Forest Arts Music Hub

News from December 2020

All week at Arts Connect, we’ve been watching @BBCTheOneShow to find out if ‪@EchoEternal112 has won GOLD in the ‪@TeachingAwards. They already have SILVER but ‪@COREeducate and partners (who include Coventry’s LCEP Vice Chair’s - Sarah Worth of Highly Sprung). In true physical theatre style we’re crossing fingers,  toes, legs and arms - everything in fact (!).. that the project gets the reward it deserves. If you would like to see some of Highly Sprung’s excellent work there’s some tasters on their website ..https://www.highlysprungperformance.co.uk/ and a great ‘dancing lecture’ that will help you understand what COVID 19/ Corona Virus is and how we can protect ourselves against it.
 
Please see below the LCEP Weekly Update, this is not an exhaustive list but will hopefully be useful. Please feel free to share across your LCEP network and to anyone that you feel would be interested, 
Happy weekend!!
 
Clare
 
If you have articles or information you’d like to share please send to: Clare.Mitchell@wlv.ac.uk marked LCEP WEEKLY BULLETIN – CONTRIBUTION in the subject line 
 
Want to know more about Arts Connect?  https://www.artsconnect.co.uk/about-us/
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Funding Information & Advice

UK YOUTH are distributing £2 million to support small youth organisations! Available to those who have lost funding, face the threat of closure, or have reduced services supporting young people. -Find out how to apply here https://funding.ukyouth.org/ #StandWithYouth #CommunitiesCan

Arts Council England have launched the Thriving Communities Fund! Bringing together local partnerships across culture, sport, nature, health and the community sector to address the wellbeing needs of those most affected by Covid19. https://www.artscouncil.org.uk/thriving-communities-fund#section-1

Arts Fundraising have launched their Autumn/Winter season of training, with courses to help you bounce back and raise funds in today’s ever-changing landscape. Find out more and join them online:https://artsfundraising.org.uk/courses

The Gulbenkian and Kings College have announced awards relating to Covid response for publicly funded arts organisations. - https://www.kcl.ac.uk/news/award-for-civic-arts-organisations
 
ACE -#NationalLottery Project Grants is open! - New to the fund? Read the new guidance https://www.artscouncil.org.uk/national-lottery-project-grants/applying-national-lottery-project-grants-three-steps What's changed? We're focusing on supporting more individuals, to complement the investment made through government's https://www.artscouncil.org.uk/news-and-announcements/NLPG-whats-new
 
Join Together for Museums - Art Fund With new research suggesting 60% of the nation’s museums, galleries and historic houses are fearing for their futures, Art Fund has launched a £1 million crowdfunding appeal with the help of high-profile artists. This year we’ve seen how determined museums are to rethink how they work, make their venues Covid-secure and take exciting projects out into their communities, despite enormous challenges. They can only do this with continued support. Now is our opportunity to help them survive – and shape a brighter future. https://www.artfund.org/get-involved/art-happens/join-together-for-museums/donate
 
Information, Guidance & Resources  
Registrations are now open again for the Artsmark Award! At Artsmark we recognise the powerful and positive impact the arts and creativity has had in lockdown and we want to help you harness that power to support pupil and staff wellbeing. Artsmark’s flexible framework allows you to embed arts and culture across the curriculum, so you can stay committed to cultural education whatever new challenges you face. We value the importance of high-quality art education for every child and strive to improve access and inclusion within our programme so we can reach as many young people as possible regardless of background. Put creativity and wellbeing at the heart of your curriculum with Artsmark.
For schools who are already on their Artsmark journey, we have the following support sessions in the Autumn term. All of which will be delivered digitally and can be booked here
  • 2nd December 2020      3.45 – 5pm       General support session. An opportunity to ask our Artsmark Associates any questions you have about you Artsmark journey
  • 11th December 2020     3.45 – 5pm       General support session. An opportunity to ask our Artsmark Associates any questions you have about you Artsmark journey
If you require any information or help, please contact Helen Frost, Senior Programme Manager
M: 07779773188 or E: helen.frost@wlv.ac.uk
 
CPD, Webinars, Seminars & Meetings  
#DANCECONNECT – Something Good That Happened – 2020
Connecting Young People Through Dance  
On behalf of the Dance Development Leaders Group (DDLG)
Join DanceXchange (Producer) and Orit Azaz (Independent Artistic Facilitator), who will be representing the DDLG, for an exciting information session about the audacious, ambitious dance participation initiatives taking place across the West Midlands and the opportunities to get involved in 2021. You will get the chance to:
  • Learn about the innovative #DanceConnect creative research project that took place from May- July 2020 exploring potential for dance and digital collaboration between young people during lockdown
  • Share your experiences of ‘Something Good that Happened 2020’ in terms of youth participation
  • Find out more about DDLG ambitions for youth dance in the West Midlands 2021-2024, including as part of Birmingham2022 Commonwealth Games
  • Discuss ways to get involved in #DanceConnect – Beyond Borders January to July 2021
The event will take place on Wednesday 20 January 2021 from 4-5pm on ZOOM
This event is for dance leaders, dance educators, PE teachers leading dance and anyone who works with young people who may be interested in a dance participation experience.
 
Local Cultural Education Partnerships and Libraries: A partnership webinar 10th December 2020, 1.30-3pm - Working together, we can maximise resources and enhance the wellbeing of children and young people. In this webinar which will be opened by Dr Darren Henley OBE, we’ll be sharing great examples of partnership working  and explore together how we can grow links between libraries and LCEPs across the country  -open to all, booking below https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/local-cultural-education-partnerships-and-libraries-a-partnership-webinar-tickets-129479585927
 At this event we aim to
  • share brilliant partnership practice between LCEPS and libraries.
  • understand the key role of Libraries and LCEPs in developing a sense of Place.
  • share ideas for building and extending our strategic partnerships.  
  • explore how can we work together to adapt effectively to new ways of working
  • consider how working together, we can add value to the local, cultural offer to enhance the wellbeing of children and young people
Join our cross bridge gathering and hear some local voices (Libraries chairing the LCEP - Annabel Gittins: Shropshire Libraries and Cannock Chase Cultural Education Partnership - Kerry Hutchings and Sue Ball Staffordshire Libraries) as well as from further afield...
 
Welcome Back to the Gallery! - A virtual meeting for secondary art and design teachers and arts and cultural organisations Tuesday 8th December at 4.15 – 5.45pm on Zoom. In times when off site visits are limited by local and national lockdowns, how can teachers engage remotely with museums and galleries? How can we continue to inspire students studying art and design?Join Flora Kay from the Barber Institute of Fine Arts and Kerry Hawkes of Ikon Gallery for a presentation and practical session.   Each gallery will give examples of how you may engage with their collections and temporary exhibitions remotely. Please email alison.haynes@bep.education to book your place tel - 07801882959
 
Engage @engagevisualart Learning and education mid-career professional looking for leadership CPD? Look no further- Extend Leadership Programme will run Jan- March 2021. Apply now! 
 
Artslink Webinar Series for artists working with care experienced children & young people in the West Midlands. TRAUMA-INFORMED PRACTICE with Emily Foulkes,  Wednesday 9 December, 5-7pm, Zoom. An interactive session introducing the theory and neuroscience behind our understanding of the impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) on children & young people in the care system. Register free of charge:https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/artslink-webinar-series-trauma-informed-practice-tickets-129467329267 (Joining instructions sent 1 hour before the webinar commences)
 
Storytelling as a Teaching Tool Thursday 3rd December at 4.15 – 5.45pm on Zoom A virtual meeting for primary arts teachers and arts and cultural organisations.  Once upon a time in a land where teachers used storytelling to captivate and inspire children, learning across the curriculum became especially exciting. This session will explore how storytelling can engage children in their learning and how teachers can become classroom storytellers. Led by Juliet Fry, Juliet is Artistic Director of The PlayHouse Theatre in Education Company.  She has over 20 years’ experience of creating and delivering high quality programmes for schools.Please email alison.haynes@bep.education  to book your place
 
ARTS MARKETING FESTIVAL 1st — 2nd Dec 2020 AMA Members get free Festival Tickets! But if you’re not an AMA Member, you don’t have to miss out on the fun…https://www.artsmarketingfestival.co.uk/session-sets/
 
English Symphony Orchestra The Art of Storytelling - 'The Ugly Duckling' by Kenneth Woods. Hugh Bonneville – Narrator Released on ESO Digital - Friday 27th November 18:00 GMT (for 72 hours) athttps://www.eso.co.uk/ugly-duckling/
 
MACMAKESMUSIC are thrilled to be launching the West Midlands Inclusive Choir in partnership with the amazing @SoundaboutUK ! Taster Session: Sat 12 Dec at 11am on Zoom. The choir will then meet online and sing together every other Saturday. Sign up here: https://www.soundabout.org.uk/inclusive-choir-west-midlands/
 
CALL FOR ARTISTS/ARTS ORGANISATIONS with Fashion and textiles specialisms. -
Arts Ambassador Schools’ Network Commission - £7,500
Deadline: 30th November 2020 (no later than 12.00 noon)
We are looking for artist/s or an arts organisation to work with two primary schools and three secondary schools across Telford, all members of the Community Academies Trust (CAT), to deliver a programme of high-quality fashion workshops focusing on eco-fashion and ‘upcycling’. 
 
1-2-3 Let’s Go! City Secrets -Do you like playing games? Can you help us? Secret City Artswww.secretcityarts.com is making an exciting time-travelling story game that will get you hunting for clues and looking with new eyes at the place you live. If you are aged 8-12yrs in Warwickshire, Birmingham or Burton-on-Trent, we need your ideas to design adventures that will get people hooked into the story. Join us for a fun story game-design workshop online by Zoom at 3pm Sat 5th Dec – with the chance to meet John Sear, real-life game designer! Places free but limited so book your ticket here! www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1-2-3-lets-go-city-secrets-tickets-128840753161?aff=ebdssbonlinesearch
 
Nominate a charity to receive a festive financial boost- Ecclesiastical Insurance is giving £120,000 to good causes as part of its annual 12 days of giving Christmas campaign. Ecclesiastical is inviting people to nominate a registered charity close to their hearts to benefit from this festive financial boost. It’s quick and easy to nominate a charity online. Nominations are open from 9 November to 21 December and you can vote for your favourite charity at www.movementforgood.com/12days
 
Creative programmes for young people aged 16 to 25, @multistory and @sandwellcouncil have partnered with @weDontSettle to deliver two creative programmes for young people aged 16 to 25, based in the Black Country. The programmes will centre around Wednesbury Museum and Art Gallery (WMAG), running from January to August 2021. They will train and empower you to rethink the stories of local heritage, help you to grow professionally, gain knowledge and get the necessary experience to help build your CV when looking for employment. The result of your work will then culminate into a festival that you will produce. Sign up here:https://bit.ly/2KbsxmW
 
Birmingham Hippodrome are delighted that – with support from Birmingham City Council’s Cultural Diversity Fund – They are offering 3 paid roles within the Festivals, Learning and Programming teams from January to April 2021. The positions are structured as experiences that enable learning, development and growth, supported by a senior leader as a mentor. They are looking for people with some experience in assisting with project or event management, co-ordination or producing, who are passionate about contemporary performing arts (of any form) and excited about connecting with communities and young people. These roles have been explicitly created in response to underrepresentation within the arts and culture workforce, and form part of Birmingham Hippodrome’s plans to become a more equitable organisation. In line with the criteria of the funding which supports these positions - these roles are only open to people aged 18+ of Arab, Black, East Asian, South East Asian or other minority ethnic heritage, living in Birmingham. For more information https://recruitment.birminghamhippodrome.com/displayjob.aspx?jobid=171 The Deadline is Tuesday 8 December, 12 noon
 
Wolverhampton Literary Festival are seeking young writers! - In collaboration with the Library Services and with Gowrite UK, this year Wolverhampton Literature Festival are hosting a Flash Fiction Competition for young people living in a WV postcode. This competition looks to encourage Young People to engage with literacy and develop their creative writing skills. Participants are being asked to write a story in 500 words or less. This is a Wolverhampton wide competition and winners from each age category will win cash vouchers and also the chance to have their stories recorded as an audio book. Additionally, we will also be creating a printed anthology of all shortlisted entries to share across Wolverhampton. Young people and their parents are welcome to register themselves for the competition using the following link: http://bit.ly/3jhehVP . Deadline 2nd Dec 2020  If you are interested in registering your school, year group or a class to participate in this competition then please do get in touch with myself or goapps@squirrellearning.co.uk, who will be able to help you in doing this.
  
Health & Wellbeing
Artslink Webinar Series for artists working with care experienced children & young people in the West Midlands. Open to any artists or arts organisations, but particularly valuable for those new to working with care experienced C&YP, plus other professionals working with or within the care system
TRAUMA-INFORMED PRACTICE with Emily Foulkes, Wednesday 9 December, 5-7pm, Zoom
An interactive session introducing the theory and neuroscience behind our understanding of
the impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) on children & young people in the care
system. The session includes:
• Introduction to trauma and impact of ACEs (on brain and body)
• Polyvagal Theory and how this can help us to understand responses and behaviours
• Attachment Disorder and how this can help us to understand responses and behaviours
• Research and evidence about the arts and how they can promote mental health and wellbeing
• Trauma-Informed principles (working with Panksepp’s Affective Neuroscience and the
PACE model from Dan Hughes) – applying theory to practice
Register free of charge: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/artslink-webinar-series-trauma-informed-practice-tickets-129467329267 (Joining instructions sent 1 hour before the webinar commences)
N.B. if you can’t make it and would like access a recording of the session please email us at artslinkwm@gmail.com
 
Creative Practitioner - Art Gallery Opportunity Creative Practitioner wanted for wellbeing sessions – Worcester City Art Gallery and Museum. To find out more and download the brief, please visit the linkhttps://www.museumsworcestershire.org.uk/2020/10/12/museums-worcestershire-receives-lifeline-grant/
 
Diversity & Social Justice
Save your stamps for RNIB Don't throw away the stamps from the cards and parcels you receive this Christmas! We can turn them into funds for our work supporting blind and partially sighted people. Request your pre-paid collection envelopes or boxes: Save your stamps for RNIB - RNIB - See differently OR got the extra mile and why not design and build your own inclusive collection boxes and collect for a good cause? (then you only need to order the prepaid envelopes) A good opportunity to talk about RNIB and ‘see differently’ and make your creative Christmas more inclusive !
 
MACMAKESMUSIC are thrilled to be launching the West Midlands Inclusive Choir in partnership with the amazing @SoundaboutUK ! Taster Session: Sat 12 Dec at 11am on Zoom. The choir will then meet online and sing together every other Saturday. Sign up here: https://www.soundabout.org.uk/inclusive-choir-west-midlands/
 
Barnardo’s helpful advice to support you to talk about white privilege…  by looking at how our own actions maintain and support racist systems and structures - regardless of our intent. They are sharing some actions that parents and carers can take to help create a fairer society. #WednesdayWisdom  https://www.barnardos.org.uk/blog/white-privilege-guide-for-parents?utm_source=twitter&utm_campaign=always_on&utm_medium=organic&utm_content=white_privilege_1111
 
From around the UK!
SAY THANK YOU TO AN AMAZING TEACHER!  Send a free e-card through the National Thank A Teacher scheme. Anyone can send a card all year round. The Thank a Teacher campaign recognises ALL staff working in UK schools and colleges; school leaders, teachers, teaching assistants, and all support staff such as lunchtime supervisors, caretakers and cleaners. If you’re feeling shy you can send a card anonymously! Click here Thank a Teacher Form | Thank a Teacher

Arts News