CCS Connect March 2021

Hi All,

Welcome to the March edition of the CCS Connect e-news. It's a beautiful sunny day, Spring definitely feels like it's here! Hope you've been able to start meeting up with Friends and Family again. 

Thanks to those of you who shared opportunities and information for inclusion.

If you are receiving this e-news but your not signed up as a member of CCS, please go here to download a membership form. http://www.cultureconsortiumshropshire.com/join-ccs.html

Last week marked one year since the start of the National Lockdown. Shropshire Council have put together a brief video looking back at the pandemic’s impact here in Shropshire. 

The CCS Management Group would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you and other key workers, who have who have worked so hard over the past year to deal with the virus, and to help those affected by it. 

Restart Grants - On 1 April Shropshire Council will start work on handing out Restart grants, which aim to get the economy ready to deal with challenges that come with opening up after the third Lockdown. More information available here - https://shropshire.gov.uk/covid-19-grants 

CCS Cultural Providers Directory - thanks to those of you who sent an organisational listing for inclusion in the new 2021 CCS Cultural Providers Directory. We are currently looking at the best way to share the information and host it on a website. Fingers crossed it will be launched in the next few weeks. 

Please continue to send us your digital and online opportunities and we will share them in this e-news and via social media. See below for details of how to do this.

If you want to see previous editions of the CCS Connect e-news, they are available on the CCS website - https://www.cultureconsortiumshropshire.com/ccs-connect--news.html

Take Care, have a lovely Bank Holiday weekend and Easter.

CCS Management Group

Please follow the government guidelines on COVID-19 when delivering activity. For updates, take a look at the NHS and Gov.UK webpages.

If you would like CCS to share the online and digital opportunities you have available for children and young people and their families, please contact Alexa Pugh, email, alexa.pugh@shropshire.gov.uk

We’re looking for local workshops, performances, film, animation, virtual tours, exhibitions, talks, mentoring, articles, CPD and resources etc. Content needs to be accessible and age appropriate for children and young people and their families.

The deadline for inclusion of information in the next e-news is Thursday 22nd April.

Please tag us in events on Facebook and we will share them - https://www.facebook.com/cultureconsortiumshrops/

Twitter – Culture Consortium Shropshire @CultureShrop #spotlightshropscyp

Website – https://www.cultureconsortiumshropshire.com/

New for 2021, Dance4 and DanceXchange will deliver MY (Midlands Youth) Dance Digital 2021

A celebration of youth dance across the whole of the Midlands region- DX & Dance4 are hosting MY (Midlands Youth) Dance Digital 2021 for dancers aged 11-19 or up to 25 with disabilities, this April as part of One Dance UK's U.Dance 2021.
We welcome dancers performing ANY style or genre. Open to school or community groups, youth dance companies, private dance schools, individual dancers. Dancers can create brand new content which follows current government pandemic guidelines such as utilising Zoom, working within a bubble or working in COVID secure settings. You can also submit pre-recorded work or a mixture of the two. Your submitted dance piece must be suitable for screen.
Deadline: Wednesday 31 March 21 MY DANCE 2021 CALL-OUT - DanceXchange

Active approaches to Shakespeare CPD session for primary teachers #STARTS (Staffordshire Teachers ARTS Network).  Thursday 29 April 4.00 – 5.30pm  The New Vic Theatre has been the regional theatre partner for the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Associate Schools Programme. This programme, which includes CPD, develops techniques for making Shakespeare and other rich text more accessible to children and young people, through an active approach inspired by the rehearsal room itself. Join the New Vic Theatre to hear from Jan Anderson, Deputy Head and literacy co-coordinator at our lead partner school, about the effect of the programme on her own practice and research and take part in a practical and enjoyable taster session of the work. This event will provide the online space to bring together creative and education practitioners to celebrate, share and learn, with our guest speakers, Arts Connect and local artists and arts and cultural organisations. Who is it for? - Primary School Teachers and arts & cultural organisations. What is it? - Staffordshire Teachers ARTS Network, for Primary and Secondary teachers aims to deliver quality ARTS focussed CPD in partnership with artists and arts organisations across the region. Cost? - £10 to enable the sustainability of the STARTS network- This includes a digital CPD certificate of attendance. How do I book?- Click the link below to book your Eventbrite ticket https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/active-approaches-to-shakespeare-cpd-starts-primary-tickets-146316475517

Soundlab are looking for young people to join SoundLab-BRUM and SoundLab-COV
If you know of a young musician who would benefit and thrive through being part of a wider musical community, we would love to hear from them! Soundlab is Royal Birmingham Conservatoire’s Centre’s for Creative Music Making, bringing young people together to be part of a wider musical community, making the music young people want to make in the way they want to make it.  There are currently two centres; one in Birmingham and one in Coventry, both are run in partnership with the local music hubs, Coventry Music Hub and Services for Education, Birmingham Music Education Partnership and cater for young people between the ages of 11 and 18 who have a passion for music, supporting them on their musical and creative journeys. From spoken words artists, to producers, flautists, guitarists, drummers and everything else in between, SoundLabbers work together to create brand new material. 

The pandemic and lockdown has changed how we deliver the programme and has reminded us how important creativity and the arts are as a way of young people from diverse backgrounds to come together and focus on the social and emotional benefits of making music together. We set a challenge to the young people – what is your message to the world? What do you want to shout about?  They responded by writing a brand-new song remotely and storyboarding their own video.  ‘Songbirds – Hear the Young People Call’ has been written, recorded, storyboarded, and videoed entirely by the young people involved in the programme over the last couple of months.  The song represents them, their feelings, and their hope for the world. In the song the young people descried themselves as Caged Songbirds using music, creativity, and unity to express themselves and set themselves free. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C51bBkWwfbM

We are always looking for young people to join SoundLab-BRUM and SoundLab-COV, if you know of a young musician who would benefit and thrive through being part of a wider musical community, we would love to hear from them!

Email : soundlab@bcu.ac.uk

Facebook : www.facebook.com/RBCSoundLab

Twitter : @RBCSoundLab

Instagram : @RBCSoundLab

The Media Show - June Sarpong: What is diversity? 

BBC Sounds https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m000llx7
Listen to this with Matheew Syed and June Sarpong - he talks more about his book Rebel ideas. The BBC's Director of Creative Diversity on why change is needed. www.bbc.co.uk

DASH are looking for young artists aged between16-25, to take part in new and free online art courses!

There are 3 virtual worlds to choose from. You may practise printmaking, illustration, painting, installation, fashion, performance and more! What you might discover depends on the unique world in which you decide to explore!

These inclusive short courses are designed to inspire young disabled artists during these challenging times. Each course is led by an artist-leader who will guide you through their world of creative practices and art forms.

Find out more and explore the worlds on offer on the DASH Projects page: https://www.dasharts.org/projects/worlds-within-worlds-call-out.html

BSL and EASY READ version available.

Deadline for Applications: Midnight on 7 April 2021

Rural voices wanted

As part of the RURALities programme, Meadow Arts has commissioned rural artist Emily Wilkinson to create a piece of audio art documenting this year’s transition into Spring. We want to hear from those living and working in rural areas to collect your views about lifting out of the pandemic, and the coming of Spring as we approach the Vernal Equinox (sometimes known as Spring Equinox, The Arousing or Thunder in the Earth).
If you’d like to contribute to the project's audio library, you can record audio clips (using a smartphone or another device) and email them to leanne@meadowarts.org along with your name and location. All contributions will be anonymous unless you’d specifically like to be credited - please indicate in your email. 
The deadline for contributions is midnight on Sunday 21st March, the day of the Vernal Equinox. We will be launching the audio library to accompany the artwork over Easter.

The Nation’s Rural Theatre Company  Pentabus is marking one year since the country went into the first lockdown with two  audio pieces inspired by the provocation - Spring’s Calling.  I, Nyx: (A daughter’s daughter) by Sophie Stone  Folklore and Fitness with Carole Vegan by Tim Foley   Released on Saturday 20 March 2021, 10am   Listen via: https://pentabus.co.uk/springs-calling    These two pieces are part of an event coinciding with the Spring Equinox on Saturday  20 March 2021, coordinated by the West Midlands Culture Response Unit to mark one year since the country went into the first lockdown.   The event will be made up of 3-5 minute audio artworks, including spoken word,  podcasts, music and singing – from artists and organisations across the region. The  pieces focus on nature, spring, outdoors, reflection, restarting and growth; as the  cultural sector looks ahead to returning to live events, re-opening venues and  welcoming back audiences. To enjoy the event, audiences should search for the  hashtag #SpringsCalling across social media.   Pentabus Artistic Director, Elle While said: ‘I am delighted we have commissioned these  extraordinary artists to contribute their spellbinding work to Spring’s Calling. I urge you  to put your headphones on or watch the waves of their voices to transport you; your  heart will swell, your smile will spread as we look forward to brighter days.’   The audio releases will be available on Pentabus’ website as well as social media from 10am on Saturday 20 March 2021.   Pentabus.co.uk | Youtube: PentabusTheatre

Tuesday 20th April, 6.00pm to 8.00pm via Zoom

DASH (Disability Arts Shropshire)

A mentor is an experienced and trusted adviser.

DASH has been running mentoring schemes for Disabled visual artists since 2015.

Mentoring is great; we all need support, reflection and a chance to talk about our artwork.

This artist café will be a chance to:

Try out co-mentoring where you work in pairs supporting each other

Learn the basics of mentoring

Meet the DASH team and hear what we are up to and planning www.dasharts.org

Meet one of our mentees Fae Kilburn who is an experienced print maker https://www.faekilburn.co.uk/

To Book a place please email Alexa Pugh, Arts Development Officer, Shropshire Council - alexa.pugh@shropshire.gov.uk

Your views on collaborating with Higher Education Collaborations between arts and cultural organisations and Higher Education can bring huge value to both parties. The new National Centre for Academic and Cultural Exchange (NCACE) exists to support that work and to understand and champion the wider benefits of knowledge exchange. The starting point for this is a deep understanding of why and how arts organisations get involved with universities and colleges, which is why we are asking arts practitioners to share their experiences in a short survey   Tell us about your collaborative activities and the value they bring to your organisation and/or creative practice, and we can develop the support systems that help both cultural organisations and academic institutions make the most of future opportunities. Over the next four years, we will be helping the sector with: brokering relationships, collaboration support and networking skills and capacity development evidencing and impact development showcasing and communication The information collected through this survey will help us to better understand and advocate for the value of creative collaborations and knowledge exchange.   We greatly appreciate your time. THANK YOU for sharing your perspectives, insights and experiences with us.

Arts Link Webinar series 2021 Webinar #4: EVALUATING CREATIVE PRACTICE FOR ARTISTS with Sal Hampson and Abi D’Amore Insights into understanding and articulating the impact of arts activities in the care system, including ways for artists to observe and record the impact of their work as it happens. Wednesday 21 April 2021, 5 - 6.30pm Zoom Register: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/artslink-webinar-4- evaluating-creative-practice-for-artists-tickets-132428861289  Joining instructions sent 1 hour before the webinar commences N.B. if you can’t make a webinar but would like to access a recording please email us at artslinkwm@gmail.com

South Shropshire Youth Network is a peer support network for anyone working with young people in south Shropshire; be it voluntary or paid;  individually or as part of an organisation. Membership is free. If you’re working with young people in south Shropshire or planning to do that in the future, you’re welcome to join the next network meeting on Wednesday 31 March 11am-12.30 on Zoom. Just contact Marinke on: marinke.ssyf@outlook.com

Upcoming Shropshire Ethnic Minority Alliance (SEMA) events:

Call out to help Creative Community Champions thrive! Do you lead, organise or provide a venue for creative cultural activities that take place regularly in social groups? Voluntary Arts is excited to launch a call out across England that aims to create connections with and between leaders and coordinators of voluntary and amateur participatory arts and creative groups. They are invited to respond by completing this online contact form https://bit.ly/AskChampions  The call out aims to identify the skills and resources needed to support your creative activity in 2021 and beyond. This is the first step in a wider programme aimed at supporting Creative Community Champions through our network of regional Development Officers.  As the pandemic lockdown begins to ease, Voluntary Arts are providing support to Creative Community Champions across England as they begin to think about running their activities in person once again. If you lead, organise or provide a venue for creative cultural activities that take place regularly in social groups then get in touch via this online form https://bit.ly/AskChampions  Voluntary Arts plans to run this connection campaign annually so that we can make contact with, and support, new and existing Creative Community Champions! About Voluntary Arts Voluntary Arts works to promote and increase active participation in creative cultural activities across the UK and the Republic of Ireland. This encompasses everything from traditional amateur arts and crafts (singing, drama, dancing, quilting, painting, photography, writing, etc) to digital arts, street art, creative cookery and gardening - from knitting a jumper to playing a guitar, making a short film to arranging flowers, from self-governed constituted amateur arts groups to informal get-togethers and individual everyday creativity - from the 'serious amateur' to the occasional participant. We support, connect and advocate for self-governed creative groups to nurture our vital creative cultural ecosystems; to help make them sustainable for those who run them, and to help make group creativity accessible to as many people as possible.  For more information, please get in touch with the Voluntary Arts Team via email at info@voluntaryarts.org. Alternatively, you can find the latest information via the Voluntary Arts website www.voluntaryarts.org or by following #CreativeChampions on social media: Twitter:@voluntaryarts  Facebook: @voluntaryarts Instagram: @voluntary_arts

Birmingham Safeguarding Children Partnership - Learning & Development Programme this programme is open to anyone in the culture sector who works with children and young people, and includes a very wide range of opportunities to develop your safeguarding knowledge and skills. All courses will be delivered online until the end of July 2021.

The Church Stretton Arts Festival has been held for 2 weeks during the summer months for the last 53 years and has brought a wonderful selection of both music and drama to the community during that time. In later years we have also included a very successful Art, Crafts and Photography Exhibition which showcases and sells various pieces from local artists. This year will see a much reduced programme but will include 3 outdoor events and some smaller indoor music events.

As a Charity we rely on a huge number of volunteers and supporters to help the Trustees and the voluntary organising teams to plan and run the festival. The majority of the help is needed over the Festival period but we do need more people who can commit to helping us throughout the year and take on some key voluntary roles that have become vacant. All roles are unpaid. 

Treasurer - The workload is greatest around the time of the Arts Festival (July/August) but there is some all-year work. Our accounting year is 1st September to 31st August. With a scaled-down 2021 Festival the workload should be lighter than normal this year and our outgoing Treasurer will be available to go through the well documented processes before moving out of the area. There is a preference for a Qualified Accountant to take on this role, however, experienced bookkeepers will certainly be considered

Drama Director – The person taking on this role must have some experience of sourcing and booking performers. They will work closely with the main Festival committee and will ideally also become a Trustee.

Tickets and membership – We are looking to make this a more automated system so whoever takes on this role will play a key part in setting up the new procedures needed.

We are also looking to enlarge the voluntary teams who cover the Technical Support (sound, lighting and moving equipment around) and the Refreshments.

If you are interested, or know of someone who might be interested, then please email us at info@strettonfestival.org.uk or phone 01694 722317.

Call out for Collaborative Sketchbooks project.  

Collaborative Sketchbooks is one of four strands in Tanya Raabe-Webber’s project  ‘Practice in a Digital World’. Funded by Art Council England and the National  Lottery. 

All four strands intertwine, drawing particular attention to the pandemic’s impact  on the limited mobility of disabled people. These strands include Collaborative  Sketchbooks - digital and handmade collaborative sketchbooks,  CountrysideSpecial - a series of self portraits within a 10 mile radius of Tanya’s  home studio, ArtStudio01 - Home Studio practices in an online studio space, and  Postcard Art Express, an international creative postcard exchange.  

Collaborative Handmade Sketchbooks  

Tanya is looking to work collaboratively with 4 Deaf/Disabled Artists/Ethnically  Diverse Disabled Artists/Learning Disabled Artists/Neurodiverse artists. 

Tanya explores collaborative inclusive practice that has a Disability cultural  perspective. Through this collaboration, diversity, intersectionality and our over  lapping identities will form the basis of these visual conversations. 

This will be a 1-2-1 collaborative and creative exchange between each artist and  Tanya to create 4 separate hand folded sketchbooks. Tanya and the artists will  take turns to respond to each others artworks in the sketchbook. The rules are  there are no rules! The sketchbook will be posted back and forth using the postal  service. Hand folded sketchbook and postage and packaging will be provided by  the project. Each artist will use art materials they have at home. 

The theme for collaborative sketchbooks will be Local Environments, drawing  attention to the pandemics impact on the limited mobility of disabled people. 

Artists Fee £400 

Collaborative Digital Sketchbooks  

Tanya is also looking to work collaboratively with 2 Deaf/Disabled Artists/Ethnically  Diverse Disabled Artists/Learning Disabled Artists/Neurodiverse Artists. 

This will be a 1-2-1 collaborative and creative online exchange between each artist  and Tanya using iPads to create two separate individual, digital sketchbook  artworks. Tanya and the artists will take turns to respond to each others artworks  online using iPad creative Apps, Procreate, Notes and Photos/shared albums to  exchange and interact with each other’s artworks. iPads and apps will be loaned  to the artist for the duration of the project.  

The theme for collaborative sketchbooks will be Local Environments, drawing  attention to the pandemics impact on the limited mobility of disabled people. 

Artists Fee £400

How to apply for Collaborative Sketchbooks. 

To apply please send an image (jpeg max 5mb) of one artwork created within the  last 12 months to Tanya to one of the following: 

• Facebook messenger, Tanya Raabe 
• Twitter Direct Messages @tanyaraabe 
• Instagram Direct Messages @tanraabe 
• Email tanartwks@gmail.com

Please state your name, your art form and the title and medium of the artwork that  you are submitting.  

Please state what part of the country you are in.  

If you are on social media please list your tag, if you have one. 

Selection Process  

Tanya will select a short list based on her creative connection to the images  submitted. 

Shortlisted artists will be invited to a short informal zoom/online/phone chat with  Tanya to share creative processes and to find out more about each other. Tanya  will choose the 6 sketchbook artists based on these creative connections.  

All shortlisted art works and the artists will be profiled on Tanya’s instagram page  during the project. 

The closing date for applications is Wednesday 7th April at 5.00pm. Successful artists will be informed by Friday 30th April. 

The project will start on Mon 10th May. 

The project ends 31st August.

Recruitment: Meadow Arts Education & Engagement Manager

Meadow Arts is recruiting a new Education and Engagement Manager. We’d like to meet people with creative flair who can bring new, innovative outreach ideas and experience to our work. 

The successful person will: 

• Have experience of managing and/or delivering arts engagement activities, including working with schools and underserved communities, such as those living and/or learning in rural areas
• Understand inclusive engagement practice and have a passion to develop this approach
• Have excellent communication skills and a positive outlook.
• Have knowledge of monitoring and evaluating projects
• Investigate and test new ways of increasing the range of digital engagement outputs (e.g. downloadable activities, online workshops etc.)
• Continue to explore and invest in existing partnerships and develop new ones
• Think strategically and creatively
• Have a passion for delivering unique, high-quality contemporary arts programme
• Enjoy working within a small and busy team 

Meadow Arts has a small team of five staff members (including this role), all working part-time in the rural West Midlands to bring contemporary art to people who might not usually get to engage with it. We believe that excellent contemporary art has the power to encourage new ideas and expand horizons. 

We work with partner venues to produce our exhibitions, putting artworks and art projects into places like outdoor and indoor public spaces; stately homes (for example with National Trust and English Heritage); libraries; museums; churches; cathedrals; colleges and universities – we are open to ideas and want to inspire and challenge people.

Our aim is to become a truly inclusive organisation with a workforce and audience as diverse as the communities we serve. We believe that what we do will have greater impact if our organisation better reflects the region in which we work and we therefore welcome applications from those who will bring a difference.

The closing date for applications is midnight on Tuesday 6th April 2021

Visit the website to download the full job pack here: 

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

Detached Youth Work Team 

We are currently are in the process of recruiting to the part-time staff team and are hopeful that this team will consist of 5 trainee Youth Support Work Posts to enable new opportunities for people wanting to have a career in Youth Work.

So…. What is Detached Youth Work?

Detached Youth work is a form of Youth Work that is targeted at young people on their territory, this could be streets, parks, open and shared public spaces. Participation is voluntary and engagement is on the terms of the young people, we are NOT a consent driven service. Detached Youth Work begins where young people are in terms of their values, issues and ambitions and is concerned with their Personal, Social and Moral Education. The role of a Youth Worker is an educational one, however is informal in its approach.

The main principles that undertake Detached Youth Work are:

1.It’s a voluntary relationship. The relationship between young person and worker is instrumental to the process being a success and aims to establish relationships based on trust and respect.

2.It encourages young people to have a voice in their communities and participate in decision making.

3.Its developmental – for example, the group may feel they need support around drug education.  A setting would carefully need to be considered and the individual needs of young people will be understood to enable a successful intervention. The relationship is key to a successful intervention. Partnership working with agencies to introduce their service can be done at this point.

Whilst we are in the process of recruiting, we are currently undertaking extensive reconnaissance work (information gathering)  The Team have been in contact with many services and is looking to initiate contact with young people via Woodlands School and TMBSS to start their initial contact which will them move out into the community.  We are currently engaging with local Town and Parish Councils to see how we can support them with their commissioning of youth provision in their areas, making sure that young people’s voices are heard and that they are an integral part of the commissioning process.

We’ll keep updating you on our journey and will let you know when we become fully operational on the streets. In the meantime, if you have any queries please contact helena.williams@shropshire.gov.uk

Magic Little Grants 2021 Open on 1 March

Six funding trusts from the People’s Postcode Lottery and Localgiving will be working together to award more than £1 million in small grants to some 2,000 charitable organisations in England, Scotland and Wales over the next six months.

Unlike previous years when projects had to deliver sports or physical activities, this year (2021) the funding aims to support organisations carrying out projects that address the following themes:

• Improving mental wellbeing
• Enabling community participation in the arts
• Preventing or reducing the impact of poverty
• Supporting marginalised groups and promoting equality
• Improving biodiversity and green spaces
• Enabling participation in physical activity
• Responding to the climate emergency and promoting sustainability
• Increasing community access to outdoor space.

Organisations that receive a grant will also be awarded a year of free membership (funded by the player’s of the People’s Postcode Lottery). This means that the grant recipient will not have to pay the £80 + VAT membership fee, although they will still be required to set up a direct debit upon registration.

Also new for 2021, charitable organisations that are schools or connected to schools may apply. This is in addition to registered charities, Community Interest Companies (CICs), Charitable Incorporated Organisations (CIOs, SCIOs) social enterprises, and other not-for-profit community organisations.

Applications will be accepted from 1 March 2021 to 31 October 2021.

Youth Music Network

We're a national charity supporting young people's lives in music. Equity, diversity and inclusion drive our vision and mission. We want to equalise access to music: we focus on those who would otherwise miss out because of who they are, where they live, or what they're going through. Through our funding programmes we invest in music programmes for children and young people, and work that helps organisations to diversify and be more inclusive.

Programmes funded by Youth Music work with children and young people of all ages, from babies and their families through to young adults up to the age of 25, using the power of music to support musical, personal and social development.

Grants of £2,000 to £30,000 are available to support music-making and music-making related activities for children and young people (aged 0-25) facing barriers.

See more information online at: network.youthmusic.org.uk   

NEXT DEADLINES:

Round 21 - 1 April 2021 Round 22 - 30 July 2021

Alan Surtees Trust opens 2021 funding round for young folk performers  Emerging folk musicians, dancers and singers are being invited to apply for grants of up to £1,000 to help develop their careers. Up to three awards will be made by the Alan Surtees Trust, which was established in memory of the co-founder and director of Shrewsbury Folk Festival who died in 2017.  The grants can be used to fund items such as new instruments and equipment, recording costs, mentoring or support for personal musical development. They will be made to artists aged 16 to 30 who show exceptional skill, talent and promise in their field and whose work is rooted in, or influenced by, folk and traditional music and arts. Previous recipients include 2019 BBC Young Folk Award winner Maddie Morris who was given funding to buy equipment to record and produce her own music. Trust chair Dave Cowing said: “The last 12 months have been an incredibly hard for all performers as the global coronavirus pandemic decimated the live music industry. This has had a real impact on many emerging musicians, singers and dancers and their chance to progress with their musical development and projects so we hope that our grants will make a difference. “Alan was hugely passionate about giving performers a helping hand at the start of their career in folk and would have been delighted with the emerging talent we’ve been able to support since the inception of the trust. Every year the standard of the applications we receive is truly outstanding and it’s very hard to choose. But the grants we’ve given so far have been a wonderful legacy for Alan and we look forward to supporting more future folk stars this year.” The trust has also announced the appointment of a new trustee. Award winning singer songwriter Greg Russell has taken over from Grace Petrie, who has stepped down after four years in the role. As well as his musical career, Greg works in community arts projects and education with young people and adults.  He said: “I was so honoured to be asked to work with the trust. Alan was a huge supporter of young musicians and backed up that verbal support with real, fantastic opportunities. Some of my fondest musical memories came as a direct consequence of Alan’s enthusiasm and encouragement. To be part of something which continues his love for fresh, new, eclectic music is a real joy.”   QUALIFYING CRITERIA Grants are invited from musicians, singers, dancers and other performers in the folk arts. Applicants can be solo artists, bands or groups. Applicants should be aged between 16 and 30 at the time of application. They must live in the UK and not already have significant financial backing. Three awards of up to £1,000 per person will be given for mentoring and tuition from experts in the genre, hiring of rehearsal and creative space, costs towards new instruments and equipment, recording and production of a debut album, production of promotional materials and marketing support or project research and development expenses such as artist fees or travel expenses. The closing date for applications is April 30. For more information and to apply, go to: www.alansurteestrust.org.uk. The application form includes the option to submit a personal video from applicants and this is encouraged by trustees. Only successful candidates will be contacted and the successful recipients will be announced in June. Follow the trust on Twitter @ASurteesTrust or on Facebook @AlanSurteesTrust

Artsfundraising ‪@artsfundraising have collated a list of funder responses to COVID -19 from across the arts and charity sectors as a resource for charities. Information is updated regularly as things change rapidly - you can read more here:  bit.ly/3bqtfoR pic.twitter.com/9nCq3WGITh

Baring Foundation  @Baring_Found have launched a new fund for projects which address the under-representation of participatory artists from ethnically diverse communities in arts & mental health - grants £10K-40K:  https://baringfoundation.org.uk/news-story/new-funding-for-creativity-mental-health-and-people-from-ethnically-diverse-backgrounds/

Updates from WMCA

West Midlands Combined Authority's Head of Policy and Programme Development Adam Hawksbee recently gave us an update on some key Government announcements and initiatives, as well as some key regional strategies.We thought it would be useful to share links to information about the various topics that Adam updated on, these are:

• Budget Breakdown 2021 and the Key Points for the West Midlands
• Levelling Up Fund prospectus (this is a capital fund, directed through local authorities)
• UK Community Renewal Fund (this is a revenue fund, co-ordinated by WMCA)
• WMCA Community Recovery Strategy
• WMCA Economic Recovery Strategy
• WMCA Net Zero Strategy

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

Funded by