Tag Archive for 'bcc'

Centre of The Earth at ArtsFest

Published
by
Antonio
on September 16, 2008
in Events and Workshops
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This year I was at ArtsFest with two different groups. On Saturday I was doing a workshop with Allsorts where participants made things to do with nature. On Sunday I was doing a workshop with Centre of The Earth. It was a similar workshop though focussed more on mask making and decorating the space.

I can’t wait to do it again next year, and I’m sure we’ll all do something bigger and better!

Allsorts at ArtsFest

Published
by
Antonio
on September 13, 2008
in Events and Workshops
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I’m part of a collective called Allsorts (temporary website) who are running a workshop at ArtsFest today and tomorrow. Here’s some details:

Allsorts present ‘In the Light Garden’ at Artsfest, a series of family friendly activities where participants can explore a wide range of artforms and create a feature for an enchanted garden. Come and join us in Victoria Square on Saturday 13th from 12 - 6 and Sunday 14th September from 12 - 5 and let your imagination run wild!

allsorts-flyer-213x300 Allsorts at ArtsFest

We’ll be based outside the Council House.

Thanks and praise to Flying Start

Published
by
Antonio
on June 8, 2008
in Courses
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Last week myself and others were invited to talk to someone from Ofsted about the Flying Start course. For those who don’t already know what it is, here’s the blurb:

An accredited training scheme for artists – working in any art form – who want to gain workshop planning and delivery skills and experience of community arts and participatory arts work.

The inspector was very clear to note that whilst she was from Ofested that this wasn’t actually an inspection. In the five years the course had been running it was identified as an example of good practice* and she was here to get feedback for their website from people who were on the course.

Overall it was really great to talk to her, but I think the general consensus is that it’s a crime that this course wont be carrying on as there is nothing quite like it anywhere else. Sure, you could attend the MA in Community Arts at Staffs Uni, but there’s only so much studying you can do before being thrown into the workshop delivery world. In the three months of the course you really do learn not only how to deliver a workshop, but also a bit about finance, networking, project planning and self promotion, which is something I feel university doesn’t cover enough.

The course is obviously needed, so if anyone from Birmingham City Council is reading this, sort it out and get Flying Start back!

*I may have got the actual terminology wrong, but you get the idea.

Flying Start

Published
by
Antonio
on February 2, 2008
in Courses
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Flying Start

Here’s a image from a workshop I delivered as part of a group on the topic of Culture in relation to Birmingham. It was a big project, so we decided to collaborate online, which proved very useful!

Flying Start is now over and, due to a lack of funding, looks like it will completely end after five years :( It’s a real shame that funding has affected what is quite an essential course for budding community artists. The only other one I’ve seen is one at Staffordshire University but, unlike Flying Start, you have to pay for it.

The course has been of great benefit to me! Prior to it I had just graduated and had only done a bit of work in schools thanks to the Student Associates Scheme. Thanks to the course I now feel a lot more prepared to work in schools and the community on small and big projects! Check out more information on my workshops here.

Also, for all you budding workshops deliverers, here’s a useful pdf booklet about delivering workshops