Kate Andrews has been hired as a freelance cultural project manager for a three year commission to develop heritage and creative programs at Stirchley Baths, a Grade II listed Edwardian swimming baths in Birmingham that has been restored as a community hub. In the first year, she established a volunteer program that engaged 29 volunteers who contributed 523 hours. Community events included hard hat tours during construction, an exhibition of local photographs on the construction hoardings, and the creation of a community time capsule. Arts programs included an collaborative sound installation and a ceremonial key commission. Challenges in the first year included hosting an outdoor pool party event during the building's construction.

1. STIRCHLEY BATHS
Make a splash!

2. KATE ANDREWS
FREELANCE CULTURAL PROJECT MANAGER
Freelance cultural project manager and arts marketer with over a decade experience working with arts, heritage
and cultural organisations;
Audience development and outreach projects, festivals and events and arts marketing campaigns;
Clients include Birmingham City Council, Wolverhampton Arts & Heritage, Mac Birmingham, Barber Institute of
Fine Arts, Fierce Festival and Craftspace.

3. STIRCHLEY BATHS
HERITAGE COMMISSION
Three year commission to develop, manage and deliver community heritage and creative activity and centre wide
historical interpretation for the Stirchley Baths project.
Development of volunteer and training programme
Programming regular heritage and creative participatory activity and events
Commissioning of new artworks, exhibitions and installations
Development of digital programmes and engagement
Community consultation
Commission and management of other freelance producers and specialist contractors

4. STIRCHLEY BATHS
Grade II Listed Edwardian swimming baths in Stirchley, Birmingham; saved and restored as a new
community hub.
- Opened in 1911 and closed in 1986, subsequently fallen into considerable disrepair
- The refurbishment included creating a new community facility for Stirchley.
- The project includes a variety of flexible community spaces for local sporting and community
groups, training rooms, offers a venue for public meetings and social events, a local cafe and even
a local cinema.
- Local residents have had a chance to get involved in this project, whilst learning new skills through
the heritage programme and have supported community events, fundraising, exhibitions, talks,
tours and educational programme happenings at this historical Birmingham gem.

11. YEAR ONE
VOLUNTEER PROGRAMME
Offered varied opportunities and experiences
for volunteers
Collaborative digital and art projects
Event coordination and support
Photography and historical research.
Various digital training was provided
Volunteers can earn swimming style badges
when active for 50 or 100 hours at the baths.
29 ACTIVE HERITAGE VOLUNTEERS
523 VOLUNTEER HOURS LOGGED

12. YEAR ONE
BRANDING PROJECT
Stirchley Baths past and present to be
represented within the visual communication of
the project. Public consultation of name and
working in collaboration with local designer
Kerry Leslie.
COMMUNITY
HARD HAT TOURS
Immediate feedback and ownership over new
development with community groups and
individuals.

13. YEAR ONE
HOARDINGS EXHIBITION
Community photographs exhibited along the front
of the development May - November 2015.
Allowed participants to gain ownership of the
development and also provided an insight into the
works for the passing public.
80 IMAGES SUBMITTED
COMMUNITY TIME CAPSULE
A new 2016 time capsule was created with
community involvement and installed within the
‘well’ area of the cafe. Kate briefed and managed
freelancer Louise Deakin to lead the public
consultation.

14. YEAR ONE
STIRCHLEY HISTORY
GROUP
Development of a new Stirchley History group to
build pride in the local area, build skills and
develop historical assets for wider city benefits
LOCAL, REGIONAL
& NATIONAL EVENTS
Developed events and activity with Stirchley Bash
(Friends of Stirchley Park), Birmingham’s Heritage
Week and National Heritage Open Days

15. YEAR ONE
ADVANCE WITH FEATHERS
ART COMMISSION
A collaborative art commission which engages
Stirchley residents, patients at St Andrews
hospital, schools, volunteers and wider
Birmingham arts community.
Working with sound artist Justin Wiggan to
produce a unique collaborative sound piece and
live performance.

16. YEAR ONE
CEREMONIAL KEY
CRAFT COMMISSION
Birmingham based designer makers Bella &
Magnus were commissioned to design and
produce a 2015 ceremonial key that represented
the future of Stirchley Baths and the activity that
will happen in the centre.
The key is on display with the original 1911 key
which is on long term loan from Birmingham
Museums Trust.

17. STIRCHLEY BATHS
HERITAGE INTERPRETATION
Light touch approach - let building speak for itself
Based on community involvement - history and memories
Interpretation as conversation starter
Using the past to look forward to future Stirchley
Ever - evolving interpretation, will be refreshed over time

18. STIRCHLEY BATHS
HERITAGE INTERPRETATION

19. STIRCHLEY BATHS
YEAR TWO ACTIVITY
Volunteer programme and training
1940s Day
Monthly tours
Local history day
Young Person’s Film Project
Reminiscence project for people living with dementia
Heritage Crafts Day
Storytelling events
Education programme

20. STIRCHLEY BATHS
POOL PARTY
Introduce the community to the new building
Interpet the building’s swimming and baths heritage
Launch the three year heritage programme with community focus
Celebrate Heritage Open Days, link nationally
Celebrate Birmingham Heritage Week, link regionally

21. STIRCHLEY BATHS
POOL PARTY - CHALLENGES
Building still belonged to contractor - not yet finished
No infrastructure on site, power, lighting, toilets, running water,
accessible entrance
Make the building site carpark into workable event space for 150 people
Unknown audience, who would attend?
Outside event in September - weather
Free event, but booking needed - would people attend?
Reliant on volunteers, centre doesn’t have any staff

22. STIRCHLEY BATHS
POOL PARTY - CHALLENGES
Worked with Balfour Beattie who provided staff, power, temporary lighting. Hired a portaloo!
Spent the morning of the event to transform a working building site into a safe event space, with the
help of community volunteers and contractors
Built a local audience through existing community links and wider audience through HW and HODs
Provided shelter and chairs
Free booking didn’t work - had some drop off due to weather, will rethink for 2016
Built a volunteer base months ahead to support the event

23. STIRCHLEY BATHS
POOL PARTY
Celebratory atmosphere, light touch heritage approach to bridge audience to programme
Film screening of MACE archive films - Midlands baths footage, international animation, short films and
music videos
Tours of the baths redevelopment with a heritage focus
Live music by 3 local musical acts

26. ANY QUESTIONS?
Kate Andrews
Freelance Cultural Project Manager
www.kateandrews.me
Kate@kateandrews.me
@katiemandrews