In March we hosted a number of inspiring, positive and productive online conversations with West Midlands artists and creatives. The sessions were facilitated by locally-based creatives, and we thank all who attended for sharing their thoughts, opinions and ideas so openly and honestly.

We took these discussions and ideas to a virtual planning day with our Board of Trustees where we re-examined our purpose, what we have learned in the last year and what the city and region needs us to offer for the future.

Following on from the positive day with our Board, we would now like to invite all West Midlands artists and creatives to follow up sessions in June where we will share initial plans for how we hope to make the Hippodrome a more open, welcoming and developmental home for you.

In these sessions we want to hear your thoughts in response to the plans and further explore with you what might be most helpful to artists and creatives over the coming months and years.

Both sessions will again be facilitated by locally-based creatives and BSL interpreted. We will welcome challenge and answer questions openly and transparently and see this as a space for learning and to plan for a more supportive region for artists and creatives.

For this stage, we will host two sessions, open to all artists and creatives:

  • Monday 7 June, 6.30-8.30pm, Open Session, facilitated by Amerah Saleh. To sign up for this session click here.
  • Wednesday 9 June, 6.30-8.30pm, Open Session, facilitated by Adam Carver. To sign up for this session click here.

We will also be holding further, specific group follow up conversations during the coming months.

We look forward to meeting everyone who can join the conversations, and to building a fairer and more equitable Birmingham – and Hippodrome – for artists and creatives together.