Grant Successes

Congratulations to two Coventry organisations who have been been awarded Youth Music Open Programme grants this month.

EGO Performance in Coventry will be working with young people from all over the city who have been requesting this music programme, to develop their instrumental, aural, vocal and songwriting skills as well as broadening their musical appreciation across different genres of music.

Meanwhile Coventry Creative Futures will provide a regular timetable of music sessions in four priority neighbourhoods in Coventry with high levels of crime and anti-social behaviour.

Rugby based Empowered Project also has a grant to develop music provision with its targeted groups of young people in Rugby and Daventry, including those at risk of exclusion, with low esteem, NEET, within the youth justice system and young carers. The programme will also develop a team of young music leaders through training and work experience.

Youth Music has been receiving record numbers of applications for the Open Programme this year, and we are very sorry that we cannot fund all the strong applications we receive. Commiserations to those who worked hard on applications and were not successful.

We are working to raise funds from private sources to supplement our lottery and other income, in order to be able to fund more valuable music work with young people.

Other projects are also ongoing, funded by Youth Music Open Programme or Power Play, including:

Walsall NACRO
Nuneaton (Camp Hill) Warwickshire County Youth Service
Indigo Arts, Redditch
Bentley Schools Cluster, Willenhall, Walsall
Wolverhampton Young Voices
Hillfields Children’s Centre, Coventry
Grove Community Project, Handsworth, Birmingham
B Arts – Crossfade project, Newcastle-under-Lyme/ Stoke-on-Trent
Worcestershire Arts Education pupil referral project
Armonico Consort – AC Academies, Coventry and Stratford-upon-Avon
Hybrid Arts – Leamington Spa and Nuneaton
Sandwell Youth Music – early years and families project
Devonshire Infants School, Sandwell – drumming club

Youth Music Action Zone

sound futures (Birmingham)

November 30th was a big date in sound futures calendar this year.

Young people from Birmingham’s Youth Music Action Zone joined a spectacular line-up of performers on stage at Birmingham Town Hall to mark the 20th anniversary of sampad, leading development agency for South Asian arts.

The performance entitled ‘Out of Many, One’ was the culmination of an intensive 5 week programme of professionally led workshops and featured Bhangra drumming, Nasheed choirs, beatboxing, Bollywood dance and animation. The partnership project drew together young people from twenty diverse settings and communities across Birmingham.

sound futures YMAZ is hosted by mac, and runs a range of projects in the Hodge Hill district of Birmingham. www.soundfutures.org

Youth Music Voices was launched in the West Midlands in October at CBSO Centre in Birmingham, with a lively day of singing in all kinds of styles, led by Artistic Director Richard Frostick and a team of local vocal leaders. Over 80 young people attended, some with their regular singing groups, others individually, and everyone was keen to sign up for the selection events for the national Youth Music Voices ensemble which will perform during the Cultural Olympiad in 2012. Many thanks to CBSO Chorus for hosting the event.

http://www.youthmusic.org.uk/musicispower/What-We-Do/Encourage-Talent-Potential/Youth-Music-Voices.html

MusicLeader West Midlands News

In the New Year MusicLeader West Midlands will be launching ‘Crossing Borders’ – a new cross-region initiative to help music leaders develop new skills and widen their horizons. Working in partnership with MusicLeader South West, MLWM is running Ruth Jones’ highly successful Project Management course in Birmingham and Gloucester. Crossing Borders is a 5-part course for music leaders, specially developed for those using music or the arts to work with young people. The course provides high-quality step by step training in effective project management, and the chance to meet music leaders working in other locations.

MLWM is holding an Elham Taster Event on Friday 28 January 2011 (postponed from December) as a preview to the forthcoming Elham Training Programme, which will run throughout early 2011, focusing on developing practical skills for working within Islamic contexts, including Nasheed and Qawalli repertoire, vocal skills, workshop delivery techniques and cultural and social issues surrounding music in Islam. If you are a musician (including vocalists, percussionists, poets) interested in facilitating workshops or teaching children and young people Islamic music in Birmingham, then come along to the free Elham Taster Event to find out more.

More information about all of MusicLeader West Midlands’ upcoming courses can be found at http://www.musicleader.net/content.asp?CategoryID=1087&ArticleID=932

Warwickshire Boys Choir

Many congratulations to Warwickshire Boys Choir and their leader Garry Jones of Warwickshire County Music Service, who reached the finals of Choir of the Year. The choir was formed from boys singing groups all over the county which were launched through a Youth Music grant in 2008. The only open access choir in the finals, the Warwickshire Boys Choir has over 70 members between 8 and 13 years old, who performed a varied programme with gusto, from the Blues Brothers to Poulenc in French!

Regional Plans

Youth Music Regional Executive Officers worked with partners during 2010 on regional plans which will be published on the website in early 2011. The plans outline our priorities in the region under our 4 goals:

Early years
Children and young people in challenging circumstances
Encouraging talent and potential
Workforce development

The Henley Review

In September this year, Secretary of State for Education, Michael Gove announced a review of music education and invited views to feed into the process led by Darren Henley. Youth Music’s response highlighted the need for better joining up of formal and informal music making, and for a musical entitlement which includes those in challenging circumstances and hard to reach, and goes beyond the opportunity to learn an instrument or sing, to recognize the whole musical child. The full response is available at: http://www.teachingmusic.org.uk/story.aspx?lngStoryID=16711

Youth Music Research and Evaluation team Dr Douglas Lonie and Dr Luke Dickens ran the first Outcomes training day in the regions during November and December to help our funded programmes plan, evaluate and provide evidence of the impact of their work.

The two researchers are in the process of working on evidence reviews to help Youth Music and others make the case for the impact music has on young people’s lives. So far, reviews of early years music making, and music with looked after children, have been published.

See

http://www.youthmusic.org.uk/musicispower/Research/Research.html

Education Arts Service West Midlands

EAS WM (Education Arts Service West Midlands) is the FREE online resource for arts and education professionals working with children and young people.

Highlights:

* Arts Directory – a searchable directory of CRB-checked artists and arts organisations. You can create a free profile to showcase your work, and search the Directory for suitable partners

* E-bulletins – subscribe to receive our fortnightly bulletin with all of the latest news about events, funding, training opportunities, and creative initiatives

* News and Events – to share news, events, and case studies from projects

* Knowledgebase – search for resources, funders, and contacts

For more information or to register visit: www.easwestmidlands.org.uk

Funded by Arts Council England

Thank you

Many thanks for reading, I look forward to hearing from you next year.

With best wishes for a happy Christmas and a musical New Year,

………………………………………………………..

Christina Timms

Regional Executive Officer – West Midlands

Youth Music

………………………………………………………..

T 07738 147733

www.youthmusic.org.uk

………………………………………………………..

Youth Music is the leading UK

charity using music to transform

the lives of disadvantaged

children and young people.

Registered charity 1075032.

………………………………………………………..

This message is intended only for use of the addressee and may contain information that is privileged, confidential and exempt from disclosure under applicable law. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, or the employee or agent responsible for delivering the message to the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received this e-mail in error, please notify us immediately by returning this e-mail and then delete this e-mail and all attachments from your system.

CLIC Sargent Practice-a-thon – Raise money practising your music!
Practice-a-thon is a national fundraising event for young singers, dancers and musicians…where they practice and perform, to raise money for children with cancer. It’s about getting the best out of young performers and in turn helping CLIC Sargent give the best support possible to children with cancer. The event has been running for several years and we are looking to raise £90,000 this year.

Have fun and develop your pupils or groups skills

For all ages an abilities, any instrument and any singing or dancing style

Your school or club can choose to keep 25% of the money you raise and the remaining 75% goes to children with cancer

CLIC Sargent provides participants with a fantastic FREE fundraising pack with everything they need, including: sponsor forms, stickers, parental consent form, event ideas and lots more.

To register and get involved – just visit http://www.clicsargent.org.uk/practiceathon”>www.clicsargent.org.uk/practiceathon

Who is CLIC Sargent?

Imagine being told your child has cancer. It has to be a parent’s worst nightmare. Sadly, every day 10 families are told that their child has cancer. Diagnosis often comes as a shock. Treatment usually starts straightaway and can last up to three years. As the children’s cancer charity, CLIC Sargent is there… with clinical, practical and emotional support, every step of the way through their cancer journey. In the West Midlands we have dedicated staff providing our services, based at the children’s cancer treatment centres for region; Birmingham Children’s Hospital, The Queen Elizabeth & Worcestershire Royal.

Artwork Training: Putting Young People at the Core of Youth Arts
2nd March 2011, 10 am- 4.15 pm, Royal and Derngate, Northampton
Special Rate Fee – £75
Artswork is pleased to announce the launch of a NEW Youth Arts Training Course: ‘Putting Young People at the Core of Youth Arts’ which is being piloted on the 2nd March 2011, 10 am- 4.15 pm at Royal and Derngate in Northampton, as part of the Artsplan Professional Development Programme.
 
Putting young people at the core of youth arts is a one day course designed to demonstrate how young people can be empowered more effectively as decision makers at the core of youth arts. The course will examine the benefits of integrating young people’s voices into your organisation, both in terms of benefits for your organisation and for the young people involved. The course will include inspirational examples of young people who are working at the core of youth arts and a wide range of practical tips about how to involve young people more fully in your own work.
This one day course follows the journey of youth participation – exploring attitudes towards young people as decision makers and the routes that a young person can take from being a youth arts project participant to an active and informed decision maker in an arts organisation. It then moves onto exploring your current practice before celebrating the range of structures available in the youth arts sector for putting young people at the core of an organisation. The day concludes with a reflection on your own practice and your aspirations for involving young people in your future work.
 
All participants will receive a certificate of attendance upon successful completion of the course and a wealth of practical resources. Artsplan is subsidising the cost of the training in return for a short 20 minute feedback session with participants at the end of the day. The cost of training has therefore been reduced to £75* (normal training charges vary from £110-£150) which includes all training resources, lunch, refreshments and certification.
For more information on the course and to book a place, please contact The Artsplan Team, on artsplan@artswork.org.uk or call 02380 682 535.
 

Paul Hamlyn Foundation Arts Programme (UK)
The Paul Hamlyn Foundation is currently accepting applications under its Arts Open Grants Programme from formally constituted organisations. The programme seeks to support the development and dissemination of new ideas to increase people’s experience, enjoyment and involvement in the arts, and will support projects that have a valuable impact for individuals and communities, organisations, and policy practice. 
 
Previous organisations supported include: Space which received a grant of £25,000 to support new collaborative approaches to creative learning through a three-year programme of project based co-learning and professional development for teachers, artists and young people; and the Anjali Dance Company which received a grant of £40,500 over two years to demonstrate how people with learning disabilities can develop careers in dance through the employment of a learning disabled leader/ambassador and through the refinement of a traineeship model that can be used for future trainees and by other organisations. 
 
There is a two stage application process. First stage applications can be made at any time. Those that are successful will be invited to make a second stage application. For more information visit: www.phf.org.uk/page.asp?id=750

Paul Hamlyn Foundation – Education and Learning
The Open Grant Scheme supports innovative ways of increasing people’s learning.  It funds the development, implementation and dissemination of new ideas to increase learning by people of all ages in the UK. There is no minimum or maximum grant size and applicants should request the amount they need.
 
The Foundation normally expects the amount requested to be a substantial part of the amount required to fund a distinct activity or a substantial part of the work of the applicant organisation.
 
The length of grant depends on the activity proposed and its intended outcomes and impact.  The Foundation is keen to allow applicants sufficient time to deliver substantial work and, therefore, tends to fund work for up to three years.  On occasion it may indicate a willingness to consider funding for a longer period up to a maximum of six years, but usually this would comprise an initial grant followed by the applicant making an application for further support at a later date.
 
This programme funds the development, implementation and dissemination of new ideas that have the potential to make a significant contribution to young people’s learning and achievement. The scheme provides funding in support of projects addressing the following themes:
Supplementary education.
Developing speaking and listening for 11-19 year olds.
Add to the learning – preventing school truancy and exclusion.
 
For more information, visit: Paul Hamlyn Foundation website

 www.the-challenge.org/work-with-us/summer-roles/

deadline: 1 February 2011

The Fidelio Charitable Trust funds educational institutions and third sector organisations active in the UK. The Arts Grant is intended to support talented individuals or groups who are unable to reach their potential without financial support.

In particular, the programme wishes to fund work in the following areas:
• Dramatic arts
• Operatic arts
• Music
• Speech
• Dance

www.fideliocharitabletrust.org.uk

deadline: 28 February 2011

Heart Research UK Healthy Heart Grants support innovative projects designed to promote heart health and to prevent or reduce the risks of heart disease in specific groups or communities. Grants of up to £10,000 are available to community groups, voluntary organisations and researchers who are spreading the healthy heart message.

One of last year’s recipients was Activate Arts in Liverpool, whose ‘Beat It’ project used performing and creative arts to help 12 to 16-year-olds from disadvantaged areas explore the importance of a heart healthy diet and exercise.

www.heartresearch.org.uk/healthy_heart_grants.htm

Cabinet Office announces funding for European Year of Volunteering in England – posted: 20.1.2011

area: England

A number of small scale contracts and grants have been made available to support initiatives promoting the 2011 European Year of Volunteering in England. The purpose of this dedicated year is to support member states and their voluntary sector organisations to facilitate the development of volunteering.

The Office for Civil Society (OCS) has identified national priorities relevant to the Big Society ideals and is seeking organisations to deliver initiatives supporting these ideals:
• Enabling people to contribute to their local communities and relieve social problems through volunteering.
• Encouraging employer supported volunteering (ESV) programmes through information sharing between the public, private and civil society sectors.
• Sharing best practice in relation to volunteer management.
• Expanding volunteering opportunities to include those not traditionally engaged in volunteering.

Three contracting opportunities are available:

Employer Supported Volunteering Lead
This contract is available for organisations which can promote and develop good practice within the private, public and voluntary and community sector in relation to effective employer supported volunteering (ESV) programmes.

Volunteer Management Lead
This contract is available for organisations which can develop and share good practice relating to effective volunteer management.

Opening the Door to Volunteering Lead
This contract is available for organisations to promote volunteering to groups not traditionally engaged in volunteering activities, particularly those from socially excluded groups.

Additionally a number of grants will be made available to five organisations, or consortia of organisations to deliver projects addressing five themes:
• Young people and children – March and April
• Environment – May and June
• Sport – July and August
• Culture and the arts – September and October
• Health and social care – November and December

A further grant will be made available to one organisation to diffuse the learning which will emerge from the supported activities. This organisation will work with lead organisations to identify key points and share them with OCS, across government and the voluntary and community sector.

For further information on these opportunities please email eyv2011@cabinet-office.x.gsi.gov.uk stating which opportunity is being enquired about.

World Community Arts Day – your invitation to join in – posted: 20.1.2011

dates: 17 February 2011

The 5th World Community Arts Day will take place on Thursday 17 February 2011, and organisers are inviting people to be part of this global celebration. All they ask is that on 17 February you carry out an arts project, however big or small, and be creative about an issue that you believe promotes ‘caring and sharing’.

You could sing, dance, present a piece of theatre, draw, paint, write, make, photograph, lecture, walk, tour, talk or teach – anything that you feel is creative. If you have a website of your own, mark the event on there.

Over the past few years, World Community Arts Day has seen involvement from Brazil, Slovenia, Scotland, Australia, USA, Ireland, Mexico and many more. For more information visit www.communiversity.org.uk/worldcommunityartsday.htm.