action for community media

In June 2003 CAW was successful in its bid to the Regional Arts Lottery Programme from West Midlands Arts. Our bid emphasised the importance of media facilities and opportunities for the local population, outlining what access to such facilities can help people achieve. With this grant CAW was able to purchase equipment for music, film and video, and publishing. Here's what we did with it!

1. Music Studios

CAW built its own music studios, including a live room and a control room, to house the technical equipment it needed to run music workshops, recordings and rehearsals. With these facilities we have been able to run a year long music programme of activity including the following.

• Global Grants music workshops for young people. CAW delivered over 50 sessions with groups of young people enabling them to record, rehearse and develop new music. Ten of the 40 young people involved went on to music colleges in the area (GlassHouse and The Depot) or became musicians or DJs in their own right and are now self-employed. For more details of the facilities at CAW see the music section of website.
  
  
• Rehearsal space for musicians and bands. This has enabled CAW to develop relationships with a wide range of local and regional artists.
  
  
• Open mic poetry and music events with Dreadlock Alien and the New October Poets, leading to a new range of music and poetry mix for 2004 with the Six of the Best events. Keep an eye on the What's On listing for details of the next event.

2. Community Publishing

CAW developed its publishing mission and is now running two new community publications - a what's on publication and Praxis a cultural discussion and promotion magazine. These have involved a cross-section of the community in their production and content. See the Praxis section of the website for more information.

3. Film Co-op

CAW has set up its very own film co-op with the mission to screen and create new films, arrange training and development for members and operate a hire scheme for members whereby the kit bought by RALP can be shared amongst the local film community. Please see the whats on section of this website for more information.

4. Business Bunker

CAW has now completed its initial Business Bunker activities, creating a centre for business advice to people wanting to set up either as self employed artists or as a start up in creative industries. CAW is now about to extend this remit to other local groups and will be going outreach from September 04. Please see the Business Bunker section of the website for more information.

Ongoing Activity

CAW is now working with Social Services to provide two facilities for their mental health service users:

• animation workshops;
  
• an open creative network newsletter
  

Volunteering

CAW has engaged over 40 volunteers and another 20 placements in activities including animation, film, music and publishing - giving people the skills needed to continue developing after their contact with CAW.