Punch is an award-winning creative development agency transforming lives through music.
Founded in Birmingham in 1997 as a grassroots Black music record store, Punch has grown into one of the UK's leading organisations championing Black music, arts and culture through talent development, artistic programming, world-class touring and community participation.
We believe creativity has the power to transform lives. Rooted in Birmingham, UK and connected globally, we create platforms where underrepresented voices are seen, heard and celebrated.We're building a more representative, inclusive and exciting creative future. Working across music, film, visual arts, photography, dance and interdisciplinary practice, Punch creates major projects, events and opportunities for artists and future leaders to develop, connect and thrive.
Through pioneering programmes, commissions and partnerships, the organisation supports hundreds of emerging creatives each year while driving greater equity, representation and innovation across the UK's cultural landscape.
Where it all began
Punch was founded by Ammo Talwar MBE in Perry Barr, Birmingham, as a Black music record store.
More than somewhere to buy records, Punch quickly became a meeting place for DJs, artists and creative communities. It was a space where underground music found an audience and local talent found a platform.
As Birmingham's music scene evolved, so did Punch.
What started with vinyl, mixtapes and live events grew into national touring, artist development, cultural programming and international collaborations, while never losing sight of the communities that inspired it.
what drives us
Transforming Lives Through Music
We believe music is a powerful tool for social change - capable of creating opportunity, building confidence and shaping futures.
what we champion
We champion excellence, diversity and innovation.
Placing underrepresented voices at the centre of the UK’s cultural landscape and across wider society.
That's why we invest in emerging talent, champion underrepresented artists, develop ambitious cultural projects and create opportunities that help people build lasting careers in the creative industries.
our committment
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Positioning Black arts as a vital industry that delivers measurable social and economic impact through events, tours, and the production and commissioning of new work, creating opportunities for artists and communities alike.
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Initiating and delivering learning and creative programmes that generate practical outcomes, including job creation, skills development, and pathways into sustainable careers, while strengthening local economies and social cohesion.
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Becoming a leading, ideas-driven organisation that champions partnerships across culture, tourism, education, community engagement, and music—maximising both the social benefits for young people and communities, and the wider economic value of creative activity.
Youth Impact
At a time when access to arts education and creative opportunities continues to decline, Punch is committed to creating pathways into the creative industries through inspiring, practical and industry-connected experiences.
Through programmes including Community Routes, Gallery37, Music Potential and many more, we've supported thousands of young people to develop new skills, build confidence, expand their networks and take the next step towards sustainable creative careers.
From first workshops to paid commissions, mentoring and professional opportunities, we're helping bridge the gap between potential and possibility.
• 100+ young people supported year on year
• 20+ years of youth development
• Paid commissions and festival opportunities every year
Championing Women
We believe everyone should have equal access to opportunities within music and the creative industries.
That's why we actively create spaces that support women and underrepresented genders to develop their skills, confidence and careers. Alongside dedicated women-focused programmes and events such as A&R Academy and All My Girls, aswell as partnering & sponsoring events such as Women In Music Awards, She Defined and MESSY we're committed to ensuring that 50% of facilitators across our programmes are women, providing visible role models and diverse perspectives for participants.
Today, over 60% of participants across our talent development programmes identify as women, reflecting our ongoing commitment to making creative opportunities more accessible, representative and inclusive.
Representation Matters
Punch was founded to celebrate Black music and culture, and that commitment continues to shape everything we do.
We work alongside artists, communities and organisations to amplify underrepresented voices, celebrate cultural identity and create opportunities where they're needed most.
With a team that that reflects the UK and our city, we understand the importance of representation, lived experience and authentic community engagement.
From neighbourhood projects including Birchfield Light Night and collaborations with BRIG and Friends of George's Park, to national programmes and international partnerships, we work with communities not simply for them but to create projects that reflect local stories and build lasting cultural impact.
Sustainable Development Goals
While our work is rooted in Birmingham's communities, many of the programmes, partnerships and projects we deliver contribute directly to these global goals by expanding access to education, reducing inequalities, supporting employment and strengthening communities through arts and culture.
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Punch programmes provide informal education opportunities through creative and music workshops, mentoring, training, experiential learning and work experience. These initiatives help young people develop artistic, technical, and transferable skills that support lifelong learning towards education and employment.
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Our programmes focus on giving those underrepresented to have access and opportunity, this includes addressing gender imbalances within music industry leadership by focusing support towards developing women to have careers across the music industry.
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By developing creative skills and providing professional networks, Punch programmes support pathways into employment within the music industry and related creative and non-creative sectors.
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Punch prioritises supporting young people from ethnically diverse and disadvantaged underrepresented communities, helping to address inequalities and barriers to accessing opportunities, networks, connections, and resources.
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The various public exhibitions, tours, festivals and community arts projects created by young people with h support of Punch contribute to vibrant cultural spaces, strengthening community engagement and urban cultural development.
defining moments
LEGACY
A landmark celebration of Birmingham's grime, hip-hop and rap music and culture.
LEGACY honoured the pioneers who shaped generations of music while inspiring those still to come.
Through a documentary series, book and sold-out orchestral performances in Symphony Hall, Birmingham and Southbank Centre, London this project reached over 800,000 people around the world.
JAMAICA LIVE
Produced during the London 2012 Olympic Games, Jamaica Live was a landmark cultural celebration welcoming more than 30,000 people to Birmingham.
The event celebrated Jamaican music, sport and culture while strengthening connections between Birmingham and one of the city's most influential cultural communities.
GALLERY37
Gallery37 is Birmingham's flagship creative residency, supporting emerging artists through residencies, mentoring, commissions and professional development.
Since relaunching the programme in the West Midlands, Punch has helped over 500 young creatives develop their practice, build confidence and launch careers across the creative industries, with many going on to have successful careers in various industries.
homelands
Homelands is an award-winning documentary series following four acclaimed British artists - Terri Walker, Shakka, Saskilla and Diztortion as they journey to the countries of their family heritage to explore the roots of their music, identity and culture.
Travelling to Jamaica, Dominica, Senegal and Suriname, the series celebrates the powerful connection between heritage and creativity while highlighting the global influence of Black music and culture. Produced by Punch, the project premiered at BFI Southbank and The Old Rep before reaching audiences worldwide through digital platforms.
Union Black
Created in partnership with Google Arts & Culture and YouTube, Union Black: Sounds of a Nation is a digital exhibition celebrating the history and influence of Black British music.
Working alongside more than 20 cultural organisations, the project preserved and amplified stories that have shaped Britain's musical identity for generations.
BASS Festival
Since 2006, BASS Festival has become one of the UK's leading celebrations of Black music, arts and culture.
Bringing together live performances, exhibitions, talks, commissions, club nights and community events, the festival has showcased internationally recognised artists while creating a platform for emerging talent and new creative voices.
Bhangra: Birmingham and Beyond
The world's first dedicated Bhangra book and touring exhibition documented the story of one of Britain's most influential musical movements.
Created by Punch with leading academics and creatives, the project has toured more than 75 venues from London to New York, celebrating the global impact of British Asian music and Birmingham's place at its heart.
community routes
Community Routes supports the next generation of creative professionals across the West Midlands.
Through paid opportunities, residencies and industry mentoring, the programme equips emerging talent with the skills, confidence and networks needed to build sustainable careers while creating a more inclusive and representative creative sector.
