100 Days of Creativity: A Summer to Remember in Colmore BID

Image credit: ‘Detail of Dreamstones For The Planet by Roberta Schreyer. Craftspace, In:Site 2024.’

By Michele Wilby, Chief Executive Officer of Colmore BID

Get ready to explore 100 Days of Creativity! I’m thrilled to share that an extensive programme of artistic events and activities is coming to Birmingham this summer. Until Mon 26 August, the city will be alive with creativity, offering something for everyone to enjoy every single day.

This extraordinary initiative is funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and led by the City Curator – a position funded by Colmore BID.

Our City Curator, Alex Nicholson-Evans, brings a wealth of experience and passion to the role. Alex is the Founder and Director of Living For The Weekend, the driving force behind popular city-wide festivals like Birmingham Cocktail Weekend and Birmingham Restaurant Festival.

The role of the City Curator was born out of Colmore BID’s Future Business District Study, which explored the long-term impacts of the pandemic on city centre business districts. The study aimed to ensure that Birmingham remains a desirable place to live, work, visit, and do business.

The City Curator acts as a Creative Director for the city centre, commissioning events, festivals, and art, and supporting the broader shaping of the public realm. This brand-new role is uniquely supported by all five City Centre BIDs, the City Council, and other city centre partners. Funded by Colmore BID and supplemented by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, this two-day-a-week position is dedicated to bringing creative activations to life.

Imagine wandering through the bustling streets of Birmingham, stumbling upon impromptu dance performances, immersive theatre, captivating film screenings, and soul-stirring music concerts. The 100 Days of Creativity programme is designed to fill our summer with a rich tapestry of artistic expression, all spread across the city. Each day promises a new adventure, a fresh experience to dive into, and the chance to see Birmingham in a whole new light.

The events listed on the Visit Birmingham website and our Events page include a diverse array of activities. Whether you’re a music lover, a dance enthusiast, a theatre aficionado, or a film buff, there’s something here for you. Some events might already be on your radar, but we’re excited to introduce you to new experiences that showcase the incredible talent and creativity thriving in Birmingham.

Alex will also be providing regular updates and insights into her work as City Curator, so be sure to check City Curator Highlights for the latest. Her vision and expertise are set to make 100 Days of Creativity an unforgettable experience for all of us.

We want to hear from you, too! Share your experiences using the hashtag #100daysofcreativity on social media. We’ll be resharing some of your posts and can’t wait to see the city and our District through your eyes. Your stories, photos, and videos will help us celebrate this remarkable programme and connect our community through the arts.

Join us in celebrating the arts and exploring Birmingham like never before. Let’s make this summer a season of creativity, connection, and community. I can’t wait to see what we discover together!