Five New Creative Commissions for 2026
Last week’s Youth Strategy update confirmed what we’ve been feeling for years: over the past 15 years, funding for young people has fallen by 73%, and three quarters of youth spaces have closed. The places where young people should be supported to connect, learn and thrive are disappearing - and the impact is being felt across communities in the West Midlands.
Whilst talent development programmes like Community Routes & Gallery37 can’t fix this alone, they provide a useful solution for young people to develop, be seen, grow networks, and build futures within the creative industries.
Earlier this summer, more than 250 young people applied for one of just 50 places on Community Routes. We extended capacity slightly and welcomed over 60 exciting creatives from across Birmingham and the West Midlands into our intensive residency which included 5 camps - Event Production, Music Technology, Vocal Performance, Graphic Design and Film, and the Residency ended with a sold out Industry Networking event with over 40 industry names, in partnership with Rio Ferdinand Foundation. In the weeks since, participants have taken part in masterclasses to develop skills in finance, marketing, networking and branding skills.
So what’s next? We’re proud to announce five new commissioned projects taking place in 2026.
We’ve allocated £8,000 to support five bold ideas. We are funding artists and event producers to deliver music releases, exhibitions, events and public-facing work rooted in their communities and passions. Alongside bringing their projects to life, each commission supports artists to develop transferable skills in areas such as producing, budgeting, networking, marketing and delivery - tools they can carry into any future career.
Selecting the commissions was no easy task.
All Community Routes participants were invited to apply, with 20 brilliant ideas submitted. From there, we hosted a live pitching session with 12 shortlisted creatives, each presenting their project to a small Punch panel. The room was full of ambition, vulnerability, passion and bold thinking, making the decision really difficult.
We’re excited to share that our five commissions for 2025 will be…
Snapshot by Anna-Mhairi Kane
A four-part transmedia interview and portrait series documenting underrepresented creatives across Birmingham and the Black Country.
Combining film, audio, writing and photography, Snapshot prioritises ethical storytelling, accessibility and artist agency - creating a lasting digital archive of local creative practice.
Introducing Stacey & Tracey by Stacey & Tracey
After years of live performance and building a large online following, Stacey & Tracey will be creating their first music releases.
These singles mark their transition into recording artists, sharing music rooted in their identity as young Black women from the West Midlands.
Shaving the Surface: Queering the Barber’s Chair by Korey Gabriella
A visual art project exploring queer identity in traditionally heteronormative barber shops.
Using photography, sculpture and sound, the work will culminate in a public exhibition that makes visible the emotional experiences often hidden in everyday spaces.
Emerging Perspectives by Anya Kalsi
A debut solo exhibition by emerging Asian female artist Anya Kalsi.
The project moves her work from studio to gallery, strengthening visibility, professional confidence and future funding pathways while championing underrepresented visual artists.
MESSY Presents: Ready For The Amen? – Daisy & Priya
Daisy and Priya are combining their passions for nightlife, DJing, and creating inclusive, community-rooted events.
With aligned ethoses and complementary experience, they will co-produce a grassroots, high-energy club night centred around diversity, representation, and intentional safe-space culture. The event will platform female, non-binary, queer, and QTIPOC DJs across Jungle, Footwork, Grime, Dubstep, and Bass, filling a clear gap in Birmingham’s nightlife ecosystem.
If you want more updates on the commissions and find out when they get launched, make sure to sign up to our newsletter or follow us on Instagram.