Arts Activities Commissioning
In 2013-14 we are inviting proposals for activities which contribute to the following objectives:
- Providing opportunities for Birmingham residents to participate in high quality arts activities in local neighbourhoods
- Providing opportunities for improving Birmingham’s reputation as a visitor destinationand strengthening international partnerships, trade & investment
- Provide opportunities for children and young people to develop their creativity, skills, knowledge and understanding of the arts under our Creative Future framework
In order to meet these objectives, we are offering grant funding to arts projects under three schemes:
- Culture on Your Doorstep (COYD) – for activities in local neighbourhoods – see appendix 1 for more information about these
- Great International City (GIC) – for activities which improve Birmingham’s reputation as a visitor destination and strengthen international partnerships, trade & investment
- Next Generation (NG) – for activities for 0-19s in Birmingham (or up to age 24 for those with a physical or learning disability)
Applying for Arts Activity Commissioning
To apply for a grant, you will need to carefully read the information in the 2013-14 Arts Commissioning Prospectus and complete the Arts Commissioning application form, proposal and budget.
We strongly advise that you contact us before you apply to discuss your proposed project.
We also recommend that you arrange an advice surgery with a Culture Officer to discus your proposal, particularly if you have not had a grant from us before.
The application process for Arts Activities grants follows the process outlined in BCC’s Grants Management System which was implemented in April 2011. You can find out more about the Grants Management System from the Grant Funding Toolkit which can be downloaded from www.birmingham.gov.uk/grantfunding
Previous Project Grant Awards
We have commissioned some excellent work from over the past two years. To see the summaries of what we have supported click on the attachments below:
Project Grant Summaries 2011 - 12
Project Grant Summaries 2012 - 13
Working with key partners, Be Birmingham has identified 25 priority neighbourhoods and six neighbourhood clusters as the focus of the neighbourhoods programme which involves local agencies working together with communities to join up services and improve outcomes at a neighbourhood level.
This involved a mapping exercise to highlight Super Output Areas falling within the worst 5% nationally for multiple deprivation. These were then grouped together to form neighbourhoods of a population up to 15,000. The formation of clearly defined neighbourhoods is an enabling catalyst for the delivery of successful neighbourhood management.
For further information or advice about Priority Neighbourhoods contact Richard Browne, Partnership Manager, T: 0121 303 0050, E: richard.browne@birmingham.gov.uk
Priority Neighbourhood profile information is also available on the Be Birmingham Website, to find out if a postcode is in a Priority Neighbourhood use the Find a Postcode? tool at the top of the Be Birmingham Local Website.
Social Cohesion in Birmingham
Tackling inequality and deprivation and promoting social cohesion is a key priority of the city council and its partners. During 2012, the city's strategic partnership commissioned a project to explore the causes of social exclusion in Birmingham and to understand what works in tackling it. The process, known as Giving Hope Changing Lives, has led to the release of the White Paper, Making Birmingham an Inclusive City, which was accepted and adopted by the city council in January 2013.
The White Paper includes specific references to culture and the arts as a means of bringing communities together. We are interested to know how your proposal will support the recommendations of Making Birmingham an Inclusive City. More information about the recommendations will be available when the paper is published. Please contact the team by email on fairbrum@birmingham.gov.uk or visit www.fairbrum.wordpress.com to find out more.
Birmingham City Council Culture Commissioning Service manages this commissioning process and can be contacted Monday-Friday 10am to 4pm. T: 0121 303 2434, E:arts.team@birmingham.gov.uk,www.birmingham.gov.uk/arts