From May 2024 to May 2025, Art Road Trip – the National Gallery’s travelling art studio – visited 18 locations across the UK. In March 2025, the colourful mobile studio rolled into the Black Country for two lively weeks of creative activity in Walsall and Wolverhampton.

Walsall is a place rich with stories—of traditions passed down through generations, of communities shaped by migration, resilience and creativity. Now, a new opportunity is opening up for local groups to shine a light on their own unique histories through Making Our Mark, a community-led heritage project supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Walsall is positioning itself as one of the most creative areas in the Black Country, with a host of innovative projects and collaborations shaping a vibrant cultural future.

Three artists have taken up residency in empty shops in Walsall to make art. Located on the top floor of the Saddler Centre artists Daya Bhattia, Queenie Garland and Dan Griffin-Hayes will occupy two empty shops until December 2024 creating new temporary public artworks for Walsall. 

In collaboration with One Walsall and as part of the 'Walsall Makes' programme, Creative Black Country (CBC) is proud to announce the recipients of the series of Small Community Cultural Grants (ranging from £1k to £5k) as part of our ongoing partnership to celebrate and enrich local culture in Walsall.

Juneau Projects, the innovative artist duo known for their community-centered and interactive works, have been awarded the prestigious Artist in Residency opportunity, presented through a new partnership between Midlands landlord whg and Creative Black Country (CBC).

Small Community Cultural Grants of £1k to £5k available to support brand new community cultural and creative activity in Walsall Borough.

Creative Communities special series - PART 01: WALSALL

CBC Creative Advisor Laura chats to David who shares how he collaborated with the team at the Creative Factory and how they set up a writing group.

Where can you go for circus skills fun, nature-inspired screen printing, live music, Japanese Hapa Zome making and creative conversations? The CBC Summer Social is where…

A giant sculpture is about to set afloat on two of Walsall’s most recognisable waterways this month.

Over 100 Walsall residents aged 5 - 83 have contributed to a new film celebrating Walsall’s Arboretum. Watch the film here…

Walsall Arboretum bandstand was open to the public last weekend (11-12 September) to host I Remember Walsall Illuminations – an exhibition of photos and videos about the famous Midlands light show which ran for 57 years in the town’s premier park.

I Remember Walsall Illuminations: An exhibition of photos and video at Walsall Arboretum Bandstand, 11-12 September.

2 Meters Ap-Art Community Portraits Art Exhibition - An Outdoor Public Art Show by Ade Wressell. Monday 3rd May - Friday 18th June @ Walsall Creative Factory. The Exhibition is a collection of black and white portraiture photographs that tell the story of the Butts diverse community, celebrating identity and togetherness, whilst being kept apart during Covid-19.

Walsall Creative Factory develops projects in Community and School settings in Walsall by fostering partnership and working with a variety of groups, neighbourhoods and organisations. The team provide life enriching experiences through the delivery of creative activities and events to support community cohesion.

Andre Reid is a designer, Maker and Researcher who is actively working towards reimagining Walsall as a town of full of creative practice and home of innovation. The Abundance in Walsall project aims to profile the wealth of arts and cultural activities available in Walsall town, through the creation of an online interactive, arts map & directory.

Dave Pitt of Poets, Prattlers, and Pandemonialists attends the first oral history training session for Creative Black Country's National Heritage Lottery Funded project Finding Our Funny Roots and meets oral historian Siobhán Stevenson.