From Source To Sea

 

Severn Project Summary by Creative Producer, Sue Goodwin

Sue Goodwin was the initiator and creative producer of the Severn Project, once she had the idea for the project she needed to build a partnership of co-producers and artists to shape the project and extend its reach along the river from Shropshire to Gloucestershire.

After researching the work of a range of street arts companies and artists she commissioned Desperate Men Theatre Company to lead a series of creative planning workshops to develop the idea for arts events and activities along the length of the river Severn. It was felt that their approach of well-researched, interpretive and imaginative performances and their experience of designing performances for intimate and medium sized audiences would be appropriate for rural communities.

Phase 1. Creative Planning Day 1 for Shropshire County Council Cultural Services, Social Care and Education Staff

A creative process performed and led by Desperate Men inspired people to explore new ways of presenting information, stories and creative ideas that interpret the river Severn. Archivists, curators, countryside officers, librarians, teachers, youth workers and day centre officers worked together to develop ideas for community involvement in the Severn Project.

'The Severn Boat Box Project' by arts organisation 'Once – arts and ceremonies' was commissioned by Shropshire Archives working in collaboration with the Arts Service using original archive material to inspire a participatory arts project.

Phase 2. Creative Planning Week for Arts Organisations and artists

Shropshire and Telford Arts Development Services set up a unique opportunity for artists and creative industries to collaborate with some of the leading artists from the UK's Street Arts sector.

Directed by Desperate Men the artists came together for two days to be introduced to the project and to explore what their collaborative artistic responses would be. Over the following 5 days they developed their performance pieces and on the last day they performed the work to an audience of cultural services staff from Shropshire and Telford local authorities and invited potential future partners.

A turning point for the project the Creative Planning Week brought together the co-commissioning partnership between Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin, Wyre Forest District Council, Malvern District Council and Gloucestershire County Council.

Creative Industries and artists involved were: Jon Beedell, Richard Headon, Shirley Pegna, Desperate Men; James Chaplin, Strangelings; Jo Davis, Andrew Jarman, Liz Kyneston, The Project Group, Sally Edwards, Rachel Freeman, Rachel Liggitt, Blueyed Soul Dance, Edward Taylor, Whalley Range Allstars; Simon Pascoe, Red Earth; Ray Jacobs, Maggie Love, Wren Miller, Hilary Ramsden, Jason Walsh, Hilary Westlake, Rick Wilson.

Phase 3. Creative Planning Day 3 for Gloucestershire Council officers and artists

The success of the Creative Planning Days in Shropshire led to a workshop for artists and council officers in Gloucester. It was well attended and brought together a wide range of artists and arts organisations. Partnerships were formed and ideas explored.

The day provided a clear direction for Gloucestershire County Council Arts Service in developing their approach to delivering the Severn Project 2007 and 2009.

What happened next?

The programme of creative planning days led to formation of the co-commissioning partnership of 9 local authorities and an application to Arts Council England for 2007 which included commissioning the show 'Sturgeon Moon' which was performed in Gloucester, Upton on Severn, Worcester, Bewdley, Bridgnorth and Ironbridge.

In 2008, Shropshire and Worcestershire collaborated to commission 'Sabrina and the Engineer' performed in Bewdley and Bridgnorth with a linked education programme for schools and youth groups.

In 2009, Gloucestershire County Council led a partnership with their District Councils to commission poet Alice Oswald and a team of local artists to deliver an integrated education programme.