Brass Bands England has announced its latest collaborative arts partnerships with The Civic, an independent charitable trust based in Barnsley, and the Moved by Art project.

Diverse audience

Funded by the Arts Council, The Civic comprises performance and gallery space which attracts a loyal and diverse audience through its thought-provoking programmes of events and exhibitions.

The idea for collaboration on a shared project stems from one of the gallery's many successes — the emotive 2014 'Coalfields' exhibition.

Building on the success of this community-led approach, its Moved By Art partners turned to Brass Bands England and its Liaison Officer Rachel Veitch-Straw, to develop funding opportunities for a brass and arts collaboration that will bring together visual art, music and photography.

South Yorkshire bands

It is also aimed at connecting several South Yorkshire brass bands with local youngsters, music hubs, artists and communities at venues across the region.

Exciting opportunity

A Moved By Arts spokesperson said: "Collaborating with Brass Bands England is a really exciting opportunity. We are looking forward to building many new relationships across the region, supporting the creation of new art together and exploring brass performance in a unique way."

We are looking forward to building many new relationships across the region, supporting the creation of new art together and exploring brass performance in a unique wayA Moved By Arts spokesperson

Widen profile

Partnership projects are fast becoming a highly way of enabling bands to widen their artistic profile as well as tap into increased income streams, as Rachel Veitch-Straw told 4BR.

"These collaborations are a fantastic opportunity, even if developing them can take time. Bands who are doing well tell me that slow progress equals long-term achievement. For many of the opportunities now available to brass bands, seeds were first sown eighteen months ago.

It all starts with building connections and seeking new contacts."