GENSOCIAL
THE INNER city area of Aston in Birmingham has a second multi media arts centre with the opening of a facility by a mother and daughter team from the city.
The Eloquent Arts Centre (EAC), situated just off the Aston Expressway, was set up to be “a multi-purpose hub, committed to providing a safe space for creative arts development, business and community.”
The EAC was opened a year to the day after The Legacy Centre of Excellence, another black-led arts initiative was re-launched nearby.
Ability
The team behind the EAC believe it has the ability “to strengthen families, engage young people, build confidence, connect the disconnected and develop future leaders and creatives who will contribute impactfully to our wider society.”
The EAC comprises several studios for dance and music, classroom teaching and photography.
Opened just as figures on the coronavirus infection rate continued to spiral in the greater Birmingham area, Romanah Malcolm, who is the driving force behind EAC with co-director/ mother Janice Davis, said: “We are paying close attention to government guidelines regarding COVID-19 to assure the safety of their staff and visitors.
“We took the necessary steps in receiving guidance from Public Health England to ensure all who attended adhered to social distancing guidelines and kept safe throughout the duration of the event.
Creatives
“This will be an open space for creatives to grow artistically and unleash their full potential. On the back of the work that we have been doing in the community for the previous 6 years, we also recognised a need for a space/ a home away from home for those who want to explore and develop their creative arts, build business ideas and other opportunities.”
Romanah added: “Not only is the arts centre a pivotal part for the arts community, it is also built with a focus to create new and exciting opportunities for the BAME communities within the area.
“At a time where people have become more culturally sensitive, due to the disproportionate way COVID-19 has affected BAME communities and the more widely spread awareness around Black Lives Matter, it is important for us to open up our doors to engage the BAME community within Eloquent Arts Centre.”
