Funding applications can feel daunting, particularly when you are trying to turn a creative idea into the language of outcomes, budgets, evidence and activity plans. But one of the key messages from our latest funding advice session was reassuringly simple: fundraising is all about telling a story and as creatives that’s what we do, so don’t feel intimidated.

When people hear the word evaluation, it's easy to think about surveys, spreadsheets and reports. But for Three 15, evaluation is about something much bigger. It's about understanding how creativity shapes places, strengthens communities and changes lives.

What kind of creature would you create to protect Tipton’s canals? This August, children and families are invited to get creative at Clay Canal Guardians, a free hands-on workshop at Glebefields Library led by local artist Rebecca Thompson.

Black County Touring, the Place Lead partners for Three 15 Smethwick, have a call out for a new Artist in Residence opportunity.

As lead partner for Three 15 Wednesbury, Multistory is working with artists Jan Williams and Chris Teasdale (who work together as The Caravan Gallery) on The People’s Map of Wednesbury, a collaborative map and evolving community exhibition.

What does heritage mean to the people who live in Walsall today? For the first cohort of Making Our Mark, community groups explored that question through textiles, photography, personal memories, music and dance. Their projects celebrated the traditions people have carried with them, the connections they have made and the stories that now form part of Walsall’s shared identity.

VIDEO: Wild and Wonderful - The Willenhall Writers Group. Watch the film to hear from the writers themselves and discover how a simple idea became a thriving creative community.

Creative Black Country is delighted to announce a new three-year partnership with Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, which will see the theatre support community-led creative activity in Wolverhampton through Creative Black Country’s Creative Communities programme.

Stories were blooming alongside the flowers at Caldmore Community Garden on Saturday 20th June.. As part of Making Our Mark, local people took part in a series of storytelling workshops led by Bostin Arts, sharing memories, experiences and reflections on what this much-loved community space means to them.

Between November 2025 and March 2026, Creative Black Country worked with the four Councils for Voluntary Service (CVS) across Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton to deliver a series of Creative Communities Go & Sees.

As lead partner for Three 15 Wednesbury, Multistory will be working with artists' Jan Williams and Chris Teasdale from The Caravan Gallery between May and October 2026, on The People’s Map, a collaborative map and an evolving community exhibition.

Would your Walsall-based community group like to share your unique heritage stories? Applications are now open for our final round of Community Heritage Grants.

This Friday 29th May, Three 15 and Sandwell Creates welcome Birmingham Opera Company for a series of free live performances bringing electrifying music and opera to the heart of Smethwick.

Do you have an idea for a heritage project? Are you thinking of applying to The National Lottery Heritage Fund? Join our free online event ‘Applying for grants from £10,000 to £250,000 under its new 10-year strategy ‘Heritage 2033’.

Invitation to Black Country Creative Freelancers - Creative Black Country’s Funding Network is hosting a free event especially for you!

We’re hosting a special online session for local creatives on 6th May, where you can hear about the commission that’s available - and there will be the opportunity to ask questions too.

We asked our Fundraising Manager Yvonne to help us look back at the past year of the Fundraising Fellowship Scheme and to share what has been happening.

We’re delighted to share a glimpse into Outside In, the beautiful immersive experience created by Gazebo Theatre as part of their journey on the Black Country Digital Firsts programme.

As the first cohort of groups taking part in Making our Mark has now ended, it feels like the right moment to pause, reflect and celebrate the creativity, care and connection that has been unfolding across Walsall.

What makes a city more than bricks and buildings? The people. We Are Wolverhampton is a photographic portrait project capturing the soul of the city, one face and one conversation at a time.