The Forge is a new three-part creative programme for 11–18-year-olds living or at school in Worcestershire.

Stage one: Explore your creativity was piloted in Bromsgrove, Malvern and Tenbury Wells from February to July 2023. Across 12 workshops  participants worked with a variety of creative practitioners to explore different creative activities, learn new skills and find out more about working collaboratively with others.

Find out more about The Forge: Explore your creativity in the video below.

Stage two: Showcase your creativity takes place from October to December 2023. Across eight workshops coordinated by a facilitator participants will explore a range of creative activities and work together to produce and showcase their own artwork or performance. 

Find out more about The Forge: Showcase your creativity

Stage three: Pitch Up was piloted in June 2023 with Heart of Worcestershire (HoW) College students. Over four days the students learnt about the process of pitching, working with their peers and creative professionals to develop an idea for an arts commission in response to the theme ‘how has creativity positively impacted you?’. Three groups were awarded funding for their commission, and these students then created and presented the idea they had pitched. 

Find out more about Pitch Up