Metal Southend

We hope you can join us on BlueSky @/MetalCulture, Instagram @MetalCultureUK, Facebook and LinkedIn. Team Metal

What a year it's been ✨ Across South Essex, we’ve been super busy with #BrentwoodCreativeChangemakers, #ThisIsUs with @estuaryfestival, #CreativeBreakTime with @theotherma_TOMA & @fpgsouthend, #EssexWritersHouse & more. We can’t wait to continue these journeys into 2025!

Multi-media artist Sally Chinea has been collaborating with Open Arts, exploring #CastlePoint & crafting journals capturing what they’d love for an alien to see amongst many other things🌍 See the work at @HOFSHadleigh early next year – dates coming soon! 📷 Tessa Hallmann

🌌 Imagine an alien landing in your neighbourhood - what local spots would you show them? Seeing our community through fresh eyes can be a powerful way to reflect on what we cherish & what we might improve. #ThisIsUsCastlePoint @estuaryfestival @castlepointbc

Together, they’ve created audio-visual pieces that reflect the spirit of Canvey Island. The work will be showcased at @HOFSHadleigh early next year 👀 #ThisIsUs is an 18-month arts project by Metal & @EstuaryFestival, with Castle Point residents & commissioned by @CastlePointBC.

What does your community sound like? If it were a film, how would it feel? 💭 We’ve been working with sound artist & musician @KellyBuckley6 & singer-songwriter @loisleon_ through #ThisIsUs to ask young people at Yellow Door Youth Club just that! @EstuaryFestival

#ThisIsUs is a groundbreaking 18-month arts initiative by Metal & @EstuaryFestival, in collaboration with Castle Point residents & commissioned by @CastlePointBC to envision a vibrant future for our community ⭐️ Dates for the exhibition coming soon! 📷: Tessa Hallmann

Together, they explored dream homes, ideal public spaces & imaginative materials, creating a 3D sculptural map of #CastlePoint filled with whimsical ladybugs, tranquil green spaces & more reflecting the kids' dreams. See the work at Hadleigh Old Fire Station early 2025 🚀

What role do the dreams of Castle Point’s children play in shaping tomorrow’s community? 💭 Through #ThisIsUs, we teamed up with designer Laura Whiting, teacher Gemma Groves & Year 3 & 4 pupils at Jotmans Primary School in Benfleet. @EstuaryFestival

Join the Desire Paths🌳artists Kate Monson, Laura Whiting & Liam Heatherson to explore Canvey Town Centre through a guided sensory walk on Sat 30 Nov as part of #ThisIsUs 👣👣 Free tickets: bit.ly/3NXYywv @EstuaryFestival @CastlePointBC

✨Calling all Canvey residents!✨Join us for DESIRE PATHS - a free, fun artist-led walk along Canvey Town Centre on 30 November 10am-12.30pm, ahead of the Christmas Fair! eventbrite.co.uk/e/desire-paths… @MetalSouthend @CastlePointBC

On Wednesday 20 November, we’re offering free 1:1 sessions for artists who live and/or work within our local area. These sessions will be led by you & what you would like to discuss. Book your free slot here: bit.ly/3YKrkqs #OpenAdviceSessions

Good news for music lovers in #Southend 🎶 @ace_national are hosting a free event on Weds 13 Nov to introduce the Supporting Grassroots Music funding stream. Join the Q&A & connect with others in the music sector. Learn more: bit.ly/4fq3WEs

Workshops, exhibitions & creative experiences led by #localartists are sparking conversations about life in #CanveyIsland, #Benfleet, #Thundersley & #DawsHeath & shaping the future of their community. Get involved: bit.ly/3BRmgrx
#ThisIsUsCastlePoint

We’re shaping #CastlePoint through creativity with @estuaryfestival & @CastlePointBC 🎨 #ThisIsUs is our pioneering 18-month arts programme supporting residents to reimagine their #future. Our mission? Celebrating Castle Point’s creativity, welcoming new voices & perspectives.

We're teaming up with @PrimadonnaFest to invite expressions of interest from creative practitioners for a commission celebrating community, diversity and the power of the written and spoken word. Interested? Visit essexcdp.com/commission/pri… for more info! Budget £9K Deadline 31 Oct

Last week to apply to our #Brentwood #Creative #Changemakers Gathering ⚡ Make positive changes through artistic ideas, collaborate in fun ways, gather your community & take part in a paid weeklong training programme. Apply by Sun 20 Oct at 5pm: bit.ly/4erxbX2 #UKSPF

Estuary Festival is delighted to have been awarded @ace_national National Lottery Place Partnership investment towards Estuary 2025 'Vessels'. Read the full announcement here: estuaryfestival.com/blog/detail/es…

Congratulations to #Southend actress, theatre maker & Metal Trustee @MiaJerome on her nomination for @theBBTAs Best Supporting Female Actor in a Play, as Montague in Romeo & Juliet at @dukeofyorksldn 🎭 Amazing news & we’ll be keeping everything crossed 🤞 bit.ly/47WSSMy

Got a minute? Nominate Metal to win £5k in Movement for Good from Benefact Group 🌟 Help us to continue supporting artists, creatives & other curious people to follow hunches, explore dreams and probe problems through creativity. Vote by 11 Oct here: bit.ly/4dyMsEl 🤞