JFK FOR FLOODGATE STREET – Seems the old mosaic is destined for Floodgate Street following last night’s consultation meeting at The Irish Centre. Even better news is that:
Proposals to revamp the artwork by including more contemporary figures such as Nelson Mandela – described as “crazy” by Cabinet Member for Leisure, Sport and Culture Martin Mullaney – were rejected.
YouTube – The Rea Garden – As part of the 24hr Big Culture Blog, Councillor Martin Mullaney visits Arlene Burnett and Paul Newman from Behind Closed Doors at the Rea Garden, Floodgate Street and talks to them about their development of the artist project space.
martin mullaney > Grants for new niche festivals in Birmingham – Councillor Martin Mullaney announces the Emerging Festivals Fund – which will award grants of £500 to £4,999 for small local festivals. The deadline for applications is 4th February 2010. What do you think – is there a festival you’d like to see happen in Digbeth that could be eligible? Could the Digbeth O’Lympics get even bigger this year with some money behind it? Perhaps, although it may need to cut back on sporting events that use Martin Mullaney’s face as a target.
The Stirrer – New Festival Street for Brum – Birmingham City Council Cabinet Member for Leisure, Sport and Culture Martin Mullaney proposes that Digbeth High Street becomes Birmingham’s “Festival Street”, with regular road closures to host major arts events.
”Making Digbeth High Street into the City’s Festival Street would (a) regenerate both sides of the High Street (b) ensure that Digbeth becomes Birmingham cultural and creative quarter….the bars and shops are already in place, plus a road (Bradford Street) running parallel along which buses can run.”
Which is all very well, but I feel the need to ask the obvious – how will the council deal with noise complaints from local residents who find the festivals disruptive?
