Laura Dicken is a photographer who works mainly in social documentary, and a Creative Producer. She mostly works with those who do not engage with, or are least likely to be involved with the arts for example, the homeless. She is also an Arts Advisor for Creative Black Country.

One strand of CBC’s activity consists of giving funding to local creatives to support activities that build audiences, and promote creative and artistic excellence across the Black Country.

Great Art and Culture For Everyone - how to apply for Arts Council Project grants and Creative Black Country's Open Access Awards workshops at the Black Country Business Festival this May.

With April Fools Day on a Monday this year we couldn’t resist putting the call out to have a rib-tickling start to the week so we want you to help us out by dressing up and sending us your silliest picture that we can pop on social media to share.

MotherShip seek to connect communities through culture and creativity, particularly working with newly arrived mothers and their children.

Within the safety and familiarity of West Park Primary school, the group are offering mums weekly drama sessions to help build confidence.

We are Bearwood are a voluntary organisation that runs events and activities, often arts based, that aim to improve community well-being and connections in the area of Bearwood and Smethwick in Sandwell.

Ruth Durrant is a ceramic artist/community artist who is inspired by nature and celtic knotwork. She also enjoys local history and has decided to combine both interests in to one project.

Creative Black Country’s 100 Masters project has been shortlisted for a ‘Digital & Film Award’ by the New National Creative Learning Awards.

Gatis Community Space provides a safe hub for the local community to gather, connect and grow. Exploring the history of the site and the area, they will create digital and recycled artwork with the community, to share in their loverthereans lantern parade.

Fine artist Sue Brisco has been awarded two Open Access Awards; the first was a SEED award for a project call ‘The Seeing Small Microscope and Art Project’ which she produced in collaboration Wildside Activity Centre.

In 2018 Poets, Prattlers, and Pandemonialists, (three poets: Dave Pitt, Emma Purshouse and Steve Pottinger) applied for an Open Access Award to put on several workshops.

With the 15th January classed as Britain’s most miserable day of the year, according to annual weather stats, and ‘Blue Monday’ (the 21st Jan) close by, employees and visitors to the Black Country Chamber of Commerce will get the chance to add some much needed warming cheer to their week as the Chamber hosts the Funny Things Joke Box.

2018 has been an exciting year for Creative Black Country. The team have been planning, organising, travelling and preparing to bring the Black Country another dose of great quality art and creativity that everyone can get involved with.

With our 100 Masters continually offering us inspiration here at CBC we have put together a little journal to help get your creative juices flowing in 2019.

Here’s a short video of the performance piece we brought to the ZEE Sandwell & Birmingham Mela this year.

Wolverhampton’s comedy festival makes its return in 2019 to bring giggles, guffaws and lols to a venue near you - and they are looking for your help.

The CBC team are thrilled, once again, to have been shortlisted for another award for our 100 Masters project.

Join us to find out about how Dudley borough can apply to become part of a national Arts Council England initiative, Creative People and Places (CPP) for a 4 year long programme.

Our 100 Masters project has won a European Youth Award for ‘Smart Learning’.