2025 was a year of momentum, connection and meaningful creative activity for Creative Black Country. Across towns, neighbourhoods and shared spaces, creativity showed up in everyday places, shaped by local voices and delivered with partners who know their communities best.

As part of their Black Country Digital Firsts journey, Beth and Denise from Gazebo Theatre headed to Frameless London for a timely go-and-see, exploring how immersive technology and projection mapping can shape inclusive creative experiences.

As we step out of 2025 and look to a fresh year, we wanted to share some of the things we have been doing and how your input is helping to put the Black Country firmly on the creative map.

During our Autumn Social in November 2025 we asked the guests a question: "In the future what do you hope the Black Country is known for in terms of creativity, community and culture?'

This year we welcomed Zahara Foster as our Project & Event Support Intern for 2025. Zahara joined us via the University of Birmingham’s B-Experienced Internship Programme and was mentored throughout by our Fundraising Manager Yvonne.

There was another brilliant session with Lifegate as participants explored the heritage of Adire, the traditional Yoruba tie and dye technique that dates back to the 1800s.

We are delighted to introduce Megan Parker as the Project Lead for Three Fifteen in Tipton. Megan brings a bright mix of local knowledge, creative energy and hands on experience to the role, and her passion for storytelling and community connection shines through everything she does.

Earlier this year, we commissioned a project with Misfits Music through our Creative Communities strand, to work with their Tipton Rock Collective, an inclusive community rock group for adults that meet regularly to rehearse and perform rock music in Tipton, Sandwell.

Black Country Digital Firsts returns with a new group of artists, makers, performers, and creative organisations who are experimenting with technology in bold and imaginative ways. This cohort brings together a wide range of practices including sound design, textile tech, projection mapping, animation, interactive storytelling, and digital poetry.

Sylwia Ciszewska-Peciak is creating a powerful digital and sculptural artwork that explores the emotional landscape of motherhood.

Gazebo Theatre in Bilston is developing an immersive projection mapped installation that brings nature into an urban setting.

StudioFX is developing an ambitious projection and animation project that brings large-scale digital energy to Walsall.

Artist and storyteller Daya Bhatti is developing an innovative project that merges textiles and technology to explore South Asian narratives.

Karen Garland is developing an ambitious digital project that uses collage, portable scanning, sound, and projection mapping to transform public and cultural spaces across the Black Country.

Guided by their individual practices in healthcare, poetry, and community art, the group is exploring how digital tools can transform poetry and visual art into uplifting creative encounters within NHS and community settings.

Sarah Ann Cromwell is an award winning operatic comedian, trained audio describer, BOM Unreal Engine Bootcamp alumni and creator of Sandwell Visually Impaired (SVI) accessibility resources for creatives.

There’s something special about being in a room full of people who believe in creativity. That sense of energy, laughter, and possibility, it’s hard to describe, but it’s what makes evenings like our Autumn Social at The Rock in Walsall so powerful.

This week saw the launch of Communi-Tea, a heartwarming new project from the Dorothy Parkes Centre in Smethwick, created as part of Creative Black Country and The Space’s Black Country Digital Firsts programme.

On 9th October 2025 in Bilston, community groups, arts organisations and creatives from across the Black Country gathered for a special event ‘Creative Funding for the Future’.

If you are a community group interested in starting a new heritage project you can apply to Making our Mark NOW!