A private view of Thresholds
2017-07-20 14:30 - 15:30 UTC
Join us and go back in time to the dawn of photography with Thresholds, a new virtual reality artwork by Mat Collishaw. Thresholds is showing at The Waterhall Gallery, BMAG, and we are delighted to offer our members and their guests a private viewing on Thursday 20 July from 3.30pm – 4.30pm. Using the latest in VR technology, Thresholds restages one of the earliest exhibitions of photography in 1839, when British scientist William Henry Fox Talbot first presented his photographic prints to the public at King Edward’s School in Birmingham.
The experience is a fully immersive portal to the past; people are able to walk freely throughout a digitally reconstructed room, and touch the bespoke vitrines, fixtures and mouldings; even the heat from a coal fire is recreated. A soundscape for Thresholds includes the sound of demonstrations of the Chartist protesters who rioted in 1839 on the streets of Birmingham, and can be glimpsed through the digital windows.
The original 19th-century exhibition, staged by the British Association for the Advancement of Science, celebrated cutting edge technological innovation. Unfortunately, Fox Talbot’s original images have faded almost beyond recognition with several of the surviving photographs existing only in light-proof vaults. Thresholds not only restages an important historical exhibition but provides a way to view images that have since been lost.
Mat worked with photographic historian Pete James; Paul Tennent from Nottingham University’s Mixed Reality Laboratory; respected authority on Fox Talbot, Larry Schaaf; Architect / Architectural Historian David Blissett; the team at VMI studios and The Whitewall Company, London.
Thresholds was first presented by Somerset House and Photo London, in collaboration with Blain|Southern gallery. The project is supported by: Colmore Business District, Birmingham City University, King Edward’s School, The Schools of King Edward’s Birmingham, BOM, an Art Fund Jonathan Ruffer Curatorial Grant, the Ruddock Foundation for the Arts and the exhibition’s touring partners.
“The dawning of a new art form … this is the future”
BBC Radio 4 Saturday Review
Tickets are £4.50 plus usual online booking fee.
Book here.

Brum's Big Conservation Area Buz Tour
2017-09-07 17:00 - 19:00
Did you know that Birmingham has 30 Conservation Areas?
To kick off Heritage Week and to mark the 50th anniversary of Conservation Areas, Birmingham Civic Society are organising a guided tour of Birmingham’s Conservation Areas. Join us on the Big Brum Buz for a tour around some of the city’s Conservation Areas, learning about the stories behind them and why they are areas of special interest for our city.
The tour will finish at the Gunmakers’ Arms in the Gun Quarter, where you will be able to enjoy a pint of Birmingham Civic Society’s Civic Pride ale, specially brewed by Two Towers Brewery to celebrate our centenary year in 2018. Ticket price includes a pint of Civic Pride or a glass of house wine/soft drink.
Birmingham Civic Society are partnering with Civic Voice, Birmingham Architectural Association and RIBA West Midlands and the event is kindly sponsored by EH Smith.
Book on Eventbrite

Civic Debate – Birmingham: A Real City of Culture?
2017-09-28 17:00 - 19:00 | UK Will Have School Lesson
In recent months, Birmingham has seen a surge in positive press coverage regarding its cultural offer – from museums to music, galleries to theatres, dance performances to pop-up festivals – Birmingham is the place to be. And last year more people chose to relocate to the city from London than any other city in the UK.
People are travelling from across the UK and abroad to sample the cultural offer of our city. But is this sustainable? Will the perception that the UK’s second city fails to deliver culturally be too hard to shake off?
Many will remember Birmingham lost out in 2008 as European Capital of Culture and then again in 2013 as the UK’s first City of Culture. With so many of our galleries, theatres and museums facing the ever-looming cuts to budgets, are we in a cultural bubble that’s ready to pop? Or is our city on the brink of a real cultural revolution that could positively change the perceptions of regional culture for generations to come?
Come and join the debate alongside a panel of cultural gurus and have your say!
Book on Eventbrite

Next Generation Awards - The Finals
2017-10-05 17:00 - 19:30
The Finals and Award Ceremony for the 2016/17 Next Generation Awards Programme are ran by The Birmingham Civic Society with kind support from Newman University, The Royal Bank of Scotland, Anthony Collins Solicitors and Professional Polishing Services Ltd.
The finals are to be held on the ground floor of The Royal Bank of Scotland (Brindley Place) on Thursday 5th October, starting at 6.30 pm. The evening will conclude around 8.30 pm, drinks and light refreshments will be provided by our hosts The Royal Bank of Scotland.
On the evening, the five finalists of the Next Generation Awards 2016/17 from Lordswood Boys’ School, King Edward VI Handsworth School for Girls, Turves Green Girls’ School, Balaam Wood School and King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Girls will make their Gold Award winning presentations and a panel of judges representing the Society and Birmingham businesses will judge their project ideas and decide on an overall winner, to win £1500 to put their ideas into action. Representatives from all of the Birmingham Secondary Schools that participated in the programme will also be presented with plaques to commemorate their participation in the awards scheme in 2016/2017 by Deputy Lord Mayor Councillor Carl Rice.
Our judges took a long while to deliberate following the semi-finals, which is testament to the exceptional standard this year. We had a fantastic range of projects, some very confident and engaging presentations and some wonderful examples of how participating in the Next Generation Awards makes a real impact on the pupils involved.
Book on Eventbrite

Renaissance Award 2016 Celebration
2017-10-17 17:00 - 18:30
On Tuesday 17th October we will be unveiling our 2016 Renaissance Award to The Pig & Tail (former George & Dragon) public house.
We will present the Award to the owners and key members of the team that helped to successfully restore the building and bring it back into vibrant use.
Please find below the Planning Committee’s citation regarding the building:
The committee were highly impressed by renovation of the former George & Dragon public house (Grade II) and the commitment and vision of those involved in the restoration of the building. The building had fallen into a very poor condition and it’s demolition looked very likely. However, it was brave decision to commit to restoring this building and bringing it back into vibrant use. The committee considered the refurbishment to be very successful. The uniqueness and character of the original building has been celebrated and is integral to building as a whole. The fact that it has been retained as a public house is equally commendable and demonstrates that sometimes, the original purpose is always the best. The development has discretely incorporated apartments to the upper floors which the committee felt reflected the changing nature of the Jewellery Quarter as a a place to live, work and play. There should be more developments of this nature and quality within the Jewellery Quarter. Although small in scale, it certainly makes up for it in courage, commitment and vision for bringing this important building back into positive use.

Please note this is an invite only event

Signpost Event - BBAP "In Conversation with Andy Street"
2017-10-26 11:00 - 14:00
On 4 May 2017, Andy Street was elected to serve an initial three-year term as Mayor, working with council leaders and the chairs of the Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) to deliver the West Midlands’ devolution programme. A key part of Andy’s role is to act as an advocate and global ambassador for the West Midlands and to chair the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA). Patrick Burns, Political Editor, BBC will interview Andy about his first five months in the job, and what he feels are the essential characteristics of a great city, followed by Q & A session. Profits from the lunch will help raise funds for the Birmingham Big Art Project*.
£45 per person, including arrival drink, 2 course lunch with wine, tea & coffee
Book via Eventbrite
*The Birmingham Big Art Project is a registered charity looking to commission a major work of public art for Birmingham City Centre which will put Birmingham and this region on the world stage.

Signpost Event - Divine Beauty Evening
2017-11-09 18:15 - 20:30
Birmingham Cathedral invite you to an evening launching their ambition to restore and celebrate the remarkable stained-glass windows at Birmingham Cathedral.
Welcome and Speeches by the Bishop of Birmingham & the Dean of Birmingham as well as a performance by Birmingham Cathedral Choir at 6.35pm.
If you would like to attend please RSVP to rsvp@birminghamcathedral.com and to learn more click here.

Blue Plaque Unveiling to William Gear - Invitation Only
2017-11-13 13:00 - 14:30
The distinguished artist, William Gear [1915-1997] was a pioneer of post-war abstract art painting, who lived and worked in Birmingham for over thirty years. He was an important artist, curator and educator, and his paintings figure in Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery collections, the Tate Gallery, National Galleries of Scotland as well as elsewhere. He was also Head of Fine Art at the Birmingham School of Art from 1964 – 1975.

He has been nominated for a Blue Plaque by his son, David, in particular because this year marks 20 years since his death, and we are unveiling the plaque at the RBSA Gallery, who are staging an exhibition of his work – Colour and Form: William Gear [1915-1997] from 1 – 18 November.

The plaque will eventually be placed on his home [and studio] at 46 George Road, Edgbaston, where he lived and worked from 1964-1997.

AGM and Centenary Launch
2017-11-16 17:15 - 20:00
Join us on Thursday 16 November, 5 for 5.15pm for our 2017 AGM held at the offices of DWF at One Snowhill.
Following the formal part of the evening, from 6 – 7.30pm we will be announcing our exciting plans for the Society’s Centenary year – ‘The City Beautiful’, and raising a glass of Civic Pride ale, to celebrate the Society’s achievements over the last 100 years, and to its future success.
We look forward to seeing you there.
RSVP by 15 November to confirm your attendance

Leader's Breakfast
2017-11-24 07:15 - 09:15
Join us for our Annual Leaders’ Breakfast, with guest speaker Councillor Ian Ward, speaking to us, for the first time, as Leader of Birmingham City Council.
This event is for Civic Society corporate members and their guests. It includes coffee during the networking reception and a full English breakfast. If you have any special dietary requirements, please email info@birminghamcivicsociety.org.uk or use the contact option below to let us know.
Book on Eventbrite

Birmingham Trees for Life: Welsh House Farm
2017-11-29

Signpost Event: The Liveable City
2017-11-29 08:00 - 2017-11-30 17:00, 2017-11-30 08:00 - 17:00
The Liveable City is a celebration of architecture and urban planning where central and local government, businesses, politicians and professionals take part in talks, seminars and debates.
The two-day event features seminars addressing the question of how to find new ways in which cities can become better places to live, work and play as well as increase quality of
life for everyone.
The event is organised by the Royal Danish Embassy in the UK in partnership with Birmingham City Council, West Midlands Combined Authority and the Royal Institute of British Architects.
Find out more and book via Eventbrite.

Birmingham Trees for Life: Aldridge Road Recreation Ground
2017-11-30

Birmingham Trees for Life: Stirchley Park
2017-12-14

Unveiling of a Civic Society Blue Plaque to George Hunt [1892-1960] - Invitation Only
2017-12-21 13:00 - 14:30
On Thursday 21 December, 1 – 2.30pm we will be unveiling a Blue Plaque to George Hunt at St Peter’s Church Hall, Harborne. George Edward Hunt was a leading Arts and Crafts jewellery designer and maker who lived in Bull Street Harborne and had a studio in his garden. He is buried in St Peter’s churchyard, and 2017 is 125 years since his death.
He was nominated for a Blue Plaque by Philippa Russell, a local resident and an admirer of his work. We will be joined by Philippa for the unveiling, and hopefully the Lord Mayor, members of the Harborne Society, members of St Peter’s congregation, and the current and previous owners of his home in Bull Street, where the plaque will ultimately be installed.
Please note this is an invitation only event.
