Birmingham Arts School – it’s not a school!
Birmingham Arts School (BAS) is a space to build creative minds. By connecting schools to the Arts we allow children and young people to think, to imagine, to argue, to question and to enable everyone across the City to think about the world openly and explore it with a different mindset.
BAS recognises that children and young people face inequalities across the City and we strive to connect them with high quality Arts opportunities. Opportunities that not only enhance their learning and wellbeing but develop skills to support them in their future careers.
By providing training opportunities for teachers and artists, producing conferences and showcases and facilitating teacher networks BAS ensures that there are year-round activities that meet the needs of children, young people and teachers. We are the space that brings together opportunities for the City’s cultural sector whilst actively addressing the challenges it faces.
BAS needs your voice, your support and your willingness to act as role models to develop creative minds. The architecture we see, the books we read, the delicately crafted design that sits upon your morning coffee, the passion we hear through activism and the confident language that boasts business acumen – the Arts drive all of this.
Through your support we can ensure stories of heritage, upbringing and culture that express the vibrant diversity of our City are exposed to children and young people through drama, dance, music, literature and visual art.
If you too believe that the Arts need to exist in the world; to enable the coming together of minds and the ability to reflect what makes us human; then champion BAS as the central point in the city that ensures arts education is valued in schools.
Message from our Director
As the Director of Birmingham Arts School (BAS), I’ve been extremely fortunate to lead a branch of BEP dedicated to enhancing arts provision across our city. At BAS, we believe that every child and young person deserves access to a flourishing arts education, and we’re here to support teachers in making this a reality. The arts are vital in nurturing a future generation of individuals who can creatively solve problems, confidently express their opinions, and feel culturally connected to their community.
While our work helps young people see the viability of careers in the arts, our ultimate goal is for schools to recognise and value the skills and experiences that the arts provide, enriching students’ ability to thrive in a wide range of careers. This year, with our events fully organised, I have more capacity to engage in 1:1 meetings with headteachers. I invite you to contact me directly so we can arrange a visit to your school. I’m eager to support you in building your arts offer, providing clear strategies for creating partnerships, enhancing teacher training, and developing meaningful arts projects within your school.
BAS is actively seeking Arts Champions—individuals, charities, and businesses who can support our mission. We aim not only to maintain our current offerings for schools but also to expand them, particularly in those schools that need this provision the most. Over the past three years, our programme, evaluated by BCU, has proven to be a catalyst for arts education in Birmingham. Your support has the potential to impact hundreds of teachers and thousands of young people across the city.
Our funding success in the past has led to subsidised teacher events and the Proud to be a Brummie festival, where schools from deprived areas participated in fully funded arts projects. We’ve also facilitated short-term internships and are eager to build partnerships that can also meet business needs through marketing initiatives, career talks, public speaking workshops, and team-building seminars for corporate events.
BAS is committed to creating meaningful arts opportunities for the young people of Birmingham. I encourage you to get in touch today to explore how we can build a mutually beneficial relationship with your organisation.
Bhavik is also part of the below group:
BAS Strategic Advisory Group
- Richard Mabbott – Head of Music Service, Services for Education
- Rachael Thomas – Executive Director, Birmingham Repertory Theatre
- Sarah Thomas – Business Manager, Birmingham Education Partnership
- Harpinder Singh – Headteacher, Queensbridge School
- Tania Yasmin – Headteacher, Greet Primary School
- Nancy Evans – Director of Learning & Participation, Birmingham Contemporary Music Group
- Angela Lowry – Headteacher, Raddlebarn Primary School
- Indi Deol – Director, Desi Blitz
- Dan Jones – Creative Arts Lead, Allens Croft Primary School
- Ayan Aden – Creative & Community consultant
- Martin Straker Welds – Former City Councillor for Moseley Ward
- Aisha Abdirashid – Photography Student at University of the Arts London
- Dr Victoria Kinsella – Associate Professor and Director of CSPACE at Birmingham City University
Julie Eaton – Headteacher, Selly Oak Trust School
Our Supporters
Birmingham Arts School (BAS) partners with 28 of the city’s leading cultural organisations to enrich the lives of young people through the arts. Together, we support schools across Birmingham, fostering creativity, confidence, and cultural capital in the next generation. With a focus on equality in arts access, our partnerships help ensure that arts education is available to all.
