Funding application submitted

I've been very busy for the last few weeks working on a funding application for the Bath festival of Illumination in 2010 which has now been submitted. We've applied for funding to commission up to three artists to develop new work to be exhibited during the festival. If successful it will make a huge difference as working with professional artists will help to inspire lots more young people and attract larger audiences.

We should hear the outcome in 12 weeks (Mid April) so fingers crossed!

Sports writing project

Last week I began a new project supporting six Creative Writing students from Bath Spa University to work in partnership with four coaching students from the University of Bath to deliver sports writing sessions to young people aged 11 – 14 yrs in schools in Bath. The students are developing work initiated by the Write Team (Bath Festivals) and broadcaster and writer David Goldblatt, exploring how creative writing in schools can develop pupil’s confidence. The students are also being supported by Greg Sharpe from the University of Bath and Emma Metcalfe from the Write Team. Sessions in schools will begin in February 2010.

The project will include an evening inset session for teachers led by David Goldblatt at Watershed. As well as a Sports Writing Day’ for pupils and teachers led by David Goldblatt at Watershed in May 2010.

The students we're working with are really enthusiastic. They have loads of great ideas for how they can personalise the sessions and I'm really looking forward to seeing what they come up with.

BBC West Sports Awards 2009

On 6 December Tim Vyner, Anthony Head, Marhaba Mujahid and Peter Critchley from Bath Spa University’s School of Art and Design put on light projections at the BBC West Sports Awards at the University of Bath. The projections were based on sporting illustrations by artist Tim Vyner, inspired by his trip to the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. They were on display near the event entrance and inside the VIP area. 1020 people attended the event in total (800 members of the public and 220 VIPs).

Furthermore 13 Bath Spa University student volunteers worked at the event as part of the behind the scenes crew, helping everything to run smoothly. They took on a variety of roles including operations and preparing the venue, car park management, security, ticketing, backstage production, liaising with press and media and looking after VIPs.

It was a great event and we really hope to be involved again next year.