Birmingham launches 100 Days of Creativity

The stage is all set in Birmingham for 100 days of artistic activities and events this summer, including festivals, exhibitions and workshops.

100 Days of Creativity, an extensive programme of artistic events and activities, is being staged in the city this summer, taking place across Sunday 19 May to Monday 26 August.

The programme of events announced includes music, dance, theatre, and film, and will take place in the 100 days starting from the final day of Flatpack Film Festival on Sunday 19 May to the final day of Birmingham Weekender on Monday 26 August. 

With the help of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, city curator Alex Nicholson-Evans (pictured) has joined forces with West Midlands Growth Company, Colmore BID, Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, Culture Central, Birmingham City Council, Central BID, Jewellery Quarter BID and Southside District BID to bring this festival to Birmingham.

Alex said: “Together with our partners, we’ve created a programme which showcases the incredible range of creative activities that you can engage with in Birmingham.

“100 Days of Creativity will be a celebration of the breadth of ways you can express and experience creativity in the city this summer. 

“Throughout the 100 days, we’ll be marking important cultural milestones in Birmingham, such as the return of Birmingham Weekender, 60 years of Ikon, and 40 years of Birmingham Jazz Festival.

“And there is so much more, from creative workshops and major concerts to theatre productions and the return of many well-loved festivals.  

“We’re very lucky to have so many fantastic creative events taking place in the city this summer; some that people will already have heard of, but my hope is that this initiative will introduce the residents of Birmingham and visitors to the city to events and activities that might not have been on their radars yet, too.”

Highlights include Birmingham Design Festival (6 to 8 June), the biennial celebration of design held across Birmingham city centre, and the multi award-winning cultural phenomenon Hamilton (25 June – 31 August), coming to Birmingham Hippodrome for a ten-week season.

Birmingham Hippodrome’s popular free B-SIDE Hip-Hop Festival (6 – 9 June) is also included in the programme, which brings together extraordinary Hip-Hop artists and breathtaking acts from breakin’, graffiti, DJ’ing and MC’ing.

Alongside the major events taking place at some of Birmingham’s biggest venues, there is also a host of smaller activities and experiences throughout the city. They include activities and workshops where people can get involved and learn new skills include pottery making, creative writing, photography, and pasta making.  

Chief executive of Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce Henrietta Brealey said: “100 Days of Creativity is an utterly glorious and eclectic reflection of the incredible creativity of this brilliant city.

“The featured events are a real joy with something for everyone. It showcases the extraordinary breadth of Birmingham’s offer from outstanding cultural institutions, including Chamber members such as The Hippodrome, CBSO, Birmingham Royal Ballet, Ikon Gallery, BMAG, B:MUSIC, MAC, Birmingham Botanical Gardens and Birmingham Rep through to highlighting the work of brand new artists and small scale creative workshops and discussions.

“We are delighted to be a partner in this initiative and look forward to seeing the city come alive for a celebration of creativity in all its forms.” 

City Curator, Alex Nicholson-Evans added, “100 Days of Creativity will put a spotlight on Birmingham and its resilient and innovative artistic scene. It’s an opportunity to showcase the creative work that takes place in Birmingham to a national and international audience.

“We already have multiple activities and events taking place every single day of the 100 days, but this is just the beginning, and we’ll be adding even more exciting events to the programme in the coming months.”

The 100 Days of Creativity project has received funding from the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

Click here for more information about 100 Days of Creativity and to view the programme.