Zahara’s My experience of being an intern with Creative Black Country
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. Zahara proved herself to be a great asset, getting stuck in to a number of tasks and challenges, which for anyone who works at a creative organisation will know, is a brilliant help.
We asked Zahara to round up her insights and share her experience of what she got up to…
Sajida and Zahara at the Autumn Social - image by Lee Allen
People often ask me what I’ll do with my degree - Politics and Philosophy - and more often than not, I haven’t the faintest clue. One thing I have always known, however, is that I want to help people, whether that’s on a local or wider scale. When I came across the internship with Creative Black Country via the University of Birmingham’s B-Experienced programme, I thought it would be a great opportunity to explore a side of community life and its inner workings that I’d never had the chance to see before. I am pleased to say my time with Creative Black Country did not disappoint.
Supporting the Fundraising Fellowship Scheme
One of the first projects I assisted on was helping set up and run the Fundraising Fellowship Scheme in Smethwick. This was my first real insight into what it takes to bring community groups and artists together around a common goal.
My responsibilities were contacting participants, arranging catering, and securing a suitable room for the sessions. It was lovely seeing everything come together on the day. It was interesting to see the variety in attendees, from freelance artists to established community groups.
Helping run the sessions themselves introduced me to the realities of community funding: the hopes people have for their ideas, the barriers they face, and the creativity they bring to solving local problems. It was inspiring to see the energy people were putting into their local communities.
Event Coordination of the Creative Funding for the Future Event for CBC’s Black Country Funding Network for Arts & Culture
Zahara at the Creative Funding for the Future event - image by Lee Allen
In October I had the opportunity to support the smooth running of the ‘Creative Funding for the Future’ event, featuring speakers from ArtsGrantGuru, Createch, Heart of England, Awards for All, and Arts Council England. Each organisation offered valuable insights into how creatives can access funding, develop sustainable projects, and connect their ideas with the right support. It was inspiring to hear from people who understood the challenges facing artists today and offering practical solutions.
What stood out most to me was the discussion around AI and the future of the arts. It’s exciting to see how technology is opening up new creative possibilities, from generating innovative concepts to improving accessibility and audience engagement. The event sparked a lot of reflection on how artists can collaborate with AI rather than feel threatened by it.
Beyond the presentations, I loved the chance to speak with people from a wide range of creative backgrounds, from charities and people working in theatre to musicians. Hearing about their projects and ambitions taught me how diverse the creative sector is. I left feeling both inspired and better informed about the people and emerging technologies shaping the future of the arts.
Image by Lee Allen
Organising the Creative Black Country Autumn Social
Later in my internship, I supported the team in organising their Autumn Social, an event that brought together artists from across the Black Country. My tasks included sending out invitations and managing the guest list. It was my first time helping organise an event of that size, and it taught me the importance of clarity, organisation, and following up (because not everyone replies the first time!).
The event itself was one of my favourite moments from the internship. Seeing artists from the Black Country share their craft in such an open environment was incredibly motivating. One of the highlights for me was watching a leather printing demonstration, a craft I knew nothing about before that evening. The history and skill that went into the process was beautiful to watch, and it reminded me of how much talent often exists quietly within local communities.
The social wasn’t just enjoyable; it put into perspective the impact Creative Black Country has in providing platforms for artists to be seen and appreciated.
What I Took Away
Overall, my internship gave me a deeper understanding of how community organisations operate behind the scenes. I learned how much work goes into creating spaces where people feel empowered to share their ideas and their artistry. I also discovered how much I enjoy being part of that process, helping things run smoothly and connecting with people.
My time with Creative Black Country hasn’t given me a definitive answer about what I’ll do with my degree, but it has shown me the kind of work that brings me joy and purpose. And for now, that feels like more than enough.
A huge thanks to Zahara for your enthusiasm, support and being a part of the Creative Black Country team.