STIRCHLEY BATHS Make a splash!

KATE ANDREWS FREELANCE CULTURAL PROJECT MANAGERFreelance cultural project manager and arts marketer with over a decade experience working with arts, heritage

and cultural organisations;

Audience development and outreach projects, festivals and events and arts marketing campaigns;

Clients include Birmingham City Council, Wolverhampton Arts & Heritage, Mac Birmingham, Barber Institute of

Fine Arts, Fierce Festival and Craftspace.

STIRCHLEY BATHS HERITAGE COMMISSIONThree year commission to develop, manage and deliver community heritage and creative activity and centre wide

historical interpretation for the Stirchley Baths project.

Development of volunteer and training programme

Programming regular heritage and creative participatory activity and events

Commissioning of new artworks, exhibitions and installations

Development of digital programmes and engagement

Community consultation

Commission and management of other freelance producers and specialist contractors

STIRCHLEY BATHS Grade II Listed Edwardian swimming baths in Stirchley, Birmingham; saved and restored as a new community hub.

- Opened in 1911 and closed in 1986, subsequently fallen into considerable disrepair

- The refurbishment included creating a new community facility for Stirchley.

- The project includes a variety of flexible community spaces for local sporting and community

groups, training rooms, offers a venue for public meetings and social events, a local cafe and even a

local cinema.

- Local residents have had a chance to get involved in this project, whilst learning new skills through

the heritage programme and have supported community events, fundraising, exhibitions, talks,

tours and educational programme happenings at this historical Birmingham gem.

YEAR ONEVOLUNTEER PROGRAMMEOffered varied opportunities and experiences for volunteers Collaborative digital and art projectsEvent coordination and supportPhotography and historical research. Various digital training was provided

Volunteers can earn swimming style badges when active for 50 or 100 hours at the baths.

29 ACTIVE HERITAGE VOLUNTEERS523 VOLUNTEER HOURS LOGGED

YEAR ONEBRANDING PROJECTStirchley Baths past and present to be represented within the visual communication of the project. Public consultation of name and working in collaboration with local designer Kerry Leslie.

COMMUNITY HARD HAT TOURSImmediate feedback and ownership over new development with community groups and individuals.

YEAR ONEHOARDINGS EXHIBITIONCommunity photographs exhibited along the front of the development May - November 2015. Allowed participants to gain ownership of the development and also provided an insight into the works for the passing public.

80 IMAGES SUBMITTED

COMMUNITY TIME CAPSULEA new 2016 time capsule was created with community involvement and installed within the ‘well’ area of the cafe. Kate briefed and managed freelancer Louise Deakin to lead the public consultation.

YEAR ONESTIRCHLEY HISTORYGROUPDevelopment of a new Stirchley History group to build pride in the local area, build skills and develop historical assets for wider city benefits

LOCAL, REGIONAL & NATIONAL EVENTSDeveloped events and activity with Stirchley Bash (Friends of Stirchley Park), Birmingham’s Heritage Week and National Heritage Open Days

YEAR ONEADVANCE WITH FEATHERSART COMMISSIONA collaborative art commission which engages Stirchley residents, patients at St Andrews hospital, schools, volunteers and wider Birmingham arts community.

Working with sound artist Justin Wiggan to produce a unique collaborative sound piece and live performance.

YEAR ONECEREMONIAL KEY CRAFT COMMISSIONBirmingham based designer makers Bella & Magnus were commissioned to design and produce a 2015 ceremonial key that represented the future of Stirchley Baths and the activity that will happen in the centre.

The key is on display with the original 1911 key which is on long term loan from Birmingham Museums Trust.

STIRCHLEY BATHS HERITAGE INTERPRETATION

Light touch approach - let building speak for itselfBased on community involvement - history and memoriesInterpretation as conversation starterUsing the past to look forward to future Stirchley Ever - evolving interpretation, will be refreshed over time

STIRCHLEY BATHS HERITAGE INTERPRETATION

STIRCHLEY BATHS YEAR TWO ACTIVITY Volunteer programme and training 1940s Day Monthly toursLocal history dayYoung Person’s Film ProjectReminiscence project for people living with dementiaHeritage Crafts DayStorytelling eventsEducation programme

STIRCHLEY BATHS POOL PARTY Introduce the community to the new building

Interpet the building’s swimming and baths heritage

Launch the three year heritage programme with community focus

Celebrate Heritage Open Days, link nationally

Celebrate Birmingham Heritage Week, link regionally

STIRCHLEY BATHS POOL PARTY - CHALLENGESBuilding still belonged to contractor - not yet finished

No infrastructure on site, power, lighting, toilets, running water, accessible entrance

Make the building site carpark into workable event space for 150 people

Unknown audience, who would attend?

Outside event in September - weather

Free event, but booking needed - would people attend?

Reliant on volunteers, centre doesn’t have any staff

STIRCHLEY BATHS POOL PARTY - CHALLENGESWorked with Balfour Beattie who provided staff, power, temporary lighting. Hired a portaloo!

Spent the morning of the event to transform a working building site into a safe event space, with the help of community volunteers and contractors

Built a local audience through existing community links and wider audience through HW and HODs

Provided shelter and chairs

Free booking didn’t work - had some drop off due to weather, will rethink for 2016

Built a volunteer base months ahead to support the event

STIRCHLEY BATHS POOL PARTY Celebratory atmosphere, light touch heritage approach to bridge audience to programme

Film screening of MACE archive films - Midlands baths footage, international animation, short films and music videos

Tours of the baths redevelopment with a heritage focus

Live music by 3 local musical acts

ANY QUESTIONS?Kate Andrews Freelance Cultural Project Managerwww.kateandrews.meKate@kateandrews.me@katiemandrews