Working with: Black Country Chamber of Commerce
CBC invite our Funny Things commissioned performers Stan & Ollie to the Business Festival in 2019
While Creative Black Country exists to get low arts-engaged people involved in creativity we also value the business of culture. The local cultural economy employs thousands of creatives and practitioners across the region and brings in millions of pounds to the local economy through visitor spend. So of course it is important that we get the chance to meet with, speak about and be part of the local business economy too.
The Black Country Chamber of Commerce (a not-for-profit which supports businesses across the area) currently have 12,000 members across a broad spectrum of business.
In 2017 the Chamber set up the Black Country Business Festival, a showcase of the range of businesses that proudly make up the Black Country. The now, annual event promotes the area’s investment potential and enables the local business community to collaborate and share best practice. As the CBC team announces our next events for the festival it seems timely to look back at our relationship with the Chamber.
The Chamber’s Chief Executive Corin Crane is interested how culture has an impact on business; in his words, “Culture is the glue that keeps our community together”. And believes culture is a good way of bringing pride into the local area.
The Business Festival, has been split into three sections: commerce, innovation and culture. 30% of attendees are from outside the area, and the Festival wanted to ensure the identity, uniqueness and creativity of the area was on show.
In 2019 Director of Operations and Development at Creative Black Country, Sajida Carr, sat on the Business Festival’s Steering Group and also brought in involvement from Arts Council England.
Corin states that Sajida brought fantastic knowledge to the table, and that they would like to work with them further on future projects. “It felt like a meaningful partnership. It brought links to the artistic community we wouldn’t have usually had.”
Corin first experienced Creative Black Country’s work when he was invited to the 100 Masters project in 2017, a showcase of local talent, and in his own words, “Loved it.” Corin believes CBC is a fantastic resource for creatives, just as the Chamber is for business. He understands and believes creative minds are very valuable in business.
“We need creative thinkers, creative problem solvers in our businesses, in every part of our economy.”
He also understands the importance of Creative Black Country on shining a light on the area’s unique character, and how it importantly reflects the people of the area.
He believes more needs to be done to get businesses and creatives working together. With new opportunities for collaborations opening up across the area, such as at the Midland Metropolitan Hospital being build in Smethwick; he isn’t short of ideas of how this can happen in the Black Country.
CBC at Black Country Business Festival 2020 - via ZOOM
The Business Festival should have been long gone by now but as we know 2020 is a very different year so like most events planned it has been moved to an online platform - and as usual CBC have 3 great events to add to the event.
6th October, 10.30am-12pm
Digitising Disability with disabled creative entrepreneur and speaker Zoe Partington
An interactive event about our changing landscape and understanding the value of using digital tools to ensure accessibility and inclusion is an integral part of your strategy.
7th October, 10.30am-12pm
Let’s Create – Funding and Project Support for Black Country Creative Projects.
An introduction into Arts Council England's Project Grants.
8th October, 10.30am-12pm
The Black Country Funding Network for Arts and Culture – partnership funding session
For individuals, groups or organisations who are interested in finding out more about working in partnership to fundraise for creative work/activity in the Black Country.
Booking via Eventbrite - links coming soon