Creativity Works





Creativity Works Newsletter January 2018
Read all about our current work, get in touch for more info and please share with a friend or colleague to help us spread the word. 
Director's Blog

The year has started brightly for us here at Creativity Works with the news that we, alongside other consortium members Kilter and Bath Dance, have been awarded the contract to deliver arts development activities in Foxhill over the forthcoming year. This commission complements our work as Cultural Producers for both of the B&NES arts development commissions in Foxhill and the Somer Valley. We are very much looking forward to starting our venture in Foxhill, working alongside the community to develop a vibrant and sustainable arts offer, with young people and families at the heart of our plans.

The concept behind our Cultural Producer role is modelled on Arts Council England's own co-production methodology, and as such we are still very keen to hear from members of the community who would be interested in becoming part of the Co-Producers group. 
People who live or work in either area would be extremely valuable to the group, however if you have a passion for the arts and how they can change lives, but you don't live in these areas, we would still very much like to hear from you. Please do see further details of this role in the newsletter.

Further to these two commissions, and indeed our longstanding commission, The Mental Health Creative Support Service, we are also about to embark on a newly commissioned piece of work for Somerset Libraries called 'Engaging Libraries.' This will see artists working alongside adults with autism and the wider community to redesign library spaces so they are more welcoming and functional for people with autism.

This raft of work will feed into our co|Create programme over the next year, ensuring that the experience we gain is not lost, but rather disseminated to other socially engaged artists in the region. The themes of co|Create will reflect our current work, exploring mental health and autism, spaces and places, and community development.  The newly formed co|Create steering group, made up of socially engaged artists at various stages of their careers, will meet in February where we will discuss and sculpt the programme for the year.

Although we have yet to confirm a venue and date, March will see a truly inspiring co|Create session from Jill Carter, one of the most highly thought of and adventurous socially engaged artists around. Jill will be leading a day on Creative Journaling, an open-ended process, which can be intuitive, practical, poetic and playful! This workshop will offer space and time to explore ideas around how to use a journal to document thoughts in relation to the self, people and place, journeys and happenings. If you are interested in finding out more about this workshop or reserving a place, please do email me (oliver@creativityworks.org.uk) or look out for more information on our website and in our next newsletter.

Olly

Director, Creativity Works
Wellbeing  
Opportunity: Arts Development Project Manager
We are seeking a talented, enthusiastic and experienced Project Manager who has experience of socially engaged arts practice and events management on both large and small scales, for our forthcoming Arts Development commissioned work in Foxhill, Bath.

Creativity Works is part of a consortium alongside Kilter and Bath Dance who have successfully won the contract to deliver arts development activities in the Foxhill area of Bath. The successful candidate will become part of the team, aiming to inspire participants and residents in the area through a high-quality array of socially engaged arts activities. There will be two large-scale events as part of the programme, as well as a number of other workshops, courses and projects.

Job Description

Role:
  • To project manage the arts activity in Foxhill on behalf of the consortium

Main tasks and duties:

  • To co-ordinate the arts activity including liaising with artists, participants and venues, booking rooms and other activity spaces
  • To lead on co-ordination and management of the 2 large-scale events
  • To attend planning, stakeholder and co-producer meetings as and when necessary and to take minutes of the meetings
  • To lead on the creation and production of any marketing materials in collaboration with CW Admin and Comms Coordinator
  • To collate all monitoring and feedback and produce appropriate evaluation reports
  • To work alongside the Cultural Producers to identify potential participants, audiences and stakeholders

Contract type: Freelance
Post Title: Arts Development Project Manager
Responsible to: Creativity Works Director and other consortium partner leads
Based at: Flexible: we anticipate a mix of home working, CW office in Radstock, and sites in Foxhill, Bath
Salary: £5000 inc. plus travel expenses
Contract: A minimum of 40 days during Feb 2018-Jan 2019
Hours of Work: To be discussed with consortium

Please send a CV and covering letter of no more than 2 sides of A4, outlining your relevant experience and your reasons for applying for this particular role to: Oliver Jones - oliver@creativityworks.org.uk 
Deadline: 12pm Wed 31st January
Interviews to be held in the week of Feb 5th

Want to make a real and lasting difference in B&NES? Join our board as a Trustee...

With exciting plans for 2018-22 we are looking for Trustees with a strong background in finance, law, HR, IT, business development/social enterprise or property acquisition.

The Board meets six times per year and is a friendly and committed team.

To apply please send a letter outlining your interest and a CV to our Director, Oliver Jones: oliver@creativityworks.org.uk by 31st January 2018.

"It's good to know that I'm a part of something that has such a huge positive impact for the participants we work with" - Existing Trustee

Creativity Works is a registered charity no.1075812
Artist Profile - Barbara Disney

CROWD.  An installation of figures and portraits made by people attending Art on Referral programmes in Bristol.
Each month we'll be shining the spotlight on an artist that we are currently working with. This month, we've the pleasure to introduce artist Barbara Disney, who is working with us on our FreshArt@ Project.  *There are still a few places available on this project - see below for more details*

Hello Barbara - tell us a bit about yourself (and your artistic medium)

I have been working within the arts as a practitioner of socially engaged visual art since leaving college, quite some time ago.  Working with groups of people is central to my work. This might be to create an exhibition or installation with their work, or to include their ideas and designs in a piece of public art fabricated by me.

I believe in making art accessible to all sectors of the community, while also challenging some preconceived ideas of what is 'art', and working in whatever way is most appropriate to the individual or group. Each piece is based on an extensive process of research and consultation to ensure the work is authentic and appropriate to location and use.

I work with a variety of mediums: print, enamel, mosaic, digital manipulation, printed and resist dyed textile. Some of the work is large scale and site specific, other pieces small and intimate.

What project/s are you currently working on with Creativity Works?

I'm about to start working on the Fresh Art@ project, working in museums in Bath. Fresh Art@, is a partnership project supported by Creativity Works, Avon & Wiltshire NHS Mental Health Partnership Trust (AWP), The Holburne Museum, No1 Royal Crescent, The American Museum in Britain and Virgin Care, which creates new artwork to enliven NHS communities, created by people with experience of mental health, enabling them to explore, develop and grow through creativity and contribute to community projects.

I was involved in this project last year and am excited about developing ideas now I have some knowledge of what the museum collections hold and how they engage with the public.

Who inspires you? (and why)

I am inspired by the 'ordinary people' that I work with, people who come often saying 'I'm not artistic", and then produce heartfelt, meaningful, beautiful work. Other than that I could give you a long list of artists from the creators of Adire textiles in Nigeria to Matisse's fantastic paper cut-outs made in his later life.

What book or exhibition has inspired you recently?

The Most Popular Art exhibition Ever, Grayson Perry at Arnolfini was pretty good.

What's been your biggest professional, personal or creative achievement to date?

Just an ongoing series of achievements, with quite a few setbacks.

What are your creative aspirations? (with or without Creativity Works)?

I am most excited that with two colleagues, I have set up a Community Interest Company, CreativeShift, which devises and delivers innovative projects to improve Wellbeing.

Last year we created CROWD, An installation of figures and portraits made by people attending Art on Referral programmes in Bristol. First shown at The Vestibules in City Hall, Bristol during the Culture Health and Wellbeing International Conference, CROWD acknowledges that in any group of people 1 in 4 have experience of mental health challenges. CROWD subsequently toured community venues around Bristol and showed up at the Community psychology Festival at Arnolifini and had a tour on the Severn Railway Line.

We are currently devising new projects and would love the opportunity to expand the work into the Bath area.

What advice would you give an emerging socially engaged artist?

Expect to work hard, and don't expect a reliable, massive income. Do expect to spend quite a lot of time on admin. More importantly, be true to yourself, your skills and interests, and recognise you have a unique way of working. I work with emerging artists, when possible with them receiving payment, although often with them volunteering their time. This does give the opportunity to find out if working within communities is of genuine interest to them and I hope I am able to offer some useful mentoring. I enjoy the input of fresh ideas and enthusiasm offered by these artists.
Join the Fresh Art@ Project
There are 4 places still available

If you are isolated, affected by, or supporting anyone with experience of mental health issues, please join us to create FRESH ART to transform the walls of AWP NHS environments and clinical settings.

You can self-refer to this project or, if you are receiving support from a service in the community, they can also refer you by contacting either Philippa Forsey - philippa@creativityworks.org.uk or Nat Burgess - nathaniel.burgess@nhs.net.



New photography peer-led group starting in Bath

There has been much interest in photography following the Snap & Stroll projects that ran in 2017 in Bath, Radstock and Keynsham with Creativity Works and Bath College. Group members are meeting on the 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th February to discuss continuing as a peer-led group run by the members.

If you are interested in photography and getting out and about then do get in touch.

For more details contact George - george.clack@virgincare.co.uk 
or Philippa - philippa@creativityworks.org.uk   Tel: 01761 438852

Join Creative Perspectives and expand your creativity
The peer-led group are keen to welcome new members

Creative Perspectives is a peer-led visual arts creative group in Bath. We offer an opportunity to meet others, learn and share creative ideas and skills, gain confidence in a safe and friendly environment and contribute to the planning and continuation of the group.
 
The group is planned and run by members for its members with occasional facilitation by visiting artists. It is suitable for those who would like to support their wellbeing through creativity.
 
There is no set tuition but a volunteer artist is available to assist when needed and all group members have a wide variety of skills and experience in many different mediums.
The group meet on Friday afternoons in central Bath
 
This is not a drop-in group but if you are interested in becoming a member please contact: Philippa@creativityworks.org.uk - 01761 438852

Help support the peer-led group Writing Space

Copies of the Writing Space Anthology booklet are now available to buy via our website, with all profits going to support the continued running of the group.

The anthology is an A5 soft cover booklet with 18 original works written by Writing Space members.   Each copy is £3.50 and includes P&P to any UK address (if international postage - please contact us) . I f you would like to buy more than 5 copies, please contact us directly to combine p&p costs.

All profits from the sale of these booklets goes towards supporting the running of the group.
Please allow 14 days for delivery. THANK YOU for your support.

Checkout  
 
Join Writing Space!

Keen to welcome new members, Writing Space is a creative peer-led support group for anyone who has some experience of writing and would like to meet with others in a friendly informal group to develop and share ideas. You don't have to be a published writer! This group is fun and welcoming to all and is suitable for anyone that would like to develop their writing skills. Bath: Tuesdays 1 - 4pm.

If you interested in joining this group please book a place with Philippa at Creativity Works: philippa@creativityworks.org.uk  01761 438852

Other Opportunities
Training opportunities for volunteers and artists

Training & Facilitation course in Bath

This free course enables clients, volunteers and staff to design and deliver training and is open to:
Training & Facilitation course outline

Aims of course
To provide staff and volunteers with a foundation in training design and delivery
 
Learners will:
  • Be able to identify the aims and objectives of a learning intervention/training course
  • Know how to develop a lesson/session plan using a standard template
  • Be able to construct a session around learners needs
  • Develop an understanding of good facilitation
  • Practice designing and delivering a short learning session
  • Evaluate different methods of delivery
  • Consider ways to assess and evaluate learning
  • Receive feedback on lesson/session planning and facilitation skills
  • Reflect on their own training and facilitation styles
  • Identify opportunities for further development in this area
When & where:
Friday 19th Jan - St Mungo's, 1New St, Bristol, BS2 9DX
Friday 26th Jan - The Salvation Army, Basement rm, Green Park Road, Bath, BA1 1XE

To apply:
E-mail your name, tel, the org you're connected to, a short statement on the training you wish to deliver  to  ralph.lillywhite@mungos.org  If you have any questions please contact email or call Ralph Lillywhite, St Mungo's Bridges to Wellbeing Manager - tel: 0782 511 5775

Peer Mentoring Training

Have you ever thought about being a peer mentor? If you would like to find out more about what this involves there are two meetings coming up
When: Friday 9th February - 1pm
Where: St Mungo's, South Vaults, Green Park, Bath
To Book: Contact Claire Lawrence, Peer mentoring Coordinator 07736 457 670 c.lawrence1@nhs.net

Making Every Contact Count Training

Public health England's MECC Make Every Contact Count training, 2 half days, is available for volunteers, the course encourages people to have positive conversations about wellbeing and health, learn how to better ask open questions, use SMARTER goal setting enabling those they support to make healthier choices for themselves.
Attendees need to be able to commit to both days to gain the certificate.

When19th and 26th January 9.30am-1pm at 
Where: The Percy Centre, New King Street, Bath.
To Book: Contact Claire Lawrence, Peer mentoring Coordinator 07736 457 670 c.lawrence1@nhs.net

KS2 carers group will be having a special guest joining them!

MP for Bath Wera Hobhouse will be answering questions on local mental health issues, so come along if you're interested in what she has to say.

If you'd like to ask a question - please send it to Bev Nottingham at Hello@KS2bath.org
Whether you are a service user or carer, this a great opportunity to have your say and potentially influence how mental health services are provided in B&NES.

When: Tuesday 13th February 7pm - 9pm
Where: Bath Carer's Centre, Lower Bristol road, Bath, BA2 9ES

Free modelling workshop with designer/maker
Peter Marigold
 
Date: Saturday 20th January 2018
Time: 10am-12 noon and 1-3pm (two sessions)
Place: St Andrew's Community Church, Hawthorn Grove, Foxhill, Bath BA2 5QA
 
Do you like making things? Come and work with professional designer/maker Peter Marigold at this FREE workshop to make objects using his creation FORMcard, an amazing meltable bio-plastic product. FORMcard comes in a huge range of colours and can be used in a myriad of creative ways and the workshop will be inspiring to all age groups and abilities.
 
These workshops are open to all ages, but children must be accompanied by a responsible adult.
 
Tickets and all materials are free but places are limited so please book in advance.
 
For further information or to book your place please email Suzanne at info@suzanneheath.co.uk or call 07843 417474.
 
Find out more about Peter and FORMcard here: www.petermarigold.com
 

Call-out for FaB Festival 2018 
 
Inviting Artists and Creatives to respond to the exhibition & event proposals for this year. 
Submission deadline is 20 March 2018 unless otherwise specified.  Full details visit -  www.fringeartsbath.co.uk
 
Understanding your child's behaviour - workshop

Would you like to know more about your child's development? 
Do you understand your child's behaviour? 
Would you like a chance to meet with other parents with children of a similar age? 
Do you know why children have temper tantrums? 

10 weeks of FREE sessions for parents/carers of children with additional needs are being run in Bath from the 19th April. These sessions are for parents and carers who want to know more about parenting, how children develop and to understand children's behaviour better.

Thursday 19th April - 28th June 2018 *No course in school holidays* 

Bath Carer's Centre, The Woodlands, Lower Bristol Road, Bath BA2 9ES 10am - 12pm 
Call Freephone 0800 0388 885 or email info@banescarerscentre.org.uk, to book your place Funded by the wellbeing college.
Dates for your diary 2018

Mental Health Awareness Week: 14 - 20 May
Creativity Works Summer Wellbeing Challenge: 01 - 31 August
World Mental Health Day: 10th October
Simply click through Give as You Live every time you shop online to raise money for Creativity Works

Thank you for reading our newsletter. If you would like to follow our updates in between newsletters remember that you can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Pinterest


With Best Wishes,

The Creativity Works Team


For more information:
Tel: 01761 438852    Email:  info@creativityworks.org.uk  

Supported by Bath & North East Somerset Council and Arts Council England

Creativity Works Footer image
divider
Creativity Works | 01761 438852 | info@creativityworks.org.uk | http://www.creativityworks.org.uk
Leigh House
1 Wells Road
Radstock
Bath, BA3 3RN
Supported by:

BANES-Council


  Pinterest Facebook Twitter Linked In
Registered Charity No. 1075812 Company No. 3768255 Creativity Works for Everyone is a company limited by guarantee registered in England