Good news

Ten weeks ago I decided it was time to do something about empty shops in my hometown of Bedford. I made an application to the RSA and was awarded a small grant to create a mini arts festival using empty shops. I teamed up with a fellow Bedfordian Erica Roffe and in a matter of weeks we have secured the use of seven empty shops in the brand new but largely empty 'cultural quarter' of the town. Our event, the Castle Quay Weekender, is planned for the 19th and 20th March. We have secured local artists and performers including John Hegley the comic poet, and will have acoustic music, tours of the area, market stalls, burlesque performances and installation art.We are blogging as we go so that others can learn from our experiences. Hope to see you there!

20th January 2011

Each year the good people at the Marston Vale Forest Centre hold the Woodworks festival to celebrate all things wiid! They are host to chainsaw demonstrations, local wildlife groups, arts, crafts, beekeeper, boatmakers and drummers. A local group of wordsmiths, fibs and fables, tell stories. Goodthings were happy to contribute our beloved bell tent to house the story telling tent. A modest contribution we know, but one which belies a deeply held belief that the tradition of storytelling, in all its forms, should be encouraged and enabled.

6th September 2010

Goodthings is happy to announce that we can now offer the Arts Award at silver and bronze level.

Arts Award is a qualification which supports young people to develop as artists and arts leaders.

Young people set their own arts challenges, explore local arts activities and the professional arts world, and undertake a leadership project.

The award appeals to a wide range of young people aged 11-25, and can be achieved at Bronze, Silver and Gold levels in any art form, although goodthings can only currently offer it at Silver and Bronze. It is accredited by QCA (Qualifications Curriculum Authority) at Levels 1, 2 and 3 on the English National Qualifications Framework. Trinity College London is the awarding body for the Arts Award and work in close partnership with Arts Council England. Further information can be found at www.artsaward.org.uk

Arts Award aspires to support any young person to enjoy the arts, develop creative and leadership skills, and achieve a credible national qualification. Arts Award re- flects many different interests and ambitions, respects individual development and helps young people to define their creative future

Our first cohort will be with the Parent Lead and Community Education group in Bedford, PLACE. If you are a youth group or community organisation that would like to offer the Arts Award to your young people then please do contact us.

17th August 2010