"graduated in or after 2008 from Higher Education Institutes studying ceramics or related clay-based activities (including postgraduate programmes) at colleges within the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland."

BCB: Place will see artists make "new site-specific works, raising the profile of ceramics in the city, and giving new identity to locations." BCB: Explore will see artists "take part in research within the ceramics industry". BCB: Public will see community workshops across the city. BCB: Start will "support the setting up of nine new creative ceramics businesses between 2009 and 2013". And BCB: Scrapbank will be a Recycle Resource Project in Burslem, where "discarded and surplus materials, tools, equipment and ceramics will be collected, sorted, and distributed for re-use in the BCB projects and programme".

"What kinds of feature films are currently being approved in the UK? Who's funding them, and how do you get your foot on the ladder as a new writer? An overview of the films that have been made in the last few years: trends, funders, writing schemes - and how to gain access to development funding, commissioners and producers."

^{New! 18.06.09}     Congratulations to the new Wedgwood Museum in Barlaston, which has this week won the 'Art Fund Museum of the Year Award'. The museum is dedicated to the people who have made objects of great beauty from the soil of Staffordshire, and celebrates the enterprise and tenacity of the universally-famous Wedgwood name. Sure to be a stop of your list of local outings this summer!

Covering letter with full address and contact details.
Recent C.V. (no longer than two sides of A4).
Up to four printed or digital images of your work (if visual).
Expression of Interest statement (maximum 600 words).

An outline of your proposed action research idea (based around one of the themes: Environment, Access, Digital, Regeneration, Health). How you propose to present or create online content for the Longhouse website to record and document (or as part of) your research. Your thoughts on how you expect this bursary will impact you and your practice in both the short and long term.

"If you're 16 plus, with a passion for comic art and live in the West Midlands, then Hi8us Midlands' latest FREE comic art scheme called COMIX, could be for you. All the lucky winners will also get to work with people on similar schemes across Europe and get a supported trip to a comic art festival in Spain as well as a trip to the Birmingham International Comics Show."

"The show has been extended until the 9th of May, after great reviews in national, international and the art press. Notably the review in Art Monthly, just out."

"the area's textile heritage — its strong connections to the Arts & Crafts Movement in Leek, ribbon and velvet making in Congleton, silk weaving and design in Macclesfield, and the cotton mills of Bollington and Styal."

"hands-on workshops to learn rag-rugging, knitting, demonstrations of sheep-shearing, spinning and weaving and much more — over 60 events are already confirmed."

"working with paper to produce interesting and original artwork, and in practice we are looking for work that can be placed upon the wall of the gallery."

"get free beer and food on the festival day and will play again on the main stage to battle it out in the final ... The eventual winners will open the evening event in front of a 1500 capacity crowd as 4th support to Hawkwind. Votes will be by text from your fans and will be held open for three weeks after each event and for the day on the festival day."

"...support and help writers to improve and get published. We meet monthly, usually on the second Saturday of the month. For further details contact stokeonwriting _at_ gmail.com"

Rachel Billington (Acting Director) rachel _at_ picl.uk.com Iain Perry (Programme Coordinator) - iain _at_ picl.uk.com Erica Love (Operations Manager) - erica _at_ picl.uk.com Our new information email for general enquiries is info _at_ picl.uk.com

"I am seeking some work-experience with either a ceramisist or a sculptor, because I complete my course in July 09 and hope to find suitable employment."

"To coincide with Rhubarb's tenth birthday, photographers in the UK are invited to apply for the new Rhubarb/Arts Council Bursary Scheme 2009, where the ten chosen will be profiled at the Rhubarb International Review in July/August this year. Five photographers will be chosen from the West Midlands region, and five from the rest of the UK."

"I thought that I would write to you with 'one of those things' that make you realise why you created this site in the first place. The micro-company that I created recently got bought out (with a big cash injection for my new venture). Instead of - as suggested/forced by my investors - working from Manchester for its creative community, I used the Creative Stoke website to show exactly how the city and the region is a place of great creativity with lots of potential for more. [...] I have since dragged a couple of Mancs and Brummies this way to work in Newcastle-u-L, every day, for a living. [...] So, a big thank you for helping me persuade some hefty financial backers that Stoke is the place for my business."

"Some thoughts to get you writing... What will you feel when the old Maternity Block is pulled down? / Do you recall the colours, smells and sounds? / How did it feel to hold your first baby? / What is your message for a newborn child? / Do you have a message for the future? / What were your hopes, dreams and fears for your unborn child? / What kind of world would you like a child to enter? "

"The Drum School due to start back on Sunday 1st March 2009 at 4pm, with the recently formed 'Samba Cultura' taking place on alternate Sundays. Both are due to take place in the School of Art".

"been teaching singing for a number of years in the West Midlands and am now based in Staffordshire. I welcome students of all ages, experience and voice types. I have worked for a number of schools and sixth-forms, and also as a singing teacher for Stagecoach Theatre Arts [...] I prepare students for GCSE, A Level and auditions [...] and am on the pathway to becoming a Certified Master Teacher in Estill Voice Training — a method used in many leading full-time drama schools."

"If you have an interest in the development of opportunities in dance in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent, I would encourage you to attend and find out more about how to access the funding and resources available through the Legacy Trust."

"...a discussion of the nature of the texts and images associated with retailing and retailers, including commercial images, artistic and literary representations, photographs and postcards, the printed word and the visual arts."

What role do urban researchers, artists and photographers play in regeneration processes?" "Are we accomplices or critics of power? The Dutch research group BAVO provocatively argue that researchers and artists here are equivalent to embedded journalists [in warzones] ...

"digital media based community arts project in the heart of ... the Waterside area in Stoke-on-Trent."

"Benches" is a collaborative mission combining dance, photography and digital processes. Created from thoughts and images of the people of North Staffordshire and Stoke-On-Trent this project uses public benches as a meeting point and aims to unveil aspects of the areas contemporary identity."

"The day will consist of presentations from experts and the opportunity for makers to discuss their funding ideas and ask questions in small informal discussions groups. Booking is essential."

"harness children's love of and enjoyment of stories, as a central theme to promote aspects of emotional communication."

"develop in our pupils their ability to communicate effectively, in a variety of contexts, for a real purpose and audience. We wish to examine how engaging with PR professionals might enhance and inspire their ability to speak, listen, read and write. Our aim is to develop a permanent school based PR company that is run by the pupils."

"to explore any area of their [school] grounds as a setting to give ownership to our pupils to explore their own adventures [via] drama, storytelling or other forms of creative practice."

1) give annual research and development (R&D) awards of up to £50,000 to leading artistic, media and technical talent to explore the creative and economic possibilities of innovative content for new and emerging media platforms.

2) [smaller] awards help you take proposals from initial concept to pilot or prototype stage, where they could attract further development funding, production investment or full commissioning.

3) [enabling] creative and digital companies and individual practitioners to work with partners anywhere in the world.

“This is your chance to find out about [...] 4IP and the Digital Content Development Programme. Meet the funders and find out what they are looking for. The day will bring decision-makers from key regional arts organisations and digital agencies together [...] Up to three winning ideas created at C:CUBED will be awarded £1,000 development grants”

“This event is invitation only, but sessions will be webcast live and available online.”

"To support three selected mid-career designer makers from the West Midlands to develop and showcase new work and access new market opportunities."

"Music for Dance for Music aims to offer an informal, fun and enjoyable environment for musicians and dancers to work together to create original work and give each other confidence to share their skills. The weekend will consist of company class, breakout workshops, jamming sessions and structured improvisation. All musicians are welcome, whether you are an instrumentalist, a percussionist or a vocalist and dancers from any discipline from street to ballroom would benefit from this unique training opportunity."

"one day and two day workshops that will cover a range of key animation skills including timing, movement, sound and the preparation of 3D models enabling you to explore traditional animation styles and techniques."

"Do you keep a cat onboard your narrowboat, cruiser or barge? Or are you a lock keeper who lives in a waterside cottage with a cat? If so, Cats on the Cut would like to hear from you. If you would like to share your stories, experiences or anecdotes of cats on the cut, contact Linda Prince on 07887 600028 or email: catsonthecut _at_ yahoo.co.uk

"unique, high impact marketing support programme available to small companies [...] delivered by experienced marketeers who have worked with large and small companies and who understand the marketing, branding and selling processes". Participating companies will be offered a launch event, plus a... "thorough marketing audit, some relevant research and the development of a strategic plan".

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