Following announcements by the UK Government asking the population for increased social distancing, we would like to update you with our plans for the upcoming weeks.

First up for our Boredom Busters series is Project Administrator for Dudley, Gavin Medza who has taken a lovely light-hearted approach to his Black Country recommendations to help lift your mood…

Join the Black Country Studies Centre for a day of expert talks exploring the performing and cinematic arts in the Black Country. Our speakers will take you on a behind the scenes tour of the Black Country’s global contribution to music, theatre, comedy, poetry and film.

Join us in Halesowen to talk about how we can support your projects with our Creative Communities strand. If you are working in creative ways to engage people, have an idea for a project that needs support, want to connect and meet with like-minded creatives then join us for our informal March get together.

Early in 2019 we advertised a new temporary role for an Assistant Producer for Funny Things Festival. The role was built into the project from the learning of the first event alongside an understanding that you can’t be in the same place at the same time. There was a great response to the role and after a round of interviews, it was Paige that shined for the panel. Here Paige tells us about the experience…

CBC and CoLab Dudley invite you to join us for the Yam Yam Design Jam - a fun, creative, exciting and dynamic experience which brings together teams of people with all kinds of different skills and talents. Over just one special weekend teams will develop and prototype (try out low-fi versions of) completely new services, products or initiatives inspired by a shared theme.

This month CBC are heading to Smethwick to talk all things Creative Communities. We’ll be basing ourselves at the lovely Thimblemill Library for the afternoon to talk about our work in The Black Country, hear more about what you’re up to, see how we can connect and hear short Pecha Kucha 20x20 style presentations from some of our former supported groups and partners.

Creative Black Country are hosting a ‘Rough Guide to Creative People and Places (CPP)’ to share our learning during the last five years.

The Diocese of Lichfield are seeking an Artist/Creative/Design professional to help engage with people in these circumstances, designing graphic material which will attract their attention and speak to their situations.

Creative Black Country and Multistory are delighted to be welcoming photographer Rob Hornstra and writer/ filmmamker Arnold van Bruggen to the Black Country and our first project in Dudley.

The [ Discursive spaces ] residency project is an annual 6 month program of mentoring and engagement between the physical and philosophical spaces in which our local communities are creating and therefore contributing to its ever expanding [ spaces within spaces ] in the city of Wolverhampton.

We're really excited to get stuck in to a new year, new decade and new area for our Creative People and Places network and we'd love to have a coffee and chat to find out what you're excited about.

It’s been another busy and exciting year here at CBC - we’ve had a comedy festival, been part of Sandwell’s first photography festival, filmed a Milliner who makes hats for the queen, danced our way around the MELA, supported stories of the Black Country, expanded in to Dudley and had a baby!

A group of young people from Sandwell have come together to produce a series of short videos and recipe cards to help inspire and support families on low incomes to create healthy meals.

Gatis Community Space received an award to bring glass fusing to the Whitmore Reans Community in preparation for the 2019 Autumn Lantern Parade.

Rupinder Kaur, is a Birmingham Panjabi poet, performer and creative curator. Her work often looks at the Panjabi history and culture but also questions the orthodox views, particularly around the roles different genders are expected to adpot.

Take A Bow is an amateur dramatic group for adults with learning disabilities that work to create and deliver semi-professional theatrical shows in Wolverhampton.

The full Literature Festival will take place between Friday 31 January and Sunday 2 February and the full programme now announced with tickets on sale.

You are welcome to join us this Thursday for a warming winter mingle at the Light House in Wolverhampton.

The sun is shining the weather is sweet... well actually it wasn't for the first day of #FunnyThings2019 so we had to take ALL of our lovely, colourful and funny acts indoors.