March/April Newsletter

Welcome to the fifth edition of the CCS Spotlight On e-news. This month’s Spotlight On theme is Under 5's.

The e-news is sent out every other month and includes 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 Under 5's

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:
MONDAY 4TH MAY for the May/June newsletter.

The Spotlight On theme for May/June is 11+.

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.

CCS would like to maximise on the potential for sharing information about arts and cultural activities targeted at 0 – 25 year olds please use your social media profiles and tag CCS into relevant posts, this will help increase awareness and strengthen collaboration.

Please also add CCS as Co-hosts on your Facebook accounts, for all events aimed at children and young people.

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

Culture Consortium Shropshire Arts Café - date to be confirmed (will be sometime in March)

Pentabus Rural Theatre Company: working with young people developing writing and theatre making skills.

Pentabus Theatre Company will talk about their approach to Pentabus Young Writers and Pentabus Young Company, we will explore how to recruit and work with older young people and through practical exercises share ideas to enable young people to develop their writing skills and theatre practice.  There will be hands-on practical advice and workshops activity to help you take back skills to your own setting.

Pentabus Theatre’s Young Writers Group is open to anyone who has an interest in writing or theatre-making. There’s no need to have any writing experience to join, just a keen interest in storytelling and a need to talk about how we live. Participants learn about the basic rules of playwriting and creating work for the stage, tutored by professional playwrights, actors, directors and designers. The 9-month programme is FREE and ends with a professional production of each of the Young Writers’ short plays.

Pentabus Young Company is built on the understanding that great work can emerge from being part of a creative community, and this can be difficult to find in rural locations. Pentabus Young Company is designed to create that community with you and for young people. The year-round programme of workshops offers young people the opportunity to meet leading industry professionals, learn new skills and share experiences with other young emerging artists and creatives.

Venue: Pentabus, The Old School, Ludlow, SY8 2JU, parking is available.

Places are limited so please email Alexa Pugh to express interest. alexa.pugh@shropshire.gov.uk

IMPACT Partnership Investment

As part of its IMPACT partnership with Actio, CCS recently announced a three year programme for children and young people with SEND. The first two of its events, the Together Seminar 2020 and Development Session 1: Sensory Practice and Intensive Interaction, were recently held on 7th February and 23rd January.

Please see the CCS website for an overview of the events:
https://www.cultureconsortiumshropshire.com/impact-partnership.html

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 Under 5's. The theme for May/June is 11+.

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

The deadline for sending information for inclusion in the next e-news is:
MONDAY 4TH MAY for the May/June newsletter.

Buzzy Beats – a weekly music and movement workshop for under 5s and their parents/carers

Friday mornings during term time 10.30am – 11.30am at The Hive, 5 Belmont, Shrewsbury SY1 1TE

Using bodies, percussion instruments and voices we fill the morning with joyous sound and song! For babes in arms, crawlers, walkers under 5 and their parents/carers. Fun for little ones and grown-ups too!

Booking advised through www.hiveonline.org.uk/workshops

Parachutes – early years creative project providing a range of activities including pottery, music-making and storytelling for Under 5s and their parents/carers

Wednesday mornings during term time 10am – 11.30am in North Shrewsbury

These free creative sessions enable parents/carers and children to form joint experiences and memories whilst building relationships and developing children’s creativity, sensory and essential social skills as well as equipping parents with new creative skills which they can implement in their homes and during future group activities. In addition, paediatric first aid courses will be available to parents/carers during the project, which will run until autumn 2021. For information on how to get involved email: olivia@hiveonline.org.uk

Based on real life correspondences; storytelling and lipsync cabaret collide in this queer coming-of-age comedy about the complications of 21st-century communication. More information and tickets here: https://www.hiveonline.org.uk/events#1212

Moonbeams Easter Egg Social Meet:

Monday 23rd March 2020 (4.15-5.45pm) at Midlands Art Centre in Birmingham

A creative place and space for Educators, Childminders, artists, and arts, cultural and heritage organisations to meet, chat, exchange ideas and explore ideas surrounding early years arts and creative practice (sorry this event is for adults only).

Our theme is young children’s Communication and Language through arts and creativity:

• how young children listen and respond to the things that they see, hear and encounter
• how they pose and ask questions about the situations and things they experience;
• how children express narrate and explain their experiences with others
• how adults can stimulate, support, and scaffold through creativity

Come, contribute and become part of the Moonbeams creative community to create, exchange and shape creative ways of communicating and developing language with young children. 

Price: Free to attend and all participants receive a free Easter Egg!  Book your place to secure your free attendance and Easter Egg!

This is a great opportunity to think about your practice and talk and share informally with other people about developing communication and language with young children and babies.

Bring along an object, a photograph, a short film on your phone or simply a question that you think could be a conversational starter or object of imagination to get children and babies communicating. It could relate to specific festivals or cultural traditions, something abstract or curious, something unexpected or incredibly inviting. 

Together we can explore how your objects, images, films, and questions could shape creative encounters with young children and babies to develop listening, attentiveness, response, narration and expression in and through the arts. To book your free place/s please click and complete the Eventbrite link:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/moonbeams-easter-egg-social-meet-tickets-95561187083

Mini Mammoths at Shrewsbury Museum and Art Gallery - Friday 10th January - Friday 3rd April 2020

Mini Mammoths grows little minds and stimulate senses at our museum based parent and toddler group. Enjoy a weekly themed session in the museum followed by free play and a mini informtion session for parents/carers in the museum education room.

Session includes snacks for little ones and tea/coffee and biscuits for parents/carers. Created for PRE-SCHOOL children (1-5), Mini Mammoths is on from 10.00am 11.30am every Friday during term time. You are most welcome to bring babes in arms - no charge for under one's and accompanying adult. £4.50 per child.

Booking through ticket source at: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/whats-on/the-square/shrewsbury-museum-art-gallery/mini-mammoths/e-jmvzkr

SM'Art Minis at Shrewsbury Museum and Art Gallery - Monday 13th January 2020 - Monday 23rd March 2020

Creating inquisitive learners. Sensory, art-based play sessions inspired by the museum collection. Suitable for ages 6 months-4 years. £4.50 per child and includes tea/coffee for grown-up. Tickets are non-refundable.

Booking through ticket source at: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/whats-on/the-square/shrewsbury-museum/smart-minis/e-zgrqra

Mini Farmers at Acton Scott in the spring - dates TBC

Rhyme Time at Shropshire Libraries - see the council website for dates at different libraries.

https://www.shropshire.gov.uk/libraries/library-events/

Royal Academy of Arts – Young Artists’ Summer Show – Lots of information about the show can be found on our website, in summary:

• It is a free, open submission exhibition for young people aged 5-19 across the UK.
• There is an online and physical component to the exhibition – you can see last year’s online exhibition here.
• Submitted artworks will be judged by a panel of art experts including Royal Academicians, RA curators and RA Schools students, with prizes awarded within each key stage.
• To take part in the Young Artists’ Summer Show, a teacher must first register their school. Once a school is registered, artworks can be submitted online by students (over 13 years) or on their behalf by a teacher, their parent or guardian.

Key dates

Applications close on 24 April 2020

Judging takes place in May 2020

The online and onsite exhibitions open on 12 July 2020

Creative Festivals - May 2020

Please see the attached leaflet for more details on how to get involved.

Creative Festivals 2020.pdf

Kids in Museums – Takeover Day is when museums, galleries, historic homes, archives and heritage sites invite young people in to take over jobs normally done by adults. 2020 marks the 10th anniversary of Takeover Day. To celebrate, we’re inviting heritage venues to join our week-long Takeover Day Festival: Monday 16 – Sunday 22 November 2020

We are also holding our annual Digital Takeover Day on Friday 3 July 2020. For further information: https://kidsinmuseums.org.uk/what-we-do/takeover-day/

Arts Ambassador Schools’ Network Commission – £8,900

Deadline: 27 March 2020 (no later than 12.00 noon)

CALL FOR ARTISTS/ARTS ORGANISATIONS with Textiles specialism, including aspects of Printing.

Title: Me, the Artist and Maker.

Project Brief:  To develop skills for children and teachers in textiles, and aspects of printing, linked to environmental issues using recycled and/or found materials. To create quality work for a BDMAT Exhibition that develops the values of the individual schools and BDMAT, and raises aspirations.

We want to explore these themes in an exciting and innovative way through working with an artist/s from a textile background, with knowledge of printing. We are keen that this programme will develop art & design knowledge for teachers particularly around skill progression in these areas. The experience should inspire children through engaging with a professional artist/s and raising their aspirations for careers in the arts.

We are looking for artist/s or an arts organisation to work with six primary schools across Birmingham and Tamworth, all members of, or associated with, Birmingham Diocese Multi Academy Trust (BDMAT), to deliver a programme of high-quality textile workshops.  The workshops will lead to a final Celebration Event Exhibition where all children and staff involved can exhibit and celebrate their work in a creative way. We are keen that through this programme children and staff will explore and experiment with materials and equipment to develop skills and understanding in textile design, and if possible also in printing, and we are open to proposals covering different approaches.

We would like children to also develop confidence in using vocabulary in relation to: art and design; about themselves and their aspirations; their school’s values.  We recognise that the arts are excellent in creating an exploration and greater understanding of complex issues and developing cultural capital

For Further information and the full commission please see the attached document and go to: www.artsconnect.co.uk

BDMAT Artist COMMISSION_Final.docx

Designs in Mind are looking for a new CEO

We are looking for a CEO to inspire the culture internally and externally so Designs in Mind can thrive.  We are looking for someone who can bring people together to share a vision, someone to creatively and ambitiously lead the team, someone to identify and develop diverse income streams and someone to be an ambassador of Designs in Mind.

Application forms from: catherine @ designsinmind.co.uk

Designs in Mind, 17a Cross Street, Oswestry, SY11 2NF

01692 655 140​

Deadline: Friday 13th March 1pm             

Interviews: Expected to be around Tuesday 24th March/ Wednesday 25th March

https://www.designsinmind.co.uk/join-our-team

Discover Creative Leadership

The School for Social Entrepreneurs (SSE) is looking for applicants to take part in Discover Creative Leadership, a free learning programme with £2,000 financial support. Supported by our Transforming Leadership Fund, SSE are looking for those working in the art and cultural sector who want to embed change and social value within their organisations, build organisational sustainability and achieve social and artistic impact. GET INVOLVED www.the-sse.org/courses/creative-leadership/

Summer Reading Challenge - Volunteering Opportunity

Summer Reading Challenge Volunteer Job Description

Meadow Arts: Artistic Programme Assistant

About the Role:

We are looking for an enthusiastic and confident person to join our small team as Artistic Programme Assistant. The successful person will be organised and a strong communicator. Working closely with the Meadow Arts team, they will support the development and implementation of the artistic programme and ensure efficient delivery and management of projects and associated marketing activity. The role offers an excellent opportunity for the right candidate to progress a career within the arts and cultural sector and beyond.

The post holder will also play an important supporting role as a member of the team to:

• develop the artistic programme for our next business plan /NPO period from 2022-26.
• support our marketing manager in raising awareness of Meadow Arts as sector leaders in the region, both for high quality contemporary visual arts, and the education and engagement programmes linked to this work.

What You Will Bring to the Role

The successful candidate will:

• be flexible and approachable
• think strategically and creatively
• adopt a conscientious approach
• use excellent interpersonal and communication skills to support our work to develop and maintain external partnerships.
• have a passion for being involved in delivering a unique and high-quality contemporary arts programme
• enjoy working within a small and busy team.
• be based within a 40-mile radius of our Ludlow office
• be able to cover our region of operation (our core area is Herefordshire, Shropshire and Worcestershire. Projects can occasionally take place elsewhere, such as Coventry and the Welsh borders).

Closing date:

Applications close Tuesday 24 March 2020 at midnight. Interviews will be held in Ludlow, Shropshire on Tuesday 31 March 2020.

How to Apply:

Please Download the recruitment document for the Artistic Programme Assistant role here and read the document carefully before applying.

https://www.meadowarts.org/about-meadow-arts/opportunities

CPD – Developing the role of the Primary Arts Coordinator

Date: Friday 6^th March 2020

Time: 12.30pm – 4.30pm

Venue: Midland Arts Centre (MAC), Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham, B12 9QH

For: Primary Arts Coordinators/Teachers

Cost: £50 (inclusive of lunch and afternoon tea)

Birmingham Education Partnership and Arts Connect are delivering a workshop for Primary Teachers which explores the role of the Primary Arts Coordinator and how it can strengthen Arts Provision, whilst also supporting school improvement. The workshop will include: how to develop the Role of Primary Arts Lead/Coordinator; the implications of the new Ofsted framework; auditing provision; planning for progression; developing a strategy; commissioning Artists; CPD in the Arts; ways to track pupils’ skill progressions in the Arts. We will also be looking at how Artsmark and Arts Award can be used to maximum effect to further strengthen a school’s Arts and Cultural provision and Cultural Capital. The session will be led by BEP and Arts Connect with key workshop sessions delivered by Primary Teachers who are experienced  lead Arts Coordinators.  The day will provide practical action planning and an opportunity to share issues and solutions with colleagues.

Booking is essential: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/developing-the-role-of-the-primary-arts-coordinator-cpd-tickets-89224385539

Please note places are limited and this course is usually oversubscribed. Should you book and no longer need the place please cancel your ticket in Eventbrite or contact Gemma Corden - gemma.c@wlv.ac.uk

Digital Technologies and Working with Young People - we are delighted to invite you to our next very exciting Digital Symposium on Thursday 5th March 9.30-3.30pm MAC, Birmingham where we’ll be bringing together digital thinking and practice from across the West and East Midlands. You will be able to learn about new ways of using digital technologies to engage children, young people and family audiences in arts and cultural activities from music with K’antu Ensemble https://www.kantu-ensemble.co.uk/workshops.html, dance with Mercurial Dance  http://www.mercurialdance.co.uk/ and outdoor Theatre with Imagineer Productions  https://www.imagineer-productions.co.uk/about/ The day will be headlined by a keynote speaker (to be announced soon). Join us for this digital development day where practitioners and organisations from across the Midlands share their digital insights, research and development and projects. Inspired by Arts Connect’s approach to developing digital innovation and risk taking by the cultural sector through our digital bursaries. The Mighty Creatives (East Midlands) commissioned digital R&D projects and the successful arts and cultural organisations will present on the day. Attendees will also take part in our on-masse hands on digital activity, Escape Games, led by John Sear. http://johnsear.com/escape-room-diy/

Booking for the event can be found here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/arts-connect-digital-symposium-tickets-89229731529

To ensure everyone who wants a place can attend we are ticketing this event. In previous years we have had to turn away up to 20 people due to being fully booked, only to find on the day that not everyone. Tickets are priced at £10 for individuals and £25.00 for organisations. Lunch and refreshments will also be provided. 

The Tea Party – Refreshing the Curriculum

Thursday 25^th June | 2.30pm to 5.30pm | Midlands Art Centre – Birmingham

Tickets £5 this includes: Tea Party, stalls, resources and prize draw

The one stop shop connecting teachers & arts organisations across the West Midlands. Follow the link to get your tickets now! http://bit.ly/ACTeaParty20

The Other Side of the Wall - three day course run by the Geese Theatre Company exploring and practising a variety of theatre and drama-based methods for use in group work

TOSOW focuses on some of the basic principles behind Geese's use of drama with people in prison and community settings, offering you effective and widely applicable techniques in order to:

• Cross over the ‘wall’ and explore participants' experience of the world.
• Assist group participants in identifying patterns of behaviour and exploring new strategies for change.
• Identify and assist in the development of interpersonal skills.
• Create an environment where safe and relevant experiential learning can take place.

You'll have an opportunity to learn and practice:

• How to conduct active exercises which can help to build group cohesion and raise discussion around key issues of offending behaviour.
• How to facilitate the creation of images and simple theatre performances which can be used to examine thoughts, feelings and behaviour.
• How to use exercises and scene work to facilitate skills training related to themes such as: victim awareness, conflict resolution and problem solving.
• Rapport building including; basic questioning techniques, encouraging participation and working with resistance.

We limit the number of participants to ten per course so that everyone has the opportunity to try the techniques they have been exploring and to practise integrating them into their own skills base.

No previous drama or theatre experience is necessary, however a willingness to actively explore new methods of working is an essential requirement.

Next course: Wednesday 25th - Friday 27th March 2020 Cost: £350

For booking, please visit their website on the following link:

http://www.geese.co.uk/work/public-training/the-other-side-of-the-wall-three-day-course

You are invited to Thoughts Out Loud at Midlands Arts Centre in Birmingham  on 18^th March at 6pm – 9pm - a  PechaKucha presentation style event designed to bring a wide group of contributions from those of you who wish to take part. You can offer to give a presentation or just to come along and join in discussions. We want to hear what you would like to share about your creative and/or cultural leadership thinking right now. What is PechaKucha? PechaKucha’s 20x20 presentation format shows your 20 chosen images, each for 20 seconds. In other words, you've got 400 seconds to tell your story, with visuals guiding the way. PechaKucha means "chit chat" in Japanese. This creative outlet began as night time get-togethers in Tokyo in 2003 by two renowned architects. Since then, three million people have attended PechaKucha events worldwide. https://www.pechakucha.com/ Please follow the link below to book your place. Places are limited as we holding it in the Bryant Room to encourage an informal occasion! This is the second event to spring out from Cultural Democracy as Creative Practice our leadership convention held last October. If you haven’t yet explored our Cultural Leadership page where the event is documented you may like to follow this link to view a series of short videos where speakers and participants share their perspectives.https://www.artsconnect.co.uk/what-were-doing/leadership/cultural-leadership/

Book your place here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cultural-leadership-thoughts-out-loud-a-pechakucha-event-tickets-93244909033

Book your spot at Pride of Place 2020 A one-day conference with policy-makers, funders, and producers of rural culture, arts and heritage.

Thurs, 26 March 2020 | 09:30-17:00 | Tickets £29

The Green Dragon Hotel, Broad Street, Hereford, HR4 9BG

Are rural areas getting a fair bite of the apple? The Pride of Place 2020 conference is an arts, heritage and culture conversation in the heart of Herefordshire. Discuss culture-led rural regeneration with policy-makers, funders and cultural leaders, share innovative ideas, network with key organisations, and get your crucial questions answered. This is your chance to dig a little deeper into the role arts and heritage play in rural places across the UK. Book your place now.

The day will include:

Talks from:

• Laura Dyer MBE, Deputy Chief Executive, Places & Engagement, Arts Council England.
• Professor Simon Pemberton, Keele University. Author of Rural Regeneration in the UK.
• Clive Fletcher, Principal Advisor and Lead Specialist, Historic Places, Historic England. Author of Historic England Places Strategy.

Conversations and breakout sessions with:

• Rosie Millard, Chair of BBC Children in Need.
• Justine Wheatley, CEO of PEAK: Art in the Black Mountains
• Great Place: Lakes and Dales (Great Place Scheme)
• Northern Heartlands (Great Place Scheme)
• Create Gloucestershire
• Herefordshire's A Great Place (Great Place Scheme)
• Ferrous Festival

With thanks to Arts Council England, National Lottery Heritage Fund and the Elmley Foundation for supporting this event. Tickets will include all refreshments, lunch, and workshops.

For more information please email JacquiG@ruralmedia.co.uk

For programme details as they are announced head to www.the-shire.co.uk/prideofplace2020.

For tickets, tap here.

Youth projects to benefit from £7 million government investment Youth projects across the country will receive a share of a £7 million investment as part of the Government’s commitment to level up opportunities for young people. For Further information https://www.gov.uk/government/news/youth-projects-to-benefit-from-7-million-government-investment

Culture Central – A Toolkit for Smarter Cultural Investments in our Towns, Cities and Regions – https://gbslep.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/CC-CULTURAL-REPORT-Dec19-FINAL-web-friendly-Hyperlinked.pdf

Multiplying Leadership in Creative Communities

This report by Mark Robinson of Thinking Practice was commissioned by the Creative People and Places network to explore and contextualise leadership approaches across the Creative People and Places programme and to consider the impact and learning from this for the wider sector. Mark describes a framework for an open, collaborative style of working with others which tends to decentralise and flatten authority, bringing many more voices into leadership and decision-making than typical hierarchical structures. The report identifies similarities and differences with other approaches and includes useful thinking for others working across the cultural and social sectors to consider. It also describes a broad set of potential elements that can be used, adapted, remixed and built upon. 

www.creativepeopleplaces.org.uk/our-learning/multiplying-leadership-creative-communities

Arts Council England - Lets Create Strategy

Please follow this link to the Arts Council England’s new 2020 to 2030 ‘Lets Create’ Strategy: https://www.artscouncil.org.uk/letscreate

Free Resource – STEAM toolkit

At Artswork, we wanted to create a useful resource for teachers and schools to encourage the use of the arts across the curriculum, for a better tomorrow for school-age children across the South East.

This resource encourages opportunities for creative, connected learning by highlighting programmes that put arts and creativity at the heart of STEM learning.

The new Ofsted Framework requires schools to provide breadth and balance in their curriculum and build children and young people's cultural capital. Embedding a STEAM approach into your curriculum is one approach that can demonstrate this. https://artswork.org.uk/resources/steam-toolkit/

What is the role of creative and cultural learning in quality education?

ROH Bridge in collaboration with Artswork and Festival Bridges, recently convened a Head Teacher’s Symposium which provided a platform for the Ofsted Chief Inspector, Amanda Spielman, to give her perspective on the role of creative and cultural learning in a quality education. Read Amanda Spielman’s speech in full here. Lizzie Crump, Co-Director of the Cultural Learning Alliance and symposium host, gives her reflections on the day here.

National Plan for Music Consultation

You will have seen from the national press over the weekend that the DfE has launched an open consultation on the “National Plan for Music Education”.  This is the national framework which governs the funding we receive and the current plan is due to be refreshed at the end of 2020. We, along with many of our partners, have been involved in the early stages of discussion with the DfE and would now encourage everyone to visit the link below and have your say on the future of music education.  The DfE are hoping to hear from the music education workforce, industry, teachers, parents and young people so please forward the survey link on to your contacts and networks: https://consult.education.gov.uk/curriculum-implementation-unit/music-education-call-for-evidence/

The consultation period closes on the 13^th March 2020.

New Advocacy Document on Collaborative Research

Identifying the challenges and opportunities in a shifting landscape of collaborative research between cultural and Higher Education sectors, our newly produced advocacy document was devised by Dr Carolina Rito and Dr Bill Balaskas for the Collaborative Research Working Group for the MHECF. Analysing shifting research cultures, it recognises new modalities of practice research, and identifies recommendations to ACE and funding bodies, including Research Councils. http://midlandshecf.org/news/advocacy-document-on-collaborative-research

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.

http://www.jamilawalker.webeden.co.uk/ Jamila Walker (visual artist) - arts for health practitioner, fine artist and community artist.

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.melissasmeltingpot.co.uk/ Melissa's Melting Pot - small business offering enamelling and glass workshops.

 -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.

http://www.mythstories.com/ Mythstories - small museum featuring exhibits about myths and fables, also offer storytelling sessions.

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.

https://www.ravenstudios.org.uk/ Raven Studios - new artspace at the heart of Shrewsbury.

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.gateway-gallery.co.uk/ Shrewsbury and District Arts Association - organise regular concerts and art exhibitions.

https://shrewsburyfolkfestival.co.uk/ Shrewsbury Folk Festival - annual festival of folk music and traditional dance.

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.

http://www.vagabondipuppets.com/ Vagabondi Puppets - professional puppet theatre providing education and entertainment.

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...