Welcome to the latest edition of the Vibrant Shropshire newsletter.
We want to highlight some of the great opportunities and projects happening across Shropshire's cultural sector.
If you have something you would like to share in future newsletters such as a job opportunity, funding, cultural opportunity or a success story, do let us know by emailing culturalcompact@shropshire.gov.uk
Make sure to check out the Cultural Funding Opportunities at the end of the newsletter.
If you think this newsletter might be of interest to someone you know, please forward it onto them. To make sure you get this newsletter every month, subscribe here.
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Vibrant Shropshire: a Cultural Compact welcomes the publication of the UK Government’s recent report, which shines a much-needed light on the barriers facing young people as they seek to embark on careers in the creative industries. The findings reveal a concerning lack of information, understanding and support for those wishing to enter sectors such as film, music, visual arts, advertising and video games. Notably, nearly one in three young people aged 11–18 express an interest in pursuing creative careers, yet almost half are uncertain about the skills and qualifications required. The full report is available here
These national findings resonate strongly here in Shropshire, where vibrant local communities are brimming with creative potential, but young people often face additional hurdles due to rurality, limited access to cultural resources, and fewer visible pathways into creative professions. Too many talented individuals are held back by a lack of awareness, guidance and real opportunities to develop and showcase their skills.
Over the last two years, Vibrant Shropshire: a Cultural Compact has been able to address some of these issues by providing grant funding or commissioning community partners to develop and deliver training, coaching and mentoring opportunities for people interested in pursuing a career in the arts. This has been made possible thanks to funding from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund over the last two years.
If you would like to read about some of these projects, please click the button below:
Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings (English Heritage), in partnership with Vibrant Shropshire, delivered a series of free family activities over the summer holidays and October half-term. The workshops were based around their community mosaic mural and encouraged local families to be creative together.
The activities included:
- arts and crafts
- music
- storytelling
- drama
This project was run as part of the ‘This is Shropshire’ Festival series organised by Vibrant Shropshire and funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
Watch the video below to find out more about the ‘Beyond the Mosaic’ project:
For Arts & Culture Organisations
Are you part of an arts or culture organisation looking to strengthen your fundraising skills? Join one of Vibrant Shropshire’s Effective Bid Writing Training Sessions. Led by Community Resource, the sessions are designed especially for arts and culture groups aiming to secure funding and bring creative projects to life.
Event Details
There will be two training sessions; one in North Shropshire and one in South Shropshire. You need only attend one.
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Session 1: 2nd December, 9:30am – 12:30pm
Location: Festival Drayton Centre, Market Drayton
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Session 2: 4th December, 1:30pm – 4:30pm
Location: Ludlow Assembly Rooms, Ludlow
Who Should Attend?
Arts and culture organisations, including small charities and community groups, seeking practical skills and confidence in bid writing.
What You’ll Learn
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Key Principles of Effective Bid Writing: Discover what funders in the arts and culture sector are looking for and how to align your mission with their priorities.
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Structuring a Compelling Funding Application: Learn to present your project’s needs and outcomes in a compelling way.
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Avoiding Common Pitfalls: Identify and avoid the most frequent mistakes in funding applications.
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Storytelling for Impact: Use evidence and storytelling to make your case stand out – essential for arts and culture projects.
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Practical Writing Activities: Draft your own need statement or project summary and receive peer feedback.
Session Highlights
- Interactive exercises and real-world case studies relevant to arts and culture
- Tips for using SMART objectives and clear budgeting
- Guidance on demonstrating community need and project sustainability
- Q&A, networking, and signposting to local funding support services
Why Attend?
- Gain confidence in your bid writing skills
- Improve your chances of securing funding for arts and culture projects
- Connect with peers and build a support network
Book now:
If you would like to attend, please book either:
the Market Drayton Funding session:
Or the Ludlow session:
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You are warmly invited to the closing event of the Hey! Earthlings! project, in which people who have moved across borders worked with those offering welcome.
Date: Thursday 4 December
Time: 5:30 - 7:30pm
Location: Shropshire Archives, Castle Gates, Shrewsbury, SY1 2AQ
In this interactive talk we will share our learnings in video, sound and readings and introduce a guidance toolkit aimed at practitioners and organisations that might want to deliver similar community projects in future. We are delighted to be joined by Amanda Jones, Director, Cultures in Unity Training and Development Ltd and founder/former CEO of Shropshire Supports Refugees.
The project name comes from the fact that all of us are Earthlings - we live on the Earth, we depend on it and on each other. The project aims are, above all, related to welcoming diversity, sharing what we have and the quality of kindness. We were funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and worked in partnership with Shropshire Supports Refugees. Supporting organisations included English Heritage, Shrewsbury and Oswestry Libraries, Shropshire Archives, Shropshire Wildlife Trust, Shrewsbury Town Council and Shropshire European Organisation CIC.
Hey! Earthlings! worked during Summer and Autumn 2025 with diverse groups of people of all ages, and from many countries. Together we explored local heritage sites at Old Oswestry Hillfort, Darwin's House and Doctor's Field in Shrewsbury - walking, observing nature, sharing stories and songs, making art.
You can read more about the project here.
We would love to welcome you at this event and have a conversation.
Reserve your free place here:
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 Last week, Vibrant Shropshire: A Cultural Compact worked in partnership with Shropshire’s Great Outdoors and the Shropshire Council Visitor Economy Team to deliver training event on organising your own festival or event.
The event took place at Shrewsbury Town Football Club and was led by Beth Heath from Shropshire Festivals. Drawing on decades of experience, Beth guided attendees through the key considerations for successful event organisation, including:
- Legislation and compliance
- Insurance requirements
- Risk assessments
- Policies and procedures
- Health and safety essentials
- Basic marketing strategies
Her insights provided invaluable guidance for both new and aspiring event organisers.
The event also featured case studies from other event organisers:
- Julia Roberts from Ginger and Spice Festival, a community festival that celebrates Market Drayton’s culinary heritage and history.
- Harriet Dearden and Andy Silvey from Andali Events who run Ludlow’s Storm the Castle event, together with other challenge running and walking events
They shared how they organise their events or festivals, including the challenges they’ve faced, the successes they’ve achieved, and practical tips or quick wins that could help others planning similar events.
We extend our sincere thanks to all the speakers for generously sharing their expertise, and to everyone who attended and contributed to making the event a success.
Here are Beth's slides from the event with some things to think about when planning your next event:
This event was funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
 Our Vibrant Shropshire website includes a directory of all the Vibrant Shropshire partners. This directory will be used to connect partners, promote co-working and link up Shropshire's cultural sector.
To be included in this directory and share the work that you do, please fill out the form linked below.
Once you have filled out the form, please send us a copy of your logo to culturalcompact@shropshire.gov.uk
If you are not a Vibrant Shropshire partner, why not become one for free? Please sign up using the link below, you will then be able to complete the directory form:
Have you got a project coming up that you would like to promote?
Do you have news that you would like to share with your peers?
Perhaps you know about an opportunity for cultural practitioners that isn't listed here.
We want to hear from you.
Please send us details of:
- events
- exhibitions
- classes
- employment opportunities
- shows and performances
- commission opportunities
- available funding
- partnership projects
Our aim is to make this newsletter as informative and useful for Shropshire's Cultural Sector. If you know of an opportunity that's of interest to you, chances are it's of interest to another creative practitioner too.
Please send details to culturalcompact@shropshire.gov.uk
Below you will find a selection of currently open cultural funding opportunities. To see a full list of cultural funding opportunities, please visit the funding page of our website.
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Airbnb Best of British Fund
Airbnb are looking for initiatives of all sizes that support the visitor experience and make British travel unforgettable.
Eligible projects should fall into at least one of the following categories:
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Nature & Outdoors – submissions that encourage visitors to get outside and explore the very best of UK's rich and diverse landscape
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Food & Dining – submissions that showcase the best of UK food culture, from pubs and street food to world- class cuisine.
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Music & Arts – submissions that shine a light on UK's global creative influence, from local festivals and theatre to iconic cultural stories.
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Culture & Heritage – submissions which protect, restore or celebrate UK's rich history and traditions.
Successful applicants could receive grants of up to £100,000 to support unique and distinctive stays, experiences and attractions that make British holidays so memorable and help communities thrive.
Grant amount: up to £100,000
Deadline: 7 December 2025
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DENSO JCE Fund
Two prominent Telford companies, DENSO Manufacturing UK Limited and JCE & Sons, have pooled resources to offer grants for Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin organisations who empower and inspire young people aged 16 – 25 who are care leavers, home educated, or living in high-deprivation areas.
The Fund aims to strengthen young people’s engagement, confidence, and inspire pathways into meaningful education, employment, or training, through participative, youth-led, creative, skills and mentoring activities.
Grant amount: up to £5,000
Deadline: 18 December 2025
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UK Community Tree Planting Programme
Every year, International Tree Foundation (ITF) supports community groups across the UK and Ireland to bring their tree-planting ambitions to life. Whether it’s a small community woodland or large scale rewilding, they want to hear your ideas.
Grant amount: Projects to range from 100 – 10,000 trees planted per year, with a maximum price equivalent to £2.05/tree (inclusive of tree protection and mulch). In addition, these projects also receive two maintenance grants equivalent to £0.10/tree, both in the first and second summers after planting.
Deadline: 12 December 2025
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To find more available funding opportunities, take a look at the Available Funding page on our website:
Know about an arts or cultural funding opportunity that isn't listed here? Please contact us
To share your news with Vibrant Shropshire partners and members of the cultural sector please email: culturalcompact@shropshire.gov.uk
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