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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.
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Director's Blog
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As 2017 continues to bring momentous change and challenges for all of us, as a third sector organisation (as with most arts organisations) I feel we really are in the thick of it and understanding the ever-evolving local, national and international landscape is a full-time occupation.
I certainly gained reassurance, at least in my knowledge if not in how to deal with the situation, from NCVO's excellent report, 'The Road Ahead: What will 2017 mean for charities?'
In summary, the key drivers shaping the sector include:
The impact of Brexit: Charities will need to quickly understand the threats and opportunities, so they can be part of the debate
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Austerity extended
: The direction of travel for government continues to point towards a reduction of public spending. This, combined with changing local authority finances, reduced public service provision and lower incomes for poorer households, is likely to increase demand for many forms of charity services and place further pressure on their resources
Regulatory challenges: new requirements will be introduced at a time when charities are already facing the consequences of a drop in the public's trust, and when therefore it is more important than ever to have the right checks and balances in place
Decreasing social mobility: The need to strengthen social cohesion is likely to become a priority for many voluntary organisations
The rise of automation: It is becoming increasingly possible that automation will affect voluntary organisations, even if this will initially be limited to back-office roles, redirecting people's time towards higher value tasks
Charities in the 'shared society': This will continue to be our sector's greatest strength as people connect and work together in building a truly shared society
Many of these issues have surfaced recently with the announcement of funding cuts to the arts in B&NES and Bristol and the variety of responses from the sector. We had a fascinating and extremely productive What Next? Chapter meeting, discussing the cuts and their implications and have formed several questions that we will be seeking clarification of from B&NES council itself. I will be sharing these with What Next? Chapter members so please do let me know if you would like to be put on the mailing list and receive invites and info. I will also be meeting with Councillor Patrick Anketell-Jones, Cabinet Member for Economic Development, to discuss the rationale behind their decision, and will no doubt be sharing some of this understanding in future blogs.
Olly
Director, Creativity Works
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Artists Call-Out For Two Projects:
One to One and Found, Forgotten and Forbidden
One to One
We are looking for two artists who have experience of working with people with autism, for a new Integrated Personal Commissioning pilot project delivering 1-1 sessions funded through an individual's personal budget.
Firstly, we are looking for a visual artist who has a keen understanding of, and experience in, graphic art and comic-book style illustration. Secondly, we are looking for a drama practitioner to work alongside an individual with the aim of creating an on-going group in the future.
Both clients are based in the Radstock/Midsomer Norton area where we would imagine meetings would take place, and could start immediately.
Found, Forgotten and Forbidden
As part of our new young people's project, The Radstock Arts project, we are looking for an experienced theatre practitioner to lead on one of its elements.
We will be working with young people's groups and other individuals, to create an ensemble that will devise, create and perform a unique, innovative and highly engaging piece of outdoor/promenade theatre, with engagement and participation at the heart of the project, and a focus on young people's wellbeing a priority.
Young people will research, probe, explore and investigate the forgotten, found and forbidden areas, people, stories and myths from Radstock. From the mining history to the architecture, the importance of the railway line and Roman history, to the town's contemporary aura and pertinence, they will progress this first stage of the project into a second, devising phase. The participants will then create an assortment of stories that will be performed in peculiar, forbidden, hidden and extraordinary spaces around the town.
The audience will be led by participant/actors linking these stories together, making a dramaturgical sense and narrative rhythm apparent.
The current dates for this project are flexible, but the majority of the work and the performance itself will probably be in the summer.
If you are interested in either of these opportunities, please do send your CV and an outline of your relevant experience to oliver@creativityworks.org.uk by Friday 31st March.
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We are seeking a volunteer for 'Writing Space' our creative writing peer led group.
Would you like to increase your experience of working with groups,
share creative writing skills and encourage group members to develop confidence and self-esteem through writing and running their own group? Yes then
we'd be very interested to hear from you.
We are looking for people who:
- Are able to encourage others
- Want to develop their workshop facilitation and peer support skills
- Have good communication skills and the ability to listen Have some awareness and understanding of the need for boundaries & confidentiality
- Have compassion and understanding for vulnerable people
- Have an ability to work on their own and think creatively
- Are committed and reliable
Writing Space meet in central Bath on Tuesday afternoons.
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B&NES Creative Wellbeing Courses
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Textiles: Skill Seekers
Boost confidence, experiment, share and learn creative textile techniques in a small supportive group. Skill Seekers is a group that meets weekly to socialise, create and develop projects.
Come and share ideas and develop your skills. No previous experience is necessary. Suitable for B&NES residents who would like to support their wellbeing through creativity. A textiles tutor will offer advice and guidance for projects on the following dates: 21st February and 21st March.
When: Tuesdays (ongoing group) Arrive 1.30pm for a cuppa. Start 2pm - 4pm
Where: Odd Down Community Centre,
Odins Rd, Bath BA2 2TL
Cost: £2 per session
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Food: Kitchen Creations Cookery Course
Devise your own recipes by experimenting with fresh, local food. A creative cookery group suitable for those who would like to support their wellbeing, are in recovery from or supporting someone with mental health challenges
When: Starting Wednesday 26 April for 5 weeks
10am-1pm
Where: Beacon Hall, Peasedown St John
Cost:
This course is provided free of charge and is for B&NES residents.
To book: enquiries@wellbeingcollegebanes.co.uk or call on 01225 831820
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The Age of Enlightenment -
Wood Engraving Experiance
A very interesting article from The Creative Perspectives peer group sharing
their recent experience of wood engraving.
"Wood engraving requires a huge amount of concentration, visual, physical and mental. At times it was easy to become absorbed in the process, concentrating only on mark making,
a type of breathing space from the everyday."
Members of the Creative Perspectives Group* were recently given the opportunity to learn about the art of wood engraving.
The workshop was run alongside the touring exhibition The Age of Enlightenment held at the Central Gallery, Royal United Hospital, Bath from 19th January 2017 - 27th April 2017. The artist, Hilary Paynter was
specifically commissioned by Devon Guild of Craftsmen for this project on the subject of ageing and has been informed by dialogue, interaction and workshops run through the arts organisation Daisi with inter-generational groups. The project was delivered with input from Hilary's daughter Leonie Bradley, who also has prints included in the exhibition.
The introductory course was led by Leonie Bradley, an experienced wood engraver, who started her engraving career at the age of ten.
Wood Engraving Beginnings
At the beginning of the workshop Leonie explained how the height of the wooden block corresponds to the traditional lead letterpress block. Woodblock engravings were used as illustrations alongside traditional print and both type face and image blocks needed to be prepared to the same printing height.
Wood Blocks and Tools
Next she described the different tools and mediums used in wood engraving. Traditionally boxwood was chosen as the preferred engraver's block, however more recently other mediums have been introduced due to cost and ease of working such as lemonwood, Resingrave and Engraver's plastic, even Corian, the solid surface material for kitchen worktops, can be used. The surface
of the block or sheet is blackened with ink or paint or pre-blackened in order to highlight the engraved areas.
The tools have a long slim metal blade with a wooden handle that fits easily into the palm of the hand and held almost horizontally to the engraving block.
Unlike lino cut where the tools are designed to carve deeper, the engraving tools are generally used to lightly incise the surface of the block, gently removing fine slivers of material and leaving threadlike marks across the surface.
*Creative Perspectives are a peer led group based at Bath Artists Studios and supported by Creativity Works
To read the rest of the article and to see more examples of the groups work created from the day please click here
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We run a highly regarded Training and Development Programme in Socially Engaged Arts for Artists at all stages of their careers and
have an exciting mix of events and training planned for the year with the next being in May!
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Radical Landscapes with International Language Artist Camilla Nelson.
Exploring Sound, Movement, Mark and Language making in the landscape.
This workshop introduces a variety of movement, sound, and mark-making techniques as part of a poetic investigation into our relationship with the landscape.
When: Tuesday 16 May, 09.30 - 16.00
Where: Bath
Cost: £50
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Monthly Mental Health Training Talks
One hour lectures followed by an hours discussion with medical colleagues.
Tuesdays 10.30-12.30
Next talk: 28 March - Supporting People with Mental Health Needs
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Upcoming Creativity Works Exhibitions
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Radstock Through a Lens
11 - 28 April
Snap & Stroll Radstock
The Swallows Cafe, Radstock
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News, Useful Websites, Articles & Events
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Mental Health Awareness Week (8 - 12 May)
What will you / your group be doing during this week? We'd love to hear from you! Drop us an email on info@creativityworks.org.uk to let us know
Keep an eye out for next months newsletter and on our website/social media for events we'll be running that week.
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Health & Social Care -
work skills course
This free course is for anyone who wants to gain both knowledge and skills necessary to work in the sector. If this is a career path you are considering either now or in the future, this is the course for you. Please note, we are able to fund childcare (must be OFSTED registered) if needed for you to attend the course.
Dates: Mondays 20th, 27th March + 3rd, 24th April + 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd
May+ 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th June
Additional days for specific skill workshops and work experience will be arranged during the course.
Time: 9:30 - 14:30
Venue: City Centre Campus, Bath College, Avon St, Bath BA1 1UP
Tutor: Sadie Woodward
Cost: FREE
If you have any queries or to book a place, please ring Lynsey Parsons,
Adult Community Learning
Tel: 01225 328822
Or Vicki Chapman Tel: 01761 433161 ext 330
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Exhibition: Jacky Wickens
Achieving The Impossible
Lane House Gallery, Bath
The body of work featured in this show has been motivated by the desire to open a dialogue surrounding mental illness.
"Some 16 years after being diagnosed with clinical depression and severe anxiety, I am positive the time has come to openly communicate my own experience in order to assist in combating the stigma that still encompasses mental ill health. Through photography, sculpture and text, I have attempted to visually represent what it personally feels like to live inside a mind that one often cannot trust.
Producing artwork based on my own struggle with depression and anxiety has not only proved to be cathartic for me but has helped to convey to others the subjective condition from which millions of individuals suffer. In exhibiting the work made over the past three years I hope to provide proof that, what may appear impossible from the bottom of a pit of eternal despair, is not necessarily so. That one can still can have a varied and fulfilling life regardless of a debilitating mental illness. In short, that you too can achieve the impossible," Jacky Wickens.
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World Mental Health Day - 09 October
Keep an eye on our newsletter for event listings
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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 |
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Registered Charity No. 1075812 Company No. 3768255 Creativity Works for Everyone is a company limited by guarantee registered in England
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