Arts Award

Solihull Arts Complex is committed in providing a safe, welcoming and friendly environment,  staff expertise, facilities and resources in order for Arts Award students (and their advisors) to find out about, enjoy and take part in arts activities, and develop their skills as artists and creative practitioners, as well as future leaders.

Proud to be an Arts Award host venue

About the Venue

Solihull Arts Complex is a Council run arts venue and shares a building with the Central Library and the Councils Connect - One Stop Shop. The building is located within Solihull Town Centre and can be accessed from Library Square, Touchwood or via a walkway from Homer Road. The venue comprises:

• 336 seat raked theatre. Fully equipped technically with stage flying system sound and lighting etc.
• The Studio. A multi-purpose room, seating up to 130 equipped for small scale theatrical presentations, music events, workshops, walk-in conferences and day sales etc. located off the main foyer.
• Café Bar facility serving hot and cold snacks, refreshments, full bar and catering for functions.
• Tourist Information and Booking Office is just across the main foyer
• G1 Gallery for programmed exhibitions
• G2 Gallery space available for hire by local artists, schools and community groups and clubs.

For details of the current programme see Arts Complex website, or call 0121 704 6962 for a brochure.

Arts Complex Hirers

The Arts Complex Theatre, Studio and G2 spaces are available to hire by both local groups encompassing not for profit organisations/charity concerts and by commercial promoters who find the venue a popular stop-off on local or regional tours, particularly for tributes or nostalgic music and dance shows. For details on how to hire any of our spaces for your Arts Award project or performance please see Arts Complex website.

Studio Classes and Activities

As well as performances there are a number of activities hosted for all ages which are provided either by the venue or by hirers of the venues including:

• Over 50's Steppin' Out Dance class for over 50's
• Wiggle and giggle dance class for 4-7 year olds
• Boys dance group 16 - 19 year olds
• Playbox - National Theatre classes for 5-21 year olds
• Weight Watchers group
• Ballroom dance classes for adults
• A range of art-related classes for both young people and adults.
• School holiday activities and workshops
• Rock and Pop Nights by Solihull Music Service

Gallery

The Gallery hosts six to eight exhibitions per year which are programmed by the Arts Complex. Linked to the exhibitions are a series of talks, workshops and associated activities.

In addition regular activities held in the Gallery include:

• Saturday Art Club & holiday workshops for children
• Drawing classes and photography group for adults
• Artist talks, workshops, private views and education work

Tourist Information and Booking Office

The Solihull Tourist Information Office is also the Arts Complex Box Office. Staff offer a range of Tourism Information for local, regional and visitors. The Box Office function enables tickets to be sold by either phone calls or across the counter.

Café Bar

This popular cafe offers full snack and refreshment service during the daytime and an evening theatre bar. Offering good value, fresh food, much of it made to order, the menu can cater for special dietary requirements plus vegetarian options. During the daytime the café bar is an informal meeting place for mothers and toddlers groups, Age Concern and groups with special needs. We try to ensure the café is seen as a welcoming venue where these groups can meet in a relaxed unpressured environment.

Accessibility

The Arts Complex is wheelchair accessible with level floors from the entrance into the Studio, Café bar and Tourist Information and Booking Office. The Gallery spaces are accessible by lift. The theatre auditorium is wheelchair accessible on the front row with full lift access backstage for disabled performers/speakers etc. Blue Door Access is a scheme to assist groups with disability access needs arriving by coach or minibus, into the building. Signed (BSL) shows & Hearing induction loops.

The theatre auditorium and Tourist Information and Booking Office are fitted with hearing loops for hearing aid users - switch aids to the 'T' position. Some shows are signed by a trained BSL signer - including at least one pantomime show - please ask for details.

A Diverse Programme

The Arts and Tourism Service promote a diverse range of performances and exhibitions at the Arts Complex and work hard to offer something for everyone whatever their age or background. Recent culturally diverse activities including leading black poet Benjamin Zephaniah, ACE Dance and Music (Birmingham based company with Afro Caribbean influences and performers), South Asian Arts activities in partnership with SAMPAD the regional agency for South Asian Arts plus an exhibition by leading Disability Arts Movement Artist Tanya Raabe.

The programme has educational activities aimed at children and young people. This ranges from the annual pantomime to children's shows, workshops and activities both via schools and during holidays. For seniors there are regular shows and events to appeal, inform and entertain including shows, dance activities, hobby and crafts, lectures and societies.

What can we offer Arts Award Students?

• Work placements - Book early!
  Priority will be given to Arts Award students who require a work placement above normal school placements. However we only take a single one week placement per term and these get booked up many months in advance. If you have a specific placement requirement i.e. need to learn how ticketing system works, or how to market a show then we may be able to tailor a special session for you or for a small group, working direct with the staff that can help or advise you, but you need to call to discuss this in advance - don't just turn up!
• Venue tour
  By arrangement for groups or individuals, if you have a specific project - maybe we can help?
• Heavily discounted or free tickets for selected events
  Check with Box Office by asking if there are any current "Arts Award Discount shows".
• Gallery talks, opportunities to meet the artists.
  Talk about their work, their career, their hints and tips or pick their brains for ideas!
• Opportunities to meet or interview actors, musicians dancers or stage managers.
  Find out how the professionals do it - what they think or how they succeed when others fail.
  The venue receives hundreds of professionals every year and many are only too glad to help… we can't promise but we can certainly help arrange a short meeting before or after a show.
• Shadowing the Professionals
  We have a Gallery Curator, Arts & Dance development officers, Tourist Information Manager, Dance artist, Theatre Technicians, Marketing and Catering Manager and many other roles within the venue. If your Arts Award project is based around one of these areas we may be able to help with your studies. E.g. dance - we could give you advice on how to get involved in dance workshops or events or information about professional dance performances happening in your area.
• Employment opportunities - Join our bank of casual staff working across the venue.
  Staff generally start on evenings in Café bar and work as Front of House Stewards, or in Box Office after training. You should be clean, polite, reliable and will need good communications skills as you may need to deal with customer requests or assist with emergency evacuations etc. Vacancies are always advertised on the Council jobs page on www.solihull.gov.uk/jobsandcareers/workingforsolihull.htm and are open to all subject to any conditions mentioned. You should be available on a regular basis. Uniform and full training is provided but transport and parking are not.

Contact Us:

For tickets and enquiries regarding Arts Award contact Box Office on 0121 704 6962 they will pass you onto the relevant team or person to assist. Or you could email artscomplex@solihull.gov.uk or write to us at:

Solihull Arts Complex
Homer Road
Solihull
West Midlands
B91 3RG