource Centre, 'quirky' business supplying organisations with creative arts and educational resources.

https://www.shrewsburybookfest.co.uk/ Shrewsbury Bookfest – aims to bring the world of books alive for children and to inspire and enthuse them with a love of reading.

https://shrewsburycartoonfestival.wordpress.com/ Shrewsbury Cartoon Festival – annual event with top cartoonists who draw cartoons and caricatures for the public and lead workshops where you can have a go yourself.

https://www.shropshirearchives.org.uk/ Shropshire Archives – offers opportunities for students and young people to discover the unique collections.

https://www.shropshire.gov.uk/ Shropshire Council - Arts Service - provides leadership on arts development, project management and support across the county, with children and young people a priority.

https://www.shropshire.gov.uk/museums/education-and-outreach/ Shropshire Council – Museums Service – active learning workshops led by experienced museum educators.

https://sidance.live/ Shropshire Inclusive Dance – creates environments where people from all backgrounds and abilities can participate in the joy of dancing together; offers various workshops and opportunities.

http://www.shropshire.gov.uk/libraries Shropshire Libraries – 21 libraries and 3 mobiles across the county which act as important community hubs.

http://www.shropshiremusicservice.org.uk/ Shropshire Music Service – provides instrumental, vocal and curriculum support for schools.

http://www.shropshiremusictrust.co.uk/ Shropshire Music Trust – works with partners to offer outreach of a varied programme of high quality participatory musical performances in schools.

https://www.shropshireregimentalmuseum.co.uk/ Shropshire Regimental Museum – collections contain many artefacts, photos, documents and other items which relate to various elements of the school curriculum; also offer tailored visits and talks.

https://www.shroprock.co.uk/sum.html The Shropshire Ukulele Massive – an ongoing community project that aims to help children, the homeless, the aged, and other vulnerable people through opportunities to learn and play ukulele music in community venues such as arts centres and schools.

https://www.shropshirewildlifetrust.org.uk/ Shropshire Wildlife Trust – offers a range of sessions for primary school children at unique locations such as Darwin's Childhood Garden in Shrewsbury.

https://www.sya.org.uk/ Shropshire Youth Association – believes that “the right intervention turns around lives”; delivers personal, social and informal education using a youth work approach.

https://shropshireyouththeatre.co.uk/ Shropshire Youth Theatre – provides theatre activities for children and young people aged 5 to 25 years, specialising in classical drama.

http://www.sparctheatre.co.uk/ SpArc Theatre – arts and leisure centre in Bishops Castle offering a diverse programme of live theatre and music, international satellite screenings of theatre, ballet and opera; also films, community events, workshops and an art gallery.

https://www.telfordandwrekinmusic.co.uk/ Telford and Wrekin Music – individual or group instrumental and vocal lessons on a wide range of instruments in Telford and Wrekin schools.

https://www.visualartnetwork.org.uk/ Visual Art Network – based in Shrewsbury, raising the visual art profile in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin, linking artists, designers, makers, galleries and buyers.

http://www.wenlock-olympian-society.org.uk/live-arts-festival/ Wenlock Olympian Games Live Arts Festival – competitions in the performing arts, classes take place in Dance, Music and Speech & Drama (including creative writing) for children and young people aged 18 and under.

http://www.wemtownhall.co.uk/ Wem Town Hall – aims to facilitate social enterprise, community empowerment and community cohesion through an accessible, user-friendly and high quality venue and programme.

http://www.whackitsmackit.co.uk/ Whack It Smack It – make and play musical instruments from scrap.

https://www.wordshoppers.co.uk/ The Wordshoppers (Jean Atkin and Liz Hyder) – offer a range of interactive and fun workshops for all ages.

http://wyldwoods.co.uk/ Wyldwoods CIC – provides a calm and positive environment in which to try new skills and reflect on personal growth and development utilising both the outdoor and indoor environments.

Unfortunately, we won’t be able to list every art and cultural event in here for children and young people, but please tag us in these events: https://www.facebook.com/Arts-and-Culture-Activities-for-Children-and-Young-People-in-Shropshire-306317196986821/ and we will share them.

https://www.shropshiretourism.co.uk Shropshire Tourism

https://www.virtual-shropshire.co.uk Visitor information site with events listings – includes most events of interest to visitors – website operator adds events and organisers can submit their own – free of charge for listings

https://www.shropshirelive.co.uk news and features site with events section – you can submit an article. Events often featured free of charge.

https://www.loveshrewsbury.com news and features site with events section - you can submit an article. Events often featured free of charge.

https://www.31days.co.uk Shropshire arts & entertainments website and associated monthly leaflet. Options to advertise but listings are free. Organisers can submit their own.

https://www.thebestof.co.uk/local/shrewsbury/events - retail, business directory & promotional site with local events section. Option to advertise, listings are free. Organisers can submit their own.

https://www.shropshirestar.com/entertainment/

https://www.shropshire-events-guide.co.uk

https://www.ludlow.org.uk – Ludlow visitor and local information site with events section. Organisers can submit own events.

https://www.aboutbridgnorth.com – commercial site with events section for Bridgnorth.

https://www.oswestry-welshborders.org.uk - main destination website for Oswestry and area. Has events section. Managed by Virtual Shropshire for Oswestry Borderlands Tourism (Association).

https://www.thebestof.co.uk/local/oswestry/ - events and business website for Oswestry.

https://www.whitchurchshropshire.org – Whitchurch town information site with events listing

https://www.ellesmere.info - main information site for Ellesmere including events listings

https://www.visitsouthshropshire.co.uk - Visit Shropshire Hills

Magazines/Leaflets

https://www.strettonfocus.co.uk Church Stretton Focus

https://www.hypemagazine.co.uk/ The Hype Shrewsbury

https://www.loveshrewsbury.com/tags/severn-magazine Severn Magazine

https://thefamilygrapevine.co.uk/shrewsbury-telford/ Shrewsbury and Telford Family Grapevine

https://www.shropshiremagazine.com Shropshire Magazine

https://www.walesandborders.com/magazines/index.html Welsh Border Life

https://www.wstn.org.uk West Shropshire Talking Magazine

https://www.whatsonlive.co.uk/shropshire/ What’s On Shropshire

https://www.whatswhatmagazine.co.uk What’s What

https://www.yattaryattar.co.uk/ Yattar Yattar

https://www.31days.co.uk 31 Days

Websites Events / Activities / Jobs – Regional and National

https://www.artquest.org.uk/opportunities/

http://www.axisweb.org/about-opportunities

http://www.a-n.co.uk/jobs_and_opps Artist Newsletter

http://www.artsjobs.org.uk Arts Council Website

http://www.artsandmediajobs.com/uk Arts and Media Jobs

http://www.yourlocalguardian.co.uk/ Guardian Local

Please forward this e-newsletter to interested parties. Apologies for any cross posting. If you have been sent this e-news by a colleague and would like to sign up to become a member of CCS and receive the e-news direct please email alexa.pugh@shropshire.gov.uk

Please note: this information has been forwarded to you because we think it may be of interest. We make every effort to ensure that any information that is forwarded is appropriate, however CCS (Culture Consortium Shropshire) can accept no liability for any inaccuracies or omissions contained in this e-news. Forwarding the creative sector opportunities does not represent any endorsement of projects or initiatives by CCS and readers should take their own steps where necessary to check the reliability of any organisations or projects featured.

If you are interested in any of the opportunities or events we ask that you get in touch with the relevant named persons, using the contact details within the text.

Get in touch...

To find out more information about CCS, please contact:
Alexa Pugh, member of CCS and Arts Development Officer, Shropshire Council. email: alexa.pugh@shropshire.gov.uk and Tel: 01743 257734

Support...

CCS is supported by a range of Cultural Organisations.
The management group is made up of representatives from; Arts Connect, Shropshire Council, Ignition, MediaActive, Shropshire Music Service, Qube, Ellesmere College and the Hive.

Funded by...