Workshop series: Tools for Practice

A free five-part workshop series for artists, at all stages in their journey, to learn and talk through practical skills.

Tools for Practice is led by artists, for artists, as part of Multistory’s BCN (Blast Creative Network) artist development programme. This series is led by creatives that are innovative and inspiring (doing the work!), who will discuss tools that are useful for practising as an artist. 

The toolkit includes: processes to help you stay organised and playful while working on projects and making; breaking down marketing and promoting yourself online, while being yourself in the process; building confidence for networking and sharing your practice; identifying your own potential barriers to access and making an access rider; and the practicalities of curating your own show, including alternative routes into curating. 

Places are limited, booking is essential. Find out more information about each workshop and how to book below.

Tools for Practice is curated by BCN Project Coordinator Rene Francis-McBrearty.

Details

The Process is the Prize: A workshop by André Anderson

Wednesday 7 February 2024, 6 – 7.30pm

For the past six years, André Anderson has been building Freedom & Balance, an art college that gathers voices from all walks of life to produce communal works of art. Along the way he has discovered tools to help him bring communities together, help voices grow, and stay creatively vibrant throughout the years. Join André to discover and apply the processes that help artists stay both playful and organised, with surprising results!

Marketing and Creating Content: A workshop by Designer Philly

Wednesday 14 February 2024, 6 – 7.30pm

In this workshop, Designer Philly will break down ways to create content and promote your art online, while being yourself in the process. He will provide tools for your socials and your online voice to mirror your work, which will in turn open yourself to new creative opportunities.

Building Confidence, Finding Joy: A workshop by Mikayla Sinead

Wednesday 21 February 2024, 6 – 7.30pm

This workshop will focus on tools for building confidence and finding joy in your creative practice. Mikayla will discuss the benefits and reasons of why you should promote yourself and your work, and the ways to do it. Topics will include: goal setting, manifesto writing and selling yourself.

Access Riders: A workshop by Samiir Saunders

Wednesday 28 February 2024, 6 – 7.30pm

In this workshop, we will provide a brief overview of the history and current use of Access Riders*. Participants will have the opportunity to identify their own potential barriers to access, as well as identifying what kinds of environments allow them to thrive. Additionally, we will discuss strategies for managing professional relationships with a focus on care, honesty, and compassion.

* “An access doc, or ‘Access Rider,’ is a document that outlines your disability access needs. You might make one so that you can give it to galleries/institutions/organisations when you start working with them on a project, to let them know what you need them to facilitate to make sure you have equal access to work and so that you can do your job.” (Credit: Shape Arts)

Practicalities of Curating: A workshop by Lisa Kennedy

Wednesday 6 March 2024, 6 – 7.30pm

Thinking about the practicalities of curating? Join curator Lisa Kennedy, who will facilitate a reflective discussion covering collaborations, funding streams and alternative routes into curating.

Access

If you have any questions regarding accessibility, or to let us know of any access needs you have, please get in touch: [email protected] / +44 7562 980384

BCN

This event is hosted as part of Multistory’s BCN artist development programme. BCN is a space for mutual support, learning and knowledge sharing for artists in Sandwell and the Black Country, offering a public programme of events, residencies and other paid opportunities to artists yearly.

Bios

André Anderson (@freedom_balance) is the Founder and Headmaster of Freedom & Balance, an art college based within London. Freedom & Balance designs curricula to help people exercise their creative identity. André believes art is for everyone, and, when done well, can help people to ask the right questions in new ways, in a world that is ever-changing and in need of solutions.

Designer Philly (@designerphilly) specialises in creating vibrant, captivating pop art that embraces simplicity with bold colours, expressive strokes, and dynamic shapes. Designer Philly’s art reveals beauty in subtlety, weaving unique narratives that connect people through cultural inspiration and a shared appreciation for the human experience.

Mikayla Sinead (@mikayla_sinead) has a wealth of experience supporting communities to utilise their “why” to make an impact. Mikayla is passionate about leading with an inclusive intersectional mindset whilst centring joy. Her career, volunteering and freelance work have always focused on developing inclusive leaders and environments for marginalised folks to thrive. Mikayla combines her love for video gaming & professional experiences through her company Bridge Network Group. The company focuses on boosting representation in the gaming industry through the engagement initiative #GameJoy.  

Samiir Saunders (@smaiduskhan) is a multimedia poet from Birmingham working in spoken word, alternative hip-hop, and performance art. Samiir’s work aims to arm individuals and communities with the tools to be curious, compassionate, and vulnerable in their everyday lives. Samiir often explores themes such as grind culture, isolation, shame, (mis)communication, intimacy, and the Internet.

Lisa Kennedy (@heritage_io) is a curator and researcher who advocates for the inclusion of wider perspectives within museums and the study of history. Working with museums, galleries and cultural spaces, Lisa’s research interests focus on better understanding the relevance of these spaces to the widest audience possible. Lisa’s practice centres on improving access to history, art, and culture from a socially engaged lens, while exploring accountability models and the role of user research. You can read some of Lisa’s thoughts on her blog, check out inspiring people she’s come across on Instagram or see what she’s been working on lately.

Location

This workshop series will take place on Zoom.
A link will be sent out to attendees via Eventbrite.