Dear Neighbourhood Creatives…
China Plate is delighted to announce we are working in Washwood Heath in Birmingham over the next three years, designing creative opportunities in collaboration with the people who live and work there, as part of a co-creation project called Neighbourhood Creatives.
Washwood Heath is an area in North Birmingham, part of the Hodge Hill district and bordering the wards of Saltley, Alum Rock and Pelham. Ward End Park and the local lake sit at the heart of the neighbourhood, alongside community venues like the Dolphin Centre, Unity Hubb, and Ward End Wellbeing Centre.
Over Spring and Summer 2025 we’ve been meeting with people from across the area to better understand what’s already happening there, who is involved, and what else we could make together. Following on from these initial conversations we have linked up with local partners, who we will be working with from now until Spring 2026 to each host a bespoke artist residency.
Our local partners include Braidwood School For The Deaf, Hodge Hill College, Hodge Hill Arts Forum and the Washwood Heath Adaption & Sustainability Hub (WASH), who will collaborate with jewellery maker and visual artist, Maral Mamaghanizadeh; Birmingham based writer and theatre deviser, Rochi Rampal and multidisciplinary artist and educator, Nilupa Yasmin.
Alongside these residencies we’ll be continuing to have conversations about:
- Projects that bring artists together with community groups
- Local festivals of workshops and performances
- Lasting legacy for the area
This will lead to further events, activities, and opportunities from now until 2027.
We are really excited to be expanding our local networks and conversations with individuals and organisations across Washwood Heath as we work together to design creative opportunities which feel right for them and will benefit their neighbourhood. This follows on from our work connecting artists with people across Birmingham through projects including On Our Way, We Still Here and Soho Settlers.
If you’d like to get in touch about the programme, please email our Producer Abbie White at [email protected] – if you have a link to Washwood Heath, we’re especially keen to hear from you!
Sign up to receive our monthly newsletter: http://bit.ly/CPMailinglist to be kept up to date on upcoming events and activities. For more information, visit the project page.
© Brand design by Katherine Tromans