Let’s take a journey. We’re hitting the streets of Birmingham to show a unique side of the city and explore heritage from a new angle… from an open top bus! Thanks to National Lottery players, as part of our campaign #Routes2Roots, we’re offering the opportunity for young people, youth groups and heritage partners to take part in a free alternative tour on Friday 6th May 2016 at either 10am, 12pm or 2pm. Departing from Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, you’ll be guided by our Host Storyteller, Justice Williams MBE as we take a tour through the city to explore and appreciate incredible heritage points and hear from previous Heritage Lottery Funded projects.
Visit the vibrant and street-stopping City of Colours and hear their story going from an ambitious street art festival to receiving £35,200 for their project ‘Musical Roots’
Musical Roots is a cross-cultural, youth-led art project exploring Birmingham’s rich musical heritage. Developed by the City of Colours youth panel, the project is based around the researched need that young people in Birmingham (which has one of the youngest populations in Europe) do not have a clear understanding about the scope of music ‘heritage’ in Birmingham. Their understanding of music heritage and how music is linked to the different cultures within Birmingham – one of the most ethnically diverse cities in the UK – is very minimal.
‘Our Musical Roots’ will use a platform of music and public art to engage younger people in a fun and inspiring project exploring Birmingham’s musical heritage including the significance of music in shaping the city and importantly its links to different cultures and communities. Younger people will be provided with an opportunity to explore, document and share their findings through workshops, art creation, participation in an exhibition at the City of Colours festival as well as working with a graffiti artist to design a mural based on their music heritage research which will be painted with pride within their communities.
Becci Wright from City of Colours said, “The team are delighted with our funding success for the Heritage Lottery Fund’s Young Roots programme. Heritage is so important for creating a sense of place within communities and bringing people together through a shared understanding of their cultural identity.”
Vanessa Harbar, Head of Heritage Lottery Fund West Midlands, said “This is a great opportunity to get a feel for the fantastic, varied heritage of Birmingham – and to hear about this wonderful new project from City of Colours, which will allow young people to explore the history of music in the youngest city in the UK”
Tickets for #Routes2Roots: On the Road are free and are available now at bit.ly/Routes2RootsOTR
To apply for a Young Roots grant of £10,000 – £50,000 please see www.hlf.org.uk/youngroots
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Notes to editors:
Heritage Lottery Fund
Thanks to National Lottery players, we invest money to help people across the UK explore, enjoy and protect the heritage they care about – from the archaeology under our feet to the historic parks and buildings we love, from precious memories and collections to rare wildlife. www.hlf.org.uk @heritagelottery @HLFWestMids @HLFRoutes2Roots