Community Routes plays a vital role in Birmingham, nurturing local creatives and strengthening the city’s creative industries. Now that you have all completed the Residency, we want to provide more space space, support, and opportunity for you to bring your ideas to life and take meaningful steps towards your chosen careers.

We have created masterclasses based on your collective feedback, shaping it to all of your needs, with industry experts leading each masterclass, you will gain invaluable insight and impactful tips and tricks to help you elevate your creative pathways towards success within your creative industry.

All Masterclasses will be based in Punch HQ, Zellig, Digbeth, B9 4AT.

Community routes masterclasses

Wednesday 5th November
Self Branding and Building Your Identity
Led by FOKAWOLF
Subversive Street Artist

Step into the world of self-branding with Birmingham legend FOKAWOLF. This exclusive masterclass will help you discover, define, and develop your personal brand identity.

Wednesday 12th November
Bringing Your Idea To Life With Marketing & Branding
Led by Mazzy Snape
Director of Bread Birmingham and Co-Founder & Promoter Night Owl

Turn your ideas into impactful realities with marketing and branding expert Mazzy Snape. In this session, you’ll explore how to take your personal brand DNA and use it to market yourself authentically. Learn how to build effective digital marketing campaigns, connect with your target audience, and bring your creative vision to life.

Wednesday 19th November
Self Branding and Building Your Identity
Led by Jonathan Williams
Freelance Photographer, Videographer and Content Creator

Navigate the world of creative freelancing with Jonathan Williams. This masterclass focuses on how to creatively and strategically support yourself - whether as a freelancer or within contracted work. You’ll gain insights into building a stable foundation for your career, maintaining balance, and sustaining long-term success in the creative industries.

Wednesday 26th November
Funding Your Vision
Led by Hannah Bashir-Eviston
Grants Coordinator at PRS Foundation

Learn how to turn your creative dreams into reality through effective funding strategies. Hannah Bashir-Eviston will demystify the funding process, breaking down complex jargon and revealing insider tips to strengthen your applications. Discover where to find opportunities, how to apply confidently, and what it takes to secure the support you need.

Wednesday 3rd December
Networking & Confidence
Led by Nina Robinson
CEO of Soundtruism & Former Board Director of AudioUK

Unlock the power of connection and confidence with Nina Robinson. This interactive masterclass will help you refine your networking skills, build meaningful relationships, and project confidence in professional settings. Elevate your personal brand, boost your self-assurance, and step into every room with boss energy.

Wednesday 10th December
Further Funding for the Future
Led by Simon Redgrave & Fahmida Choudhury
Investments & Development team at Punch Records

Break down the barriers to funding with Simon and Fahmida. This session dives deep into the realities of funding opportunities - when and how to apply, where to look, and which routes best suit your creative journey. Gain a clear understanding of the funding landscape and the tools to move forward with confidence and strategy.

Community routes commissions

Do you have a creative idea you’re ready to develop and bring to life? For the first time, we’re commissioning new work from our Community Routes programme - and we can’t wait to see the exciting projects you create.

No matter the creative discipline, we just want to support brilliant ideas. For our previous programmes, including The P Word and Gallery37, we have commissioned projects such as:

  • LEGACY - a short film exploring Grime and Rap in Birmingham

  • Reworlding - a multi-sensory environmental exhibition

  • TALES — the debut EP and series of music videos from Isabel Abbott

  • Heroes of History - a comic book celebrating important Black historical figures

Now, we’re investing in five new ideas from Community Routes artists. Each commission comes with up to £1,000 in funding, plus bespoke support from a Punch Producer to help you strengthen your technical skills, build industry connections, and make your project a reality.

What is the process?

Share your idea

Fill out the online application form and tell us what you’d love to create, why it excites you, and why it should be commissioned.
Applications close on September 24th.

Assessment

Our panel will spend time reading every application, exploring your ideas and considering the potential.
You’ll hear back from us with feedback by October 13th.

Bring it to life (the pitch!)
If your idea is shortlisted, you’ll be invited to pitch it in person to our panel on October 24th
This is your chance to bring your vision to life and share your passion directly with the team.

ready to apply?

Applications have now closed, feel free to reach out to lizzie@punch-records.co.uk or give us a call at the Punch Office 0121 794 024 if you have any queries.