Creative Stoke news update, 20th June 2013

20.06.13   
The Prince’s Initiative for Mature Enterprise (PRIME) is holding a Introduction to Self-Employment one-day workshop in Stoke-on-Trent on 26th June, specifically for the over 50s who are thinking of starting a new business. Practical advice and mentoring will be on offer at this introductory event. Interested? See the event Web page for full details.

20.06.13   
Two free creative writing workshops are on offer with historian and creative writer Dave Reeves on Saturday 29th June and 20th July 2013 (10am-4pm) at Burslem School of Art in Stoke-on-Trent. This is part of ‘And the Doctor Said…’ project, a creative research project about health care and local history. Total beginners and more experienced writers welcome. Please contact Jackie Reynolds for more details or to book your place:  j.reynolds@staffs.ac.uk

20.06.13   
An update on the summer art & design graduation exhibitions. Newcastle-under-Lyme College (NULC) now has dates for the annual end-of-year exhibition, which runs from Saturday 22nd June to Friday 28th June. The exhibition encompasses all creative subjects from the Colleges Faculty of Art, Media and Design including fashion, film, painting, ceramics, graphic design, media, music technology, photography and textiles:

  Saturday 22nd June, 10.00am – 1.00pm
  Monday 24th June, 10.00am – 8.00pm
  Tuesday 25th June, 10.00am – 8.00pm
  Wednesday 26th June, 10.00am – 8.00pm
  Thursday 27th June, 10.00am – 8.00pm
  Friday 28th June, 10.00am – 4.00pm

You can also enjoy the M.A. Contemporary Arts final showcase at MMU’s Axis Arts Centre, Crewe. Their “PRAXIS” show is at the OpenSpace at Axis, on Friday 21st June 2013 (10am-5pm). Free.

20.06.13   
The Animation Forum West Midlands is the regional network for animators and they now require a new manager. Application deadline: 15th July 2013.

20.06.13   
Tatton Park (ten miles north of Stoke-on-Trent) is recruiting a team of unpaid Research Volunteers (up to 15 people in total) to assist and support a new archival assignment called Memorymaker, made up of three key projects: 1) Paint and Provenance: Investigating the origin behind some of the paintings in Tatton’s extensive art collection; 2) Oral History Archive: Discovering new memories, stories & experiences to extend and build upon Tatton Park’s current archives and resources; 3) Finding connections between the local waterways, Tatton Park, post-industrialisation and contemporary art. Deadline 30th August 2013. Full details at the Web page.

20.06.13   
Treasure Plus is a new funding programme from the ArtFund, to help museums “of all sizes” deepen public engagement with items officially labelled ‘treasure’, and other notable archaeological material. Funding of between £2,000 and £10,000 is available for display and interpretation projects. See the Web page for full details, or pop along the the fund launch at Manchester City Museum on 27th June 2013 (11am – 12 noon).

20.06.13   
The New Vic Theatre in Newcastle-under-Lyme is seeking young performers for The Hundred and One Dalmatians. Interested? You must be from age six up to being age 14 and in Year 9 at school. The first step is to attend auditions on Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd June 2013. These lead through to places on a £75 Summer School on 27th-31st August, which has 30 places available. Successful performers will work with a professional cast and perform in The Hundred and One Dalmatians from Saturday November 23rd 2013 to Saturday 1st February 2014. If you would like to request the audition application form please telephone Katharine Boon on 01782 717954 or download one from www.newvictheatre.org.uk.

20.06.13   
The Arts & Business organisation is looking for local businesses to put their young high-flyers forward to take part in a ‘Young Professionals on Arts Boards’ programme. This will enable young business professionals age 18 to 30 to join the boards of leading arts and culture organisations. The deadline to apply is 28th June 2013. To find out more about the programme contact Rachel Pyke at:  rachel.pyke@artsandbusiness.org.uk

20.06.13   
The Jerwood Choreographic Research Project is now inviting research proposals that involve new thinking in choreography. The Project is an innovative new investment model for open-ended research in choreographic practice across all artforms. An investment pot of over £120,000 is available to be shared among projects. Deadline: 29th July 2013.

20.06.13   
ReStoke is running monthly contemporary dance workshops in Stoke-on-Trent…

20.06.13   
If you get creative with leather, latex and tattoos then there’s a special .alt fashion and crafts event for you in Stoke-on-Trent in August 2013…

20.06.13   
Added to the Directory: Eternal Iris Film and Photography, based in Stoke-on-Trent.

20.06.13   
Robin Wood is running bowl carving and spoon carving short courses in the nearby Peak District in November. Details at the Web page.

20.06.13   
Art in the Park (and on the Railings) in nearby Buxton requires selling artists on 6th – 7th July 2013 (11am-4pm) on Broad Walk in the Pavilion Gardens, Buxton. Pitches cost £10 for the whole weekend. Interested? Contact Suzanne at:  suzannepearson.art@gmail.com

20.06.13   
The Midlands Arts Centre in Edgbaston, Birmingham, is hosting an Early Years Music Conference on 28th June 2013, an event for anyone in the Midlands who has an interest in creative learning and music making with young children.

20.06.13   
The nearby town of Shrewsbury has announced its Open Studios dates: 6th-7th and 13th-14th July 2013 is when Shrewsbury-based artists and designer-makers open their studio doors to the public.

Creative Stoke news update, 13th June 2013

13.06.13   
Stoke-on-Trent City Council has created a new fund to support community events. £30,000 is being made available for local groups to create and put on a range of arts events and cultural activities. Groups or individuals can receive up to £1,500. More money is available if the event is of a particular benefit to key audiences in the city. A fund panel will meet to review applications, and deadlines to apply fall on 17th June and 20th September 2013. Details and application forms here or email: rachel.james@stoke.gov.uk

13.06.13   
Paid work:  The Making It Work consortium of five local arts organisations (B Arts, AirSpace, bITjAM, PiCL and Re:Stoke) in Stoke-on-Trent are seeking to appoint a Facilitator to co-ordinate a programme of development following their successful bid to the Arts Council’s Catalyst Arts fund. The Facilitator’s role will be to enable the partners to develop and deliver a skills development and knowledge-gathering programme — including the mapping of existing provision, looking at examples of good practice, external training, and the development of digihtal tools and approaches to support greater private sector investment. They are looking for an individual/organisation with substantial experience in developing fundraising strategies, with a focus on corporate and individual giving (i.e. not public sector / Lottery / trusts’ funds). Experience in working in challenging contexts, especially outside of London, and with small organisations without big brand impact or large footfall will also be valuable. Application deadline: 5pm, 8th July 2013. For the Facilitator brief please contact the lead organisation, B Arts, at:  info@b-arts.org.uk

13.06.13   
The Arts Fundraising & Philanthropy Fellowship programme is now open for applications. Eleven… “entrepreneurial self-starter fundraisers with a passion for the arts” will benefit from a programme of practice-based support. It is supported by Opera North, the University of Leeds, Cause4, and other arts and educational organisations. The 12-month fellowships are certified by the University of Leeds. The selected fellows benefit from an in-depth experience in the development department of organisations, such as Sadlers Wells, the Sage Gateshead, Dance UK, and Liverpool Tate. Application deadline: 1st July 2013.

13.06.13   
Paid work:  The Just So Festival 2014 organisers, Wild Rumpus CIC, are now looking to… “commission three exceptional companies to create new work, to be previewed at the 2014 Just So Festival at Rode Hall, Cheshire, with the possibility to tour in 2014/2015.” The commission is worth £3,000, and the event is a young children’s creativity festival located in parkland about five miles north of Stoke-on-Trent. Application deadline: 30th June 2013. For more information about Wild Rumpus and the Just So Festival.

13.06.13   
The UK’s Start Up Loans Company was originally set up with a mandate to support 18-24 entrepreneurs. The Prime Minister, David Cameron, later increased this to 18—30, after an announcement in January 2013. Over 30s are now planned to be included by the end of summer 2013. As such The Start Up Loans scheme is inviting potential Delivery Partners to apply to support and deliver the programme to the age range of 30 and above. If you are interested in registering your interest in becoming a Delivery Partner for 30+, please contact: nicholasdear@startuploans.co.uk

13.06.13   
Fund 101 is seeking to micro-fund new UK entrepreneurs with startup ideas and who are looking to commence trading. Those who are already in business and need funding may be eligible, for instance small UK firms wishing to purchase equipment to help take their enterprise to the next level. Administered by Enterprise Nation, the programme is designed to assist those who are looking for relatively small amounts of capital support. Individual grants as small as from £50 to £500 can be requested. Fund101 winners will also receive up to $500 of Elance credit to spend on outsourced work from online freelancers. Applications will be accepted with monthly deadlines until November. The next deadline is 24th June 2013.

13.06.13   
Interested in networking with creatives in the nearby Peak District? There’s a big Creative Industries roadshow in Buxton on 26th June 2013.

13.06.13   
Kevin Sheldon is running a short-story writing workshop in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, on 20th July 2013 (12.30pm – 7.30/8.00pm). All materials and refreshments provided, suitable for all levels. Cost is £25 for a seven hour workshop.

13.06.13   
A Stoke-on-Trent graffiti jam is set to happen alongside the official opening of the Stoke-on-Trent UK Graffiti Hall-of-Fame (just north of Bradwell Wood, the farmer’s tunnel under the A500, next to the old abandoned sand workings). This event is for artists and invite only! They say “space is extremely limited” but if you contact the organisers with some samples of your work you might get an invite.

13.06.13   
Cheshire Dance is recruiting for freelance dance artists who are interested in leading/supporting dance workshops + projects, as well as in gaining performance experience. Deadline: 8th July 2013. To find out more, please contact Leanne Cardill, Creative Producer at:  leanne@cheshiredance.org

13.06.13   
The Potters Club, Stoke’s exclusive private members’ club located across from the intercity train station, is starting a…

“new 5.30pm networking club. Escape the evening rush hour! Business networking at its best. Speaker sponsorship available. Booking essential.”

The first club event will be on Wednesday 25th September 2013 (from 5.30pm – 7.30pm, cost £15).

13.06.13   
Award-winning photojournalist and university lecturer Martin Elliott, in conjunction with Staffordshire University M.A. Photography students Fee Wood and Yvonne Grimshaw Baker, is creating a new project entitled Sex in the Potteries. This will be exhibited in Staffordshire University from December 2013 to Easter 2014. Find out more details from the project’s new Facebook page.

13.06.13   
Sarah Armitt is looking for volunteers and artists for this year’s Kids Karnival in Etruria Park, Stoke-on-Trent, 14th and 21st July 2013. Interested? Contact the Shelton D.J. School on 07816 318676 for more information.

13.06.13   
This year’s Stone Music and Arts Festival (5th-14th July 2013) is seeking volunteers, especially for the big festival weekend on 13th-14th July 2013. Festival programmes have recently gone through doors in Stone town. Volunteers should contact the organisers via the website.

Picture: Stone Festival’s Party In The Park.

13.06.13   
PRS for Music Foundation has a new round of funding to fund your music. Beyond Borders 2013 can give funding of up to £15,000 for both new commissions and repeat performances of music written in the past five years. Deadline: 27th June 2013. They also have the Momentum Music Fund a £500,000 investment to develop the careers of talented artists and bands. Deadline: 27th June 2013.

13.06.13   
There’s a professional development opportunity down in Walsall at GalleryCamp 2013 on 9th September 2013. The whole of the New Walsall Art Gallery will host an ‘unconference’ discussing the future of public galleries, and the increasingly important role of digital in and around galleries. See the tickets bookings page for more details.

13.06.13   
Added to the Directory: Ian Weightman Media Services, based in Newcastle-under-Lyme. Ian specialises exclusively in travel, tourism and destination PR.

13.06.13   
Congratulations to local performer Owen Richard, who recently starred in a new film made at the Factory club in Stoke-on-Trent. The film will be the second in a forthcoming trilogy of contemporary art film pieces exploring sexual identities.

13.06.13    Congratulations to Potteries painter Rob Pointon who just successfully completed a Kickstarter campaign to fund a painting trip to America.

13.06.13   
Congratulations to Stoke-on-Trent crime writer Mel Sherratt, who after many years of striving now has a print and audio-book deal with Amazon’s mystery imprint Thomas and Mercer! Watch for an article by Mel in the second FactoryMag publication, along with an introductory guide to the crime fiction industry.

13.06.13   
Funding from the National Lottery can be applied for to commemorate next year’s centenary of the First World War. The funding scheme is titled The First World War: Then and Now. A variety of community heritage projects will be eligible. £3,000 to £10,000 is available. The Lottery is seeking to fund not-for-profit organisations, and partnerships led by not-for-profit organisations.

13.06.13   
The Midlands Arts Centre in Edgbaston, Birmingham, is hosting an Early Years Music Conference on 28th June 2013, an event for anyone in the Midlands who has an interest in creative learning and music making with young children.

13.06.13   
Paid work: Education Central are looking to recruit a full-time director for Arts Connect West Midlands, based at the Science Park in Wolverhampton (within easy walking distance of the train station).

13.06.13   
Creative Stoke has a preview selection of some of the works shown in the huge Show & Tell art & design graduation shows and pop-up comics shop at Staffordshire University 2013. On now at the Stoke campus, until 15th June 2013. Free. Stoke’s Prototype magazine also has a photo review. Also of note is local Photography graduate Mark Wilbrey who has an outstandingly well-designed Web portfolio, including his behind-the-scenes theatre pictures.

13.06.13   
Newcastle-under-Lyme College (NULC) has fixed a date for the unveiling of their new town centre MADE pop-up shop in the Lancaster building, showing the best work from their 2013 graduates. To take place in the Guild Hall Square and the shop, 1pm-5pm on Saturday 29th June 2013. Including live music and fashion show.

13.06.13   
Advance news:  a new £4m Jobs and Growth Fund Programme is being set up as a local arm of the government’s Regional Growth Fund scheme. The Jobs and Growth Fund will be aimed at small and medium firms in North Staffordshire which need funding for premises or equipment that supports new jobs. The Fund is recruiting staff now, and Creative Stoke will bring readers a Web link for the application process when the Fund is officially open.

13.06.13   
News just in: Mailout magazine is reporting that the DCMS has released an official statement that Crafts will continue to be part of the official UK government definition of the creative industries.

Staffordshire University Art & Design graduation shows June 2013

Here’s Creative Stoke’s personal pick of the Show & Tell art & design graduation shows at Staffordshire University 2013. On now at the Stoke campus, until 15th June 2013. Free.

B.A. (Hons.) Fine Art: Birmingham’s Jacob Skeldon, “Console”, a TARDIS made over several years from junk and found items. [Video]

B.A. (Hons.) Fine Art: Barbara Witkowska‘s “Untitled” (2013), one of a series that evokes Chris Foss painting a weird Lovecraftian future in which humanity terraforms in the stratosphere of Venus…

B.A. (Hons.) Cartoon and Comics Art shop (new course, second year) in the Henrion foyer: Becci Such and Jack Baker manning the stall. Loadsacomics, and “free booze” (while supplies last!)

B.A. (Hons.) Cartoon and Comics Art shop (new course, second year): Selection of printed comics. From top left: Claire Smith; Becci Such‘s Willow; Esme Baran, Jack Baker and Tom Stephens’s Spore; Ryan Moss’s Golden Hand (bear frame from the same comic); Esme Baran.

B.A. (Hons.) Illustration: Jack Brittell, Newspaper shoes sculpture on board.

Foundation year, no name stated on display: Lamp product designs, hand-made from paper origami.

B.A. (Hons.) Illustration: No name stated on display, charred books design for Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451 (novel cover or movie remake?)

B.A. (Hons.) Textile Surfaces: Emily Ball’s booth in the Surface Pattern room.

B.A. (Hons.) Animation: Nicola Everill, final film stop-motion character.

B.A. (Hons.) Film: Stoke-on-Trent’s Natalie Cooke‘s display for her final film “Mountain Bothies”. Map and site photos board, for a film about mountain shelters (‘bothies’) in the north parts of the British Isles.

Shown in the B.A. (Hons.) Ceramics room: Carla Deeny‘s hand-made resin jewellery.

M.A. Ceramics: Neusa Basso Macleod, untitled trio of figures.

B.A. (Hons.) Product Design: Paul Joyce (Devised Designs), “Firebat concept” for a search and rescue copterbot carrying infrared cameras, temperature sensors, a location pod, and a liquids beaker.

B.A. (Hons.) Graphic Design (second year work): Julie Brock, fire extinguishers.

B.A. (Hons.) Fine Art: Kia Michelle Greengrass, untitled.

Also noted: Charlotte Elizabeth family photography project; Christopher Bethell photography; Lucas Swann design and photography “Musee du Cirque Nouveau” (no website).

Visit the vast show and see a great many more!

Creative Stoke news update, 3rd June 2013

03.06.13   
In May 2013 the British Exporters Association (BExA) republished a new fully revised edition of its popular 84-page book A Guide to Successful Exporting. This is now available free as a PDF ebook on the BExA website, and no registration is required to download it.

03.06.13   
Volunteers are needed for the forthcoming British Ceramics Biennial in Stoke-on-Trent (28th Sept – 10th Nov 2013). Needed are: an Exhibition Assistant; Marketing & Press Assistants; Front-of-House Assistants; Invigilators; and Workshop Assistants. Some roles will start in July. Ideally you will be available to cover a number of sessions per week, particularly during the Festival (each session is 4 hours). Training and induction will be provided. Reasonable travel expenses will be covered.

03.06.13   
Grow Your Own Talent is a North Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce breakfast event, at which you can hear about new traineeships and study programmes for young people, which link with their work experience and apprenticeships. The event is set for 2nd July 2013 (8.30am-10.30am) at the North Staffs Medical Institute, Hartshill Road, Hartshill, Stoke-on-Trent. Full details at the event Web page.

03.06.13   
Hanley’s AirSpace Gallery is now inviting applications for a Graduate Residency 2013-14. Application deadline: 10th June 2013. Graduating students from B.A. and M.A. courses in Fine Art are eligible to apply…

“Are you considering staying in, or moving to Stoke-on-Trent, and looking for that all important first opportunity in the art world? Then this could be for you. AirSpace is offering a fantastic opportunity to be part of an exciting and innovative artist-led space in the city of Stoke-on-Trent.”

03.06.13   
The School of Art & Design at the University of Wolverhampton is inviting practicing artists to engage with the School and its students via a new Artist In Residence scheme. The scheme has now replaced the previous Artists’ Access to Art Colleges programme, and has been extended from four artists to ten artists. Application deadline: 12th June 2013. See the Web page for full details.

03.06.13   
Added to the Directory: Anita Harris Art Pottery, a maker of vivid hand-painted pottery. Based in Longton in Stoke-on-Trent…

03.06.13   
The Number 26 Pop-up Shop is now open at 26 Town Rd in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent and is looking fabulous. Inside is a big range of creative and interesting items from local makers, and Rebecca Jones Photography is located upstairs. They currently have a good range of stock, but say they are currently interested in seeing more potential sale items from local makers. The Google StreetView for the location is here.

03.06.13   
West Midlands art teachers are invited to Birmingham on the evening of 3rd July 2013 (5pm–7pm) at the Ikon Gallery, for a 4MAT networking evening with regional art teachers. Places are free, but should be reserved by contacting the Ikon Gallery.

03.06.13   
Fancy a summer art-trip out to the Welsh Marches? Borderland Visual Arts Open Studios is on 15th-16th June & 22nd-23rd June 2013, in and around Oswestry in Shropshire (about 28 miles west of Stoke). 33 artists are opening their studios in and around Oswestry (10am to 5pm each day). There is also a group show at the Willow Gallery in Oswestry. An open studios leaflet/map can be downloaded at the website. Sounds like a great networking opportunity with neighbouring artists and makers.