Performing arts ranges from acting, to dancing to live art projects, and there are of plenty of opportunities to get involved and find support for developing ideas in the Midlands.
- DanceXchange provides artistic support, education, performances and participation opportunities, and advocates for dance at all levels.
- Youth Dance England works towards creating opportunities for young people in dance, in and out of a school setting. They also offer advice, training, support and resources to both young people and those who have developed, or are thinking about developing, a career in dance.
- Dancescape is a development organisation for Solihull, Coventry and Warwickshire.
- The Stage provides industry news, events, advice, classifieds and audition listings
- Box of Frogs is an improv group held in Moseley every Tuesday night.
- The Traditional Arts Team have a range of social meets and workshops in performance, music and storytelling around the West Midlands.
- Sampad is a development agency for South Asian arts, they also offer work placements and opportunities for performance and artist development.
- Live Art Development Agency offers offers resources, professional development initiatives, and projects for the support and development of live art practices and critical discourses in the UK and internationally.
- Fierce Platinum Scheme supports live artists with a platform to present work in progress, and to develop individual learning plans, provide artist-led workshops and one to one mentoring from a practicing artist.
- Community Dance provides professional development with resources for funding and useful contacts within the dance industry.
- Motionhouse are based in Leamington Spa and offer professional development and training for dance artists and dance teachers, along with student placements.
(Image by Hey nadders)
The vast amount of sectors in the music industry means there are heaps of ways to find your way in. From promotional to creating the music, here are a few resources and organisations you might want to check out for news and opportunities.
- BBC Introducing supports unsigned, undiscovered and under the radar musicians.
- BBC Academy offer online courses and guides in radio, along with face to face courses.
- BBC Placements have plenty of opportunities for work experience in radio and sound departments.
- British Services have lists of radio stations in the UK, which can be browsed by County.
- Gig Guide have a decent list of recording studios around the West Midlands.
- Brumcast releases podcasts of Midlands underground music.
- Birmingham Jazz is a development agency, representing and promoting contemporary jazz in Birmingham.
- Supersonic Fest is run by Capsule, and each year has opportunities for volunteers.
- Rhubarb Radio is a station run from Digbeth, made up of over 100 volunteers, from presenting, production and web content to training new volunteers, this is a great way to gain experience, plus get involved in the community.
- Sampad is a development agency for South Asian arts, they also offer work placements and opportunities for artist development.
- Birmingham Live offer opportunites for budding music jounralists to write gig reviews.
- Punch Records offer workshops and seminars related to the music industry, along with internships at Punch.
For regular meetups and networking events in Birmingham, you may want to check out some of these;
- Birmingham Music Network works with the local community to stimulate growth, inspire, and share knowledge, through networking opportunities and events. They hold a regular networking event on the last Thursday of the month.
- Creative Networks brings together all parties involved in screen-based and sound media in the West Midlands, promoting both successful business development and collaboration.
- Moselele is a Moseley Ukelele group who meet twice a month.
Next week we'll be offering some resources for the performing arts.
(Image by zteamie)
In the realms of new media, there’s a whole load of digital sectors which may take your fancy, whether it be web design, programming, gaming or social media, there are plenty of opportunities to make the most of the current surge toward online and digital innovation.
- Ideas Tap are a creative network and funding body for emerging talent. They also provide information on jobs and opportunities in the creative industry.
- Skillset provide resources for interactive media and gaming, such as training, courses and funding opportunities.
For an industry which is heavily online, with a reputation for sitting behind a laptop, there are a surprising number of offline meetup groups, ranging from casual drinks to user groups with a focused agenda. Here some of the groups and organisations around the West Midlands;
- Multipack is a community of web developers and designers from across the West Midlands who meet every second Saturday of the month
- Digital Playground run fortnightly pub socials in Digbeth for those involved in the digital creative industries in Birmingham.
- Paradise Circus is a space for discussion amongst Birmingham Bloggers, who also hold monthly meetups at various pubs around the city.
- Tech Wednesday is a monthly tech meetup for like minded digital geeks in the Birmingham area.
- Flashmidlands is a Flash Platform User Group, focusing on the advancing techniques and features of Flash, Flex, AIR, and FMS platforms, as well as their supporting technologies.
- Birmingham Perl Mongers provide help and advice to Perl programmers from Birmingham, the Black Country and the West Midlands, and also hold tech meetings.
- fizzPOP is a hackspace for people with a wide range of skills and interests, bound by a common interest in tinkering with stuff to make something new.
- Game Central is the regional games network for the West Midlands, providing news on events.
- Hacks/ Hackers brings together journalists and hackers to help each find inspiration and think in new directions, bringing together potential collaborators for projects and new ventures.
- Midlands Macintosh User Group is a non-profit user group run for and by Apple fanatics in the West Midlands. They meet monthly with refreshments, a presentation and raffle.
- PHPWM meetings are free to attend, and open to anyone - but they're probably only of real interest to PHP programmer.
- West Midlands Ruby User Group a new social/learning group for people in/around the West Midlands who are interested in everything Ruby and/or Rails.
- Birmingham Interation Design Association believes that the human condition is increasingly challenged by poor experiences, and so intends to improve this by advancing the discipline of Interaction Design.
- Birmingham Bloggers is a space used to talk about web and social media things, plus they hold monthly bloggers meets
- Birmingham Social Media Cafe is a place for people interested in social media to gather, get acquainted, chat, plot, scheme, and share, which meets on the last Friday of the month.
There are also plenty of Social Media Cafe's further afield, if you can help build this list, please let us know of your local meet-up;
For those who are not as familiar with the uses of social media, but want to get on board with online resources, or have an idea but want to know where to start implementing it, aside from the above, you may want to
- Social Media Surgery pops up at various locations around the West Midlands, as well as further afield, offering advice to community groups, charities and local active citizens.
- Hello Digital consists of digital media events in the Midlands enabling participants to explore the modern world and open doors to new possibilities.
- Digital Brum also provides listings of upcoming events which are relevant to the digital sectors in Birmingham.
Next week we'll be offering some resources for getting into the music and sound based industries.
(Image by fdecomite)
Photography might seem like a bit of a lonely job, but whether you work commercially or as an art/ creative photographer, there are a number of groups and projects to get involved in.
- 4am project is a collection of photos from around the world taken at 4am, and is open to contribution from absolutely anyone. There are a number of events and meetups which happen in the Midlands as part of the project as a nice way of bringing people together.
- Birmingham Photospace is a voluntary organisation dedicated to establishing a permanent space for photography in Birmingham. They also post updates on photographic exhibitions around the midlands.
- Birmingham Flickrmeets take place on the second Sunday of the month, all levels of photographers are invited to bring a camera and join in with the chosen theme. There is also a Black Country Flickrmeets which take place on the last Sunday of the month.
In terms of career development, be it building a portfolio, selling work or securing an exhibition, here are a few resources to get you started;
- Rhubarb Rhubarb is a development agency for fine art photographers, offering s number of stages dependant on what stage of your photographic career you’re at. They also host a number of events and workshops throughout the year.
- Model Mayhem is a database of models, photographers, make-up artists and stylists, which once you’ve filtered through the seedy profiles, is pretty useful for fashion photographers trying to build a portfolio. There’s plenty of people who will work in exchange for prints, meaning there’s lots of room for collaboration.
- Handmade Birmingham run an independent arts market in Birmingham city centre every weekend, where you can hire a stall from £25 and sell your prints.
- We Are Birmingham sell local artwork and photography, whether you have framed prints or postcards, take your work to one of their review days to get stocked. They also have a gallery and exhibition space below the shop.
- Photography Competitions is a site dedicated to publising open photography competitions and contests from all over the world.
There are also plenty of national organisations and resources which aim to support photographers along with making clear your rights and where you stand with the law
- Association of Photographers is a membership based organisation, who give advice on copyright, one-to-one business advice, along with access to legal support. They also run an awards programme, which is open to both professionals and amateurs.
- Urban 75 outlines your legal rights as a photographer.
Next week we'll be offering a few resources for working the new media.
(Image by Savara)
While you're busy building up a portfolio of beautiful designs and artwork, it's just as useful to make people aware of what you're doing both on and offline.
Aside from a web portfolio, keeping a blog with all your fresh pieces or work in progress, along with a collection of work by others that inspire you, might help give people an idea of the sort of work you do or are interested in getting involved with.
There are also a few regular meet-ups, events and organisations for creative folk in the midlands to socialise with other people in the industry;
- Digital Playground is a Friday fortnightly pub social in Digbeth, inviting professionals and graduates in the digital creative industries to network over a casual beer.
- Multipack is a community of web developers and designers from across the West Midlands who meet every second Saturday of the month
- Likemind is organised by the Supercool team, and is an informal coffee morning which meets on the third Friday of every month. It’s free, with wi-fi and open to anyone.
- Dr Sketchy’s Anti Art School takes places in cities across the UK, challenging traditional life drawing classes by using burlesque models. The Birmingham event is held every two months at The Victoria.
- Birmingham Zine Festival features a selection of artwork from artists connected to the alternative press, along with a wide range of self-published books, comics and magazines.
- Stitches and Hos is a knitting group held at Hare & Hounds on the last Tuesday of the month.
- Extra Special People is an associate membership programme for anyone who would benefit from engaging with a dynamic, ambitious, artist-led environment, with a range of opportunities for support, networking and career development.
- An Endless Supply is a collaborative publishing project, which encompasses curated exhibitions, events and performance. You can get involved by emailing them with proposals, ideas or contributions.
- The Lombard Method is an independently run studio and project space, with an environment for mutual artistic development, learning and networking.
- VIVID provides a resource for artists and curators in the form of commissions, residencies, exhibitions, publications, research, talks and touring activities.
- Coventry Artspace offers studio space with shared facilities, with membership options.
You might also want to broaden your skills and try something new at an evening or part time course;
- mac have a range of courses and workshops, from drawing and painting to jewellery design, with courses at beginner level its a great excuse to meet new people and try something different.
- BOA @ millennium point is opening to 6th formers in 2011, specialising in digital, creative and performing arts.
Meanwhile, if you have artwork to sell or showcase it's worth getting in touch with these people;
- Handmade Birmgham hold a market in Birmingham city centre, where you can showcase and sell your work by hiring a stall for the day.
- We Are Birmingham own an independent shop selling the work of Birmingham based artists, designers and photographers. They also have a gallery/ exhibition space below the shop.
Next week we'll be offering some resources to help you find work and opportunities in the photography industry.
(Image by geishaboy500)
If you're looking for work in film and television, you don't need me to tell you that opportunities for newcomers can be few and far between, not to mention long hours for little or no money, all for that crucial bit of experience.
But if you've got the drive and ambition to stick it through the tough starting stages, here's a few things you might want to take a look at.
- BBC Trainee schemes – The beeb have got various trainee schemes in their Production, Design and Journalism departments which open throughout the year. To keep updated on when deadlines are approaching, follow them on Twitter.
- The Producers Forum is a membership based, sector-led professional organisation providing training, networking, and a cohesive lobbying voice for independent filmmakers.
- Ideas Tap are a creative network and funding body for emerging talent. They also provide information on jobs and opportunities in the creative industry.
- Royal Television Society (RTS) is the leading forum for discussion and debate on all aspects of the television community, they often hold events which are aimed at people trying to get into broadcasting.
- BECTU is the independent trade union for those working in broadcasting, film, theatre, entertainment, leisure, interactive media and allied areas. They also provide plenty of useful advice and resources including recommended rates, a tax gudie and legal FAQs.
- Community Channel broadcast original programmes that showcase the work of new directors and community filmmakers.
- Step2CollaboTV enables people from all aspects of film to forge relationships, share ideas, locate crews and promote their work.
- First Light offers funding opportunities for young filmmakers, along with industry news and updates on competitions.
- Birds Eye View celebrates and supports international women filmmakers, providing training, events, promotion and an annual festival.
- UK Film Council is the lead agency for film in the UK ensuring that the economic, cultural and educational aspects of film are effectively represented at home and abroad.
- British Film Institute (BFI) promotes understanding and appreciation of film and television heritage and culture. Established in 1933, the bfi runs a range of activities and services.
- Skillset provides resources and information on training, courses, industry knowledge and offers funding opportunities.
There are also a number of organisations in Birmingham who provide resources along with events and meetups for filmmakers and those interested in the film and broadcasting industry;
- Screen WM provide funding for films and documentaries and are also a great source of information for news on competitions, festivals , workshops and opportunities in the film industry.
- Film Forum WM hold meet ups for filmmakers around the region, held monthly at The Victoria. They also tend to post up a lot of handy information on events and opportunities in the area.
- Film Rats is a bi-monthly social event held in Birmingham, showcasing film and music, amateur or professional.
- Animation Forum – if animation is your thing you might want to register yourself here, they also organise events and meetups for animators in the West Midlands.
- Digital Brum is useful for keeping up with one off events, which may not be listed elsewhere.
- Film Birmingham is another great source for film related news and projects happening in Birmingham. They can also help with filming locations and permits around the city.
- Locations is a collaboration between Screen WM and Film Birmingham, and is a database of locations, crews, facilities and film enquires in the West Midlands.
There are also lots of competitions and festivals which pop up all the time, and are a great way of getting your name into the industry if you have a short film, documentary or animation already completed. We’ll try to update on some of these when we spot them, but for more reliable sources, make sure you check some of the sites listed above.
Next week we'll be offering some resources for the art & design industry.
(Image by fredcamino)
This is the first in a regular series of resources for those working in the creative industries. Over the next few weeks we'll be looking at particular areas of work but, to kick things off, we're taking a more general look at things.
Getting down to business
There are some good resources out there for small and start up businesses, and plenty of opportunities for finding support from a range of organisations, meaning you don’t have to go it alone. On a national level, try:
- The CBI, the UK's business lobbying organisation
- Chamber of Commerce is the national body for a network of Accredited Chambers of Commerce across the UK
- Business Link offers plenty of advice for all types of businesses, but they're closing in November this year so, if you want to get in touch with them, be quick
There are quite a few West Midlands-based organisations offering support as well as a range of events to meet with other people:
- The occasional Know Your Place events offer advice on gaining work and are a good way of meeting others in the same boat
- The Birmingham Entrepreneur Meetup Group is held on the last Wednesday of the month, and allows for the discussion of ideas, tips and advice between other entrepreneurs.
- BSEEN offer start up businesses and entrepreneurs an incubation space with £500 a month grant, mentoring, training and networking opportunities for those who have graduated within the last four years living in Birmingham.
- PLOT is a part of Light House, who give free support to creative businesses in Wolverhampton and the Black Country.
- Birmingham Future is Birmingham’s leading membership organisation for young professionals working in the professional and financial services sectors. They also aim to cover the creative sector a little
- Birmingham Forward is an independent, inclusive, not-for-profit membership organisation
- Coventry and Warwickshire First facilitate business development by providing information, intelligence, marketing and networking opportunities
- ICE (Institute of Creative Enterprise) offers business support and desk space for new cultural and creative businesses and organisations
For events and organisations further afield, take a look at:
- Startup Mill is a free community event for aspiring entrepreneurs to develop ideas in a supportive environment. They currently hold regular events in Manchester and Sheffield, along with others around the UK. Check their events for the next ones near you.
- UK Business Forum is a popular online community of business people
- It's worth signing up to the daily email updates from Business Desk WM and The Birmingham Post
What have we missed?
Are there are any resources out there that you've found particularly useful? If so, whether they're membership organisations, meet-ups, blogs, forums or something else entirely, let us know in the comments.
Trying to get into the media and creative industries is hard, especially if you’re on the outside. From a job-seekers view, it may seem like there’s no way in, as an industry that’s all about making contacts, how on earth do you even find these people?
The truth is, there are events popping up all over the place for various industry sectors in the media, but if you don’t know where to look they can easily be missed. A number of websites provide links to listings and events which may be one offs, so keeping upto date is big plus if you don’t want to miss out.
- Livebrum often list events, workshops and networking opportunities amongst their listings.
- Along with Digitalbrum, which pulls out all the events relevant to digital media.
- Screen West Midlands have a calender listing plenty of film and media related events around the Midlands.
Regular events
- Know Your Place is a free event which offers advice for freelancers, graduates and gaining new work, with guest speakers from the industry to offer their own advice. The event also allows time for networking with speakers and fellow delegates.
- Media Evening is a chance for anyone in the media and creative industries to meet up for casual drinks and get to know each other.
- Likemind is organised by the Supercool team, and is an informal coffee morning which meets on the third Friday of every month. It’s free, with wi-fi and open to anyone.
- Emerge Networking is a monthly networking event organised by Coventry University at The Institute for Creative Enterprise.
Over the next few weeks we’ll be giving you information on some more specific sectors of the media, if you think there’s any key players we need to feature, or you spot anything we’ve missed, please let us know.
In the meantime, take a look at the interviews on Mind The Gap, there are a few great pearls of wisdom from people in the creative industries, along with the replies to this post on Creative Review offering advice to recent graduates.
Next week we'll be featuring resources for small businesses, start-ups and freelancers.
(Image by Gardener_24)
Another date for ya diaries... in fact, it's probably all a bit late for that, so forget ya diaries and just head down there later!
