Washwood Heath Art Project
A 3-year arts programme designed in collaboration with communities in Washwood Heath in Birmingham.
- 28th February 2025 - 31st July 2027
- By China Plate
We’ve been commissioned to work in Washwood Heath in Birmingham over the next three years, designing arts opportunities in collaboration with the people who live there.
Birmingham is currently experiencing one of the UK’s biggest engineering and infrastructure projects of the century, HS2, which will link the city with a brand-new rail service to London.
The impact of the works, as well as the opportunities the new line, station and servicing sites will have on the West Midlands region, have been and will be transformative. Nowhere more so than for the communities living around the new depot being built in Washwood Heath.
China Plate have been commissioned by HS2, in collaboration with building contractors Balfour Beatty VINCI, to work with people from across Washwood Heath to develop creative projects in the area over the next three years, leading towards a lasting piece of public art.
In the lead up to this, China Plate will be hosting creative activities and arts events in the neighbourhood. In Spring and Summer 2025, we’ll be having conversations across Washwood Heath to work out what this programme will look like – more details to follow soon.
If you would like to get in touch, please email our Producer Abbie White at [email protected]
Outdoor performance of To The Streets! for Birmingham Festival 2022
© Paperwolf Productions
HS2 aims to ensure Britain’s new high-speed railway creates a lasting legacy for the UK. As they build the new railway, their contractors are engaging with local communities along the route to help minimise the impact of construction and involve people in the planning and design of public spaces which they can enjoy for years to come.
In the West Midlands, HS2’s contractor – Balfour Beatty VINCI (BBV), has developed a three-year programme across three sites along the HS2 route: Kenilworth Greenway, Delta Junction and Washwood Heath. China Plate join Sam Williams Studio and Joy Arts as one of three West Midlands based organisations who will work directly with local people and stakeholders to deliver programmes aligned with their community’s vision and the surrounding landscape.
HS2 has learnt from other major infrastructure projects that incorporating this activity early is key to maximising the overall benefits for people and communities, and this programme will be an important strand of activity throughout the construction phase of Britain’s new railway.
For more information about HS2 and Balfour Beatty VINCI, please visit their websites.
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