We are delighted to be working with creative group GRIT and young people in Nuneaton & Bedworth
We have been quiet over the last few months, planning what our focus will be for the future.
During this period, we have been connecting with and getting to know some very exciting artistic names and projects across Nuneaton & Bedworth. The most important thing to take away from this blog is that you need to keep your eyes on this borough of Warwickshire over the next 18 months!
But, in the meantime, we’re delighted to tell you all about a new art collective in Nuneaton and how you can get involved with them now.
Nuneaton explores creativity
You may have seen that, recently, the NBBC (Nuneaton & Bedworth Borough Council) launched what they are calling a ‘Creative Explorers’ strategy – this is a mission to see some pretty major art projects and events take place in Nuneaton & Bedworth over the next couple of years.
What do the people of Nuneaton and Bedworth want from culture, how can we make that happen, and what will that mean for future culture of Warwickshire?
These are just some of the important questions being discussed at the moment.
Creative Borough Launch
We attended the launch of this initiative back in October 2023, and loved hearing about everything planned for the borough.
We are delighted to have been asked to be part of this exciting chapter for the area, and learning what companies like Imagineer, Artichoke and GRIT have planned.
Some of our posts on X from the day, give you an idea of how exciting this step is for the area.
Further reading
If you want to find out more about the wider plans for Nuneaton & Bedworth, you can use the links below.
“The key questions for culture in Nuneaton and Bedworth are: ‘What do people value in Nuneaton and Bedworth’s creative arts and heritage sectors, how do we sustain these, and what do local groups and organisations need to develop and achieve greater things?’”
NBBC Creative Borough Launch
Oh, hey, GRIT!
Anyway – in our mission to support and stand with this next important artistic chapter for Warwickshire, we’re honoured that the incredible artists collective GRIT has officially joined our collective of partner organisations.
Nuneaton-based GRIT (or Grit Art Central) is a group of artists who create out of a pop-up, creative space on Coventry Street in the town centre.
They are: visual and transit artist Alisha Miller; street artist Nathan Parker (n4t4); theatre director and creative producer Simon Winterman.
The artists are currently working on various art projects with Nuneaton’s communities. More concrete details are to be announced soon but the words that pop up in our meetings with them, like ‘industrial heritage’, ‘innovation’, ‘community’, ‘landscape artworks’, ‘large-scale’, ‘street portraits’, ‘local’, ‘physical performance’ and ‘outdoor festival’ should give you a good taster of what is to come!
Their website is also a good starting place to find out more.
Spaces for the community
GRIT will be working closely with the community of Nuneaton & Bedworth to bring a whole range of projects to life. Until then, don’t forget that their new space in the town is open now, free to enter and designed to bring the art community together.
Grit Art Central
7 Coventry Street
Nuneaton
Warwickshire
CV11 5TD
“What is art? What is creativity? What does it mean to us as locals? We now finally have a space in Nuneaton where we can come together to talk about these things. Passing by and interested in talking to us about your art? Pop in! Our doors are open.”
Simon, GRIT
Pop in and find out what you can get involved with today.
So, what is Shout Out for the Arts’ involvement?
The important question for us over the coming weeks is how can we be part of some of these projects?
How can we work with the likes of GRIT to bring an element of ‘youth-led’ into the brilliant work happening in these areas of Nuneaton & Bedworth? How do we ensure that, in keeping with our mission, young people can have a voice and an opportunity to lead?
We can’t wait to tackle these questions, and more.
Stay tuned for more as we take the first step into this exciting new chapter together.
GRIT is part of Creative Explorers, an 18-month cultural programme led by Nuneaton & Bedworth Borough Council in partnership with Imagineer, Warwickshire County Council and Artichoke. It is supported by Arts Council England, The May 1961 Charitable Foundation and the Paul Hamlyn Trust.
Shout Out for the Arts Warwickshire 