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BIRMINGHAM

Birmingham Music Education Hub

Birmingham Cultural Education Partnership

Here's a sample of some of the arts organisations in Birmingham....

Click here to read a history of Birmingham's arts & culture

Some of the many famous artists and cultural figures from Birmingham:

• Kenny Baker – Actor

• Pato Banton – Reggae artist

• Dan Bull – Musician/ Youtuber

• Edward Burne-Jones – Pre-Raphaelite painter and William Morris Associate

• Ali Campbell and Robin Campbell – Musician, UB40

• Arthur Darvill – Actor and singer-Doctor Who

• Richard Hammond – Broadcaster, Top Gear 

• Tony Hancock – Comedian and actor

• Adrian Lester – Actor

• Joe Lycett – Comedian

• Laura Mvula – singer-songwriter

• Ocean Colour Scene – Band from Moseley

• Ozzy Osbourne – Singer, Black Sabbath

• Pat Roach – Actor and wrestler

• Sukshinder Shinda – English-born Punjabi music producer and artist

• Julie Walters – Actress

• Roy Wood – Musician, co-founder of the Electric Light Orchestra

• Benjamin Zephaniah – Poet

• ​Aidan Davis – Dancer and TV Presenter

Birmingham

What does your Virtual School believe that ARTS (music, dance, drama, art, literature, digital, etc) and CULTURE (museums, libraries, historic places of interest etc) offer your young people?

It offers them an opportunity to experience something they may not have previously known about or had an interest in before. They can learn about the history of Birmingham, the people, its culture, current development and future aspirations and importantly how they are a part of that story.

Describe / list your Virtual School’s local arts and cultural offer. Are there any arts & cultural organisations/venues/events you’d particularly recommend for care experienced young people in your area?

• Music lessons for Years 4 - 7

• The REP – bursary places for The Young REP youth theatre 7+ years old (whole academic year from Sep 2021) – places are limited so please let me know if you are interested to start in September.

• We work in partnership with The REP and could offer a Playwriting project to a whole school class

• Artslink website with lots of online pre-recorded material and upcoming events

• Information on achieving an Arts Award

• WMVS CIC Foundation: YouTube channel

Any particularly effective or successful partnerships and projects that you currently have/previously have had with local artists or arts organisations?

We have a fantastic partnership with many organisations such as The REP, The Music Service, Evolve and Artslink. Together we have offered bespoke school projects, give it a go events with many different activities such as pottery, drumming, dancing and rapping workshops. Students have also had a chance to develop their musical skills by learning an instrument in schools. We are always looking for new and exciting ways to offer creative experiences to our young people.

What local arts events or venues are you personally looking forward to visiting once they open after the latest lockdown?

I love visiting the MAC at Cannon Hill Park. I enjoy the relaxed atmosphere, the café and of course the exhibitions, shows, films and workshops they offer for individuals and families.

Meet your Virtual School's Arts Champion

We asked Kelly Truscott from Birmingham Virtual School about her arts interests:

Q: What was the first live music gig/concert you went to?

Kelly: The Hitman Roadshow. It was a concert with some of the biggest names at the time, including Big Fun and Sonia

Q: If you were in a film or story, which character would you like to be?

Kelly: Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz

​

Q: Quick fire questions: choose one option for each quick fire question. Would you prefer to…

• Dance or watch TV? Dance

• Art gallery or cinema? Cinema

• Be in a performance or be in the audience ? Performance 

What is your favourite arts activity to do ?

Kelly: I love watching Hip Hop theatre such as Breakin' Convention, ZooNation and the musical Hamilton, as they incorporate dance, music and theatre together.