Three Counties Short Story competition

^{New! 23.12.08}  
    Keele University is launching a Three Counties Short Story competition, open to authors from Staffordshire, Cheshire and Shropshire
Write a short story of up to 2,500 words (prize £300) or ‘micro-stories’ of up to 250 words. There is also a School prize and a
Student prize. The judges are writers Kate Long and Jim Sheard, and Professors Ian Bell and Scott McCracken of Keele University.
Full details of the Keele Short Story competitions, the rules and how to enter are available online.
Deadline: 14th February 09, with prizes announced in April 09.

Designer Maker West Midlands event

New! 07.12.08 Designer Maker West Midlands is to hold a ‘Finding out about Funding” day on 15th January 09…

“The day will consist of presentations from experts and the opportunity for makers to discuss their funding ideas and ask questions in small informal discussions groups. Booking is essential.”

The Shire Hall Gallery – calls for artists

New! 12.12.08 Staffordshire Arts & Museum Service and The Shire Hall Gallery are calling for work from… “craft makers in all disciplines for work on the theme of Nursery Rhymes, for an exhibition in September 2009. Limited commissions available (subject to funding). The exhibition will be aimed at introducing contemporary crafts to those aged under 5 years old.” Please send images, C.V. and artist’s statement by email/disc to: Kim Gould, Gallery & Exhibition Development Officer, Shire Hall Gallery, Market Square, Stafford. ST16 2LD. Deadline: 27 February 09. For more information contact: kim.gould _at_ staffordshire.gov.uk

New! 12.12.08 Staffordshire Arts & Museum Service and The Shire Hall Gallery are calling for work from… “all contemporary crafts people who create work based on the broad theme of Staffordshire. You could use maps, be a ceramicist inspired by the history of the potteries, use materials collected on Cannock Chase or just be inspired by the various landscapes within the County – however you interpret your feelings towards Staffordshire, we would like to hear from you. Applications are welcome from people who don’t live in Staffordshire.” To apply: send up to six images, C.V. and artist’s statement to: Lyndsey Catchpole, Exhibitions Co-ordinator Shire Hall Gallery, Stafford, Staffordshire, ST16 2LD. Deadline for submissions: 31st January 09. For more information contact Lyndsey Catchpole: lyndsey.catchpole _at_ staffordshire.gov.uk

New! 12.12.08 Staffordshire Arts & Museum Service and The Shire Hall Gallery are calling for art on the theme of the 1950s, that draws inspiration from the 1950s, be it… “life in the 1950s, design elements or popular culture”, for a 2009 group exhibition at the Shire Hall Gallery. Deadline for submissions: 28th February 09. For more information contact Lyndsey Catchpole: lyndsey.catchpole _at_ staffordshire.gov.uk

Small grants available

New! 14.12.08 £500 training grants are on offer from the Learning and Skills Council. The “Train To Gain” scheme is aimed at senior managers in firms, who wish to boost their skills via one-to-one training and mentoring. Interested? Call Fred Bentley on: 0845 1131234.

Creative Partnerships Stoke-on-Trent commissions

New! 22.12.08

Jobs: Creative Partnerships Stoke-on-Trent is seeking creatives for the following new projects:

1). Our Lady’s Primary School, in Stoke-on-Trent, is seeking creative practitioners in: i) New Media (£8000); ii) Site Specific work (£5000); and they also need iii) An Astronaut (£1000 plus travel and accommodation for one-day visit). The school will use the building of a new glass ‘outside classroom’ in the school grounds to explore the idea of ‘a journey of discovery’ in ‘Space and the Universe’ — with special focus on discovering ways of adapting, utilizing and working within new and unknown spaces.

2). Heathfield Special School in Chell Heath, Stoke-on-Trent, is seeking a dynamic creative partner to help develop a thematic approach to cross-curricular learning in Key Stages 3 & 4, using a multi sensory approach.

3). Hollywall Primary School, in Stoke-on-Trent, are seeking a creative multimedia partner who can work in film, photography and radio. There is a budget of £2000, and a deadline for application of 13th January 09. The school is also seeking someone to… “plan, assess, evidence and evaluate young people’s creative development”, as a separate commission. More information and details of both commissions can be had directly from Si Waite at sisounds _at_ tiscali.co.uk

Keele University Three Counties Open Photography event

New! 22.12.08 The Keele University Three Counties Open Photography event (opens 26th Feb 09) now has the entry form online (PDF, 225kb). Prize money is £950 in 2009, spread across a variety of prizes. Framed prints only (no online pre-selection process), delivered to Keele University Art Gallery.

Creative Partnerships Stoke-on-Trent

New! 07.12.08 Job: Creative Partnerships Stoke-on-Trent is seeking creatives for an opportunity at the Glebe Primary School in Fenton, Stoke-on-Trent. The Glebe is offering a project (PDF link) titled As Speaking Sunflowers, for which they want to partner with any creative partner who is experienced in working with stories. The school wants to…

“harness children’s love of and enjoyment of stories, as a central theme to promote aspects of emotional communication.”

Finding out about Funding

New! 07.12.08 Designer Maker West Midlands is to hold a ‘Finding out about Funding” day on 15th January 09…

“The day will consist of presentations from experts and the opportunity for makers to discuss their funding ideas and ask questions in small informal discussions groups. Booking is essential.”

Call for artists 1

New! 12.12.08 Staffordshire Arts & Museum Service and The Shire Hall Gallery are calling for art on the theme of the 1950s, that draws inspiration from the 1950s, be it… “life in the 1950s, design elements or popular culture”, for a 2009 group exhibition at the Shire Hall Gallery. Deadline for submissions: 28th February 09. For more information contact Lyndsey Catchpole: lyndsey.catchpole _at_ staffordshire.gov.uk

Call for artists 2

New! 12.12.08 Staffordshire Arts & Museum Service and The Shire Hall Gallery are calling for work from… “all contemporary crafts people who create work based on the broad theme of Staffordshire. You could use maps, be a ceramicist inspired by the history of the potteries, use materials collected on Cannock Chase or just be inspired by the various landscapes within the County – however you interpret your feelings towards Staffordshire, we would like to hear from you. Applications are welcome from people who don’t live in Staffordshire.” To apply: send up to six images, C.V. and artist’s statement to: Lyndsey Catchpole, Exhibitions Co-ordinator Shire Hall Gallery, Stafford, Staffordshire, ST16 2LD. Deadline for submissions: 31st January 09. For more information contact Lyndsey Catchpole: lyndsey.catchpole _at_ staffordshire.gov.uk