Calling All Creatives

Rediscover North East Worcestershire are pleased to announce that submissions are now open for three projects.

Wagons roll, Awe and Wander, and Gateway to Nature make up the “Sharing Stories” element of “Sharing Stories, Shaping Futures”. Working closely with young people to help shape futures.

Each project is specifically designed to be suited to a branch of the arts:

• Wagons Roll: Performing Arts
• Gateway to Nature: Visual Arts
• Awe and Wander: Digital Arts

Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Recreation, Cllr Juliet Barker Smith, said: “These projects are brilliant opportunities to celebrate Redditch’s proud heritage as part of the ReNEW programme. Giving local young people the chance to work with established arts professionals to shape something new and exciting. Redditch has an amazingly varied heritage, each tender represents a great chance to shout about some of it. I look forward to seeing the ways in which the successful professional brings these stories to life.”

The successful applicants will work with ReNEW from May 2026 until September 2027: creating tangible outcomes, delivering skills workshops for young people, contributing to the development of apprentices, and practicing co-creation with a dedicated group of young people.

ReNEW’s core aims are to develop young creatives into confident industry professionals, build the resilience of the local cultural sector, and bolster connection in local communities through the power of the arts.

Chair of the Cultural Compact for North East Worcestershire, Petro Nicolaides, said: “This is a wonderful opportunity for local performing arts creatives to get involved with ReNEW. Wagons Rolls aims to shine a spotlight on the extraordinary heritage of Showmen and engage the creativity within our communities. We’re excited to see how the right candidate can help us to bring these stories to life in bold and imaginative ways. It’s not just about performance though; it’s about increasing pride, bringing together communities, and nurturing young new talent in the creative sector. The project team and I can’t wait to see the creative magic that emerges.”

Wagons Roll celebrates local people through performing arts, inspired by the rich heritage, stories, and legacy of the Showmen of Redditch, whose vibrant fairground traditions have shaped local culture since the late nineteenth century. This strand will pay tribute to the spirit, artistry, and resilience of the Showman community and celebrate the importance of this legacy.

Gateway to Nature invites local people to share their stories and experiences of connection with the local environment, enabling the successful Visual Arts Provider/s to support creative activity that will inform the future identity of the National Trust’s proposed ‘8 Hills’ Regional Park.

Awe and Wander is designed to connect local communities with green spaces, focusing on underrepresented neighbourhoods. The project will use digital creativity, storytelling, and participatory activity to position local people to experience local nature in ways that are accessible, meaningful, and engaging.

The deadline for submission and period for submitting clarifications varies for each project. Please check the webpage listed below for details relating to the opportunity you are specifically interested in. 

For more details, please visit https://www.redditchbc.gov.uk/SharingStoriesTenders

PLEASE NOTE: To submit a submission you will need to create an account on the Proactis Portal, please allow adequate time to complete this process. Register here: https://procontract.due-north.com/Register