During 2024 we’ve been busy building on CBC’s community and creative relationships across Walsall with a series of collaborative projects, pop-ups, opportunities, commissions and partnerships that we hope will redefine local places, instilling local pride and creating a sense of cultural confidence.
Temporary Public Art
Commissions with locally-based creatives; Queenie Garland (work picture left) Daya Bhatti (work pictured centre), Francis Xavier (work pictured right) who produced a series of temporary place-based interventions to spark imagination and start conversations. The works popped up at The Saddlers Centre in November and December 24. See more here.
Produced and managed by CBC on behalf of Walsall Council.
Small Grant Commissions of £1k-5k
Supporting community events and creating moments of magic and a buzz in the town, the small grant commissions were designed to bring people together and create something memorable for residents. Creative Black Country collaborated with One Walsall as part of their Walsall Makes programme. Through this collaboration we made Small Community Cultural Grants of £1k to £5k available to support brand new community cultural and creative activity in Walsall Borough.
With One Walsall - project managed by CBC.
Here are the successful projects:
Kuzivana by Afrikan Fusion
Activities took place over 6 weeks in the form of hands-on workshops culminating in live performances. Participants played authentic traditional instruments and took part in sing songs in different languages. Through the ubiquity of music, common aspects were covered and explored allowing an atmosphere that was conducive to free-flowing conversations, interactions and connections. See our gallery of images here.
From Concept to Creation by Black Diamond Creations
10-week Prosthetics and SFX Workshop for the Drama and media students from Walsall College culminating in a community production that showcases the skills participants have learned.
Walsall Wonderland by Bostin Creatives
An inclusive day of free festivities and activities for the whole family at the Walsall Hub including: Drop in Crafts, Christmas card Corner, Live music, Festive storytelling and games and a Christmas performance. See our gallery of images from the event here.
The Hidden hands of Walsall by Tereza Buskova
The project engaged with a group of women from diverse and often migrant backgrounds living in Walsall who regularly meet at Aaina Community Hub but do not regularly engage in arts and culture. During a series of workshops and using a variety of creative techniques they designed a headdress that reflected their experiences / culture. This was worn in a procession through Walsall. See our gallery of images from the procession here and a video here.
Butts Lantern Festival by Walsall Creative Factory
Delivery of a lantern trail representing local history and local diversity. 6 drop-in Sunday workshops were offered to create individual and giant feature lanterns for a Lantern Festival trail around The Butts on Sunday 8th December. See our gallery of images from the event here.
Winter Warmer Climate Café, Creativity for Wellbeing by Hannah Picken and Lisa Koc
Hannah and Lisa hosted 5 creative workshops throughout November and December focussing on hand sewing and making items to combat the cold weather. See our gallery of images here.
Walsall MakerFest
Supporting the Maker Fest with a storytelling event and pop-up Digital Creator workshop that took place on the 7th September, 2024.
Walsall MakerFest was being delivered by Walsall Council in partnership with local non-profit Urban Hax CIC, The New Art Gallery Walsall and Walsall Cultural Compact.
Making Our Mark
A new 3-year strand of work funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund to support new, community heritage projects in Walsall that will include a number of grant opportunities for artists and community groups to apply for that celebrates Walsall's diverse heritage. More details here.
Artist Residency
A new partnership between Walsall Housing Group (whg) and Creative Black Country (CBC) presents a unique Artist in Residency. Details here.
