Discover & Uncover – connecting schools with arts and culture

Conference launched to promote cultural partnerships throughout the West Midlands.

Birmingham Arts Partnership, a partnership made up of 14 arts and cultural organisations, is inviting teachers and educational professionals to a special event to discover the range, breadth and depth of arts and culture available to pupils across the West Midlands. The conference takes place on 22 October, 8am – 12.30pm at mac Birmingham.

The day will include a key note address from Professor Mick Waters, who is passionate about the role of education in improving life chances for pupils, and from Roxana Silbert, Artistic Director of The Rep. Teachers will have a chance to discover the offer from 14 BAP member organisations, all of whom have a mission to connect with schools and young people and tell the organisations involved about the needs of their schools.

During the morning attendees will have the opportunity to attend a number of breakout sessions that will allow them to take part in workshops or listen to presentations from BAP members about their offer to schools. Session vary and include ‘How to make ballet accessible for all’ led by Birmingham Royal Ballet, ‘Composing in the secondary classroom’ with Birmingham Contemporary Music Group to ‘How schools can get involved in the World Festival of Theatre for Young Audiences’, the first time the festival will be held in the UK with The REP, to ‘Singing Playgrounds’ with ExCathedra.

Pearl Chesterman, Director for Learning, Birmingham Royal Ballet said: “Discover and Uncover will provide a unique opportunity for Head Teachers to discover the range of arts opportunities on offer by Birmingham’s Arts Organisations, and give the chance to uncover the wealth of possibilities that will enrich your school and support your pupils and communities.”

BAP partners are: Birmingham Contemporary Music Group (BCMG), Birmingham Hippodrome, Birmingham Museums, Birmingham Opera Company, Birmingham Repertory Theatre, Birmingham Royal Ballet, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO), DanceXchange, The Drum, Ex Cathedra, Ikon Gallery, mac Birmingham, Sampad, Town Hall Symphony Hall. The event has been supported by Arts Connect West Midlands.

For further information or to book your place online visit www.macbirmingham.co.uk/event/discover-and-uncover/. Attendance costs £20 + vat.