QAC receives funding from Arts Council England's #LetsCreate Jubilee Fund

We recently announced that that QAC has received funding from Arts Council England’s #LetsCreate Jubilee Fund.

With 2022 marking 70 years since Her Majesty The Queen ascended the throne, the focus of this fund is to empower community organisations to work collaboratively with artists and cultural organisations in a way they might not have before, to produce creative events that are driven by them and highlight their ideas and creativity. Administered by local Community Foundations, meaning decisions were community based, the fund has supported over 700 creative projects across England, with QAC being one of them!

We are now busy working on our project, to host a “QAC Joyous Jubilee Jamboree" event in June, with activities starting after half term. Many students at QAC have a lot of creative flair and this project, through collaborating with industry professionals, will really help them develop their talents.

QAC Collective will be working with Tim Prottey-Jones, a founder of the UK alt-country band ‘The Wandering Hearts’, with whom he enjoyed success in both the UK and the States, playing in venues including Graceland! Now a solo artist, Tim is also a respected multi- instrumentalist, musician, songwriter and producer and QAC Collective are really excited to be working with him for weekly sessions to help them build skills and confidence, learn some industry tricks of the trade and help them create their own celebration themed song, from start to finish. They will then return to the Jennifer Blackwell Performance Space at Birmingham Symphony Hall the song will then be performed at a special ‘gig’ featuring this song, and others from their set list.

As well as QAC Collective working with Tim, we also have a group of students taking on the physical aspect of being creative and working with Anushka Parmar and Jess Campbell from Aspire Dance Academy. Anushka, who has a BA Hons in dance studies and specialises in a vast number of dance styles, will be using her experience to help students choreograph their very own dance routine, complete with solo sections. The group of students from across college will meet with Anushka each week and will also perform their piece at Symphony Hall at the end of June.

Although not all students are involved in the music or dance aspects of the project, they will all be joining in our Joyous Jubilee Jig taking place at the end of June. Groups will be creating their own jubilee flags and costumes as part of a celebratory parade, and there will be a jubilee themed ‘party on the field’ where everyone can come along and enjoy some food and a disco – AND see QAC Collective and the Dance group recreate their performances.

We will of course be sharing more about the project as it happens – especially the final performances!

For more information about Tim, please visit https://www.timprotteyjones.com/
For more information about Anushka, please visit www.aspire-dance.co.uk

Arts Council England’s #LetsCreate Jubilee Fund is made possible thanks to National Lottery Good Causes. Administered by UK Community Foundations