Tim, who is a board member for Vibrant Shropshire, had the pleasure of attending a vibrant and inspiring cultural celebration hosted by Vibrant Shropshire. The event was a testament to the thriving arts scene in our region, showing the incredible talent and creativity that has been fostered through recent arts commissioning.
It was a fantastic opportunity to see first-hand the results of Vibrant Shropshire’s commitment to supporting and promoting the arts in our community. Vibrant Shropshire’s Cultural Compact is part of the national network of cultural compacts supported and funded by Arts Council England (ACE) and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and facilitated by Shropshire Council.
The evening featured a diverse range of presentations and performances, each highlighting a unique aspect of Shropshire’s artistic landscape. Several projects funded through Vibrant Shropshire were showcased.
Another compelling initiative featured was Stage Five Theatre’s free junior workshops, offering training in mime, dance, drama, and stage combat. This year saw the welcome return of Tom Jordan, a stage combat expert and Royal Shakespeare Company Associate, who collaborated with actor John Cooper-Edwards and Penny Jones and Abi Johns from Montgomeryshire Youth Theatre. The workshops culminated in a dynamic staging of the famous Battle of Maserfield, a pivotal moment in Saxon history. This battle is intrinsically linked to the origin of Oswestry’s name via the killing of King Oswald of Northumbria was slain and then associated with a tree. This tree, known as ‘Oswald’s Tree,’ became a significant landmark, eventually giving rise to the town’s name, ‘Oswestry.’
One such project was Jenna Blair Yoga’s initiative to provide free yoga classes in rural communities across Shropshire. With a grant, Jenna Blair Yoga brought the benefits of yoga, including improved physical and mental wellbeing, to areas where rural isolation can be a challenge. Classes were offered in Wem, Craven Arms, Ludlow and Snailbeach.
Another exciting project highlighted was “A Wizard’s Birthday,” organized by ShireFolk in Bridgnorth. This event transformed Bridgnorth into a magical place, celebrating Harry Potter’s birthday with themed events, activities, and costumes. It was such a success in terms of extra footfall that marketing was pulled back and even then the town was at capacity, sustaining a wonderful boost to the economy of the town.
Also presented was a Summer Dance Celebration run by Shropshire Inclusive Dance (SID). We were shown a captivating video and heard a moving description of this truly remarkable and inclusive celebration. This event, made possible by Vibrant Shropshire’s support, brought together dancers of all abilities, ages, and backgrounds for an afternoon of pure joy and artistic expression. Even through the video, the energy was beautiful as dancers moved to the rhythm, each expressing themselves in their own unique way. It was a powerful reminder of the transformative power of dance to break down barriers and create a sense of belonging. The event, as described and shown, was a testament to the fact that dance is for everyone, regardless of physical limitations or prior experience. The smiles on the dancers’ faces, captured in the video, were infectious, and the sheer joy radiating from the performers was a highlight of the presentations. It was clear that this dance celebration had a profound impact on everyone involved. We were truly inspired by the talent and passion on display, and it was evident that this dance celebration had a profound impact on everyone who attended.
The evening also highlighted the vital work of Upstart Projects, the charity behind Voice, which empowers young people aged 13-30 to engage with the arts and media. Upstart Projects is actively working to address the disparity in access to creative careers, aiming to challenge the finding that young people from privileged backgrounds are twice as likely to work in creative jobs as those from working classes. Voice, their public platform, provides arts magazine content, outreach projects, training, work experience, commissions, and jobs. Notably, with support from Vibrant Shropshire, they’ve established young arts reviewer groups in partnership with Shrewsbury College and Ludlow College. These groups offer training and mentorship, providing young people with skills in reviewing arts and cultural events. The reviewers have benefited from workshops led by Voice Editor Tom, and from insights shared by visiting professionals, including BBC Radio journalists, theatre directors, and podcasters. They have also enjoyed behind-the-scenes experiences at venues like Theatre Severn and BBC Radio studios, and have reviewed a wide range of events from theatre productions to outdoor festivals and even a Ceilidh, all supported by local arts and cultural organizations. Upstart Projects, through Voice, is demonstrably creating pathways for young people from less advantaged backgrounds to participate meaningfully in the arts.
Other projects which were funded were:
- Arts for Health
- ArtShack
- Bishops Castle Walking Festival
- Broseley Cinema
- CultureKind
- Chinese Community
- Designs in Mind
- Gather
- MediaActive Projects
- Nick Fogg
- Oswestry Community Action – Qube
- Oswestry Memorial Hall PACC
- Pentabus Arts Rural Art Hub
- Shrewsbury Arts Trail*
- Shropshire Festivals
- Shropshire Hills National Landscape Partnership
- Shropshire Youth Theatre*
- Shropshire Inclusive Dance
- Stage Five Theatre*
- Upstart Projects*
- Wem Town Hall*
Those marked * have partnered with Soulton in some form.
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It was evident that Vibrant Shropshire’s commissioning has played a crucial role in empowering local artists to push boundaries and explore new creative avenues. The projects presented not only demonstrated artistic excellence but also highlighted the power of art to engage, inspire, and connect communities.
The event also provided a valuable platform for networking and collaboration.
We left the event feeling energized and inspired, with a renewed appreciation for the vital role that organizations like Vibrant Shropshire play in nurturing and celebrating our region’s artistic talent. It was a reminder of the transformative power of art and its ability to enrich our lives and communities.
We congratulate Vibrant Shropshire on a successful event and commend them for their ongoing dedication to supporting the arts in Shropshire. We look forward to witnessing the continued growth and evolution of our region’s cultural landscape.
