A key element of Lichfield Arts’ organisational objectives is the provision of educational projects in an outreach programme which encourages local people to participate in the arts by learning new skills and performing at community events. It is this that sets us apart from being just another event organiser.

We have delivered a wide range of creative and educational outreach projects over the years. Examples include art competitions and installations, young people taking over the running of a Fuse marquee, an ‘I See Jazz’ project for children to link the creative processes of art, music and performance, a creative songwriting course and competition, ‘slam poetry’, circus skills, junk instrument making, puppetry, giant sculptures and a showcase by local primary schools of dance, drama, singing and art featuring various decades from the 1920s through to the 1990s.

 In May 2022 the first rehearsals of our new community band ‘ASpire’ took place. A name chosen from suggestions by the band members. With the support of Lichfield Arts the band has appointed Charlotte Kedge, a graduate from Birmingham Conservatoire as musical director. 

The intention is to provide somewhere for local people to come together with a mutual love of music, develop their skills and play together.

The band currently have around 30 members all volunteers and keen amateur musicians. As the band develops the aim is to support both Lichfield Arts events and other community activities including forming partnerships with other local organisations.

In the summer of 2022 Avant-pop composer and performer Rosie Tee performed a special live session in Sandfields Pumping Station in Lichfield – one of the Black Country’s most important buildings of industrial heritage.

Rosie was formerly a member of Wildfire Folk, a hugely successful outreach project formed by Lichfield Arts as a Youth Ensemble to play music it should be played – with enthusiasm, energy and style! Wildfire started as a one off workshop and was so immensely popular that it quickly developed into a band in its own right for many years.

Now an exciting and successful artist in her own right, Lichfield Arts were delighted to promote the concert showcasing such an exciting young artist in this unique industrial setting.

Amongst the peeling walls, towering ceilings and old machinery of the 1800’s waterworks, Rosie produced an intoxicating live show that amplifies the dexterity of her quartet line-up. The concert was recorded by Rosie’s team to produce a stunning video of session. 

Through the enveloping natural reverb of Sandfields Pumping Station, The Waterworks Session from Rosie Tee is a spellbinding example of old and new converging to create something joyous. The session premiered on YouTube and can be enjoyed via the link below.

Lichfield Lighthouse Company is a sea shanty singing group which was originally formed by, and has ongoing support from, Lichfield Arts. The group has performed across the Midlands and bring their sea shanty’s to the city of Lichfield.