Who Are We?


We are a collective of creatives, educators and community leaders with an ambition and commitment to children’s arts and cultural education. We are hyperlocal and use place-based and co-created practice to strengthen and build on existing assets.Black Shale is hosted by Platform Thirty1Established 2016 📍 Alfreton, Derbyshire

Creative Schools


Ambitious collaborative practice through strategic development and investments, with children and young people's leadership and talents ignited and celebrated.• Colab Creators; seed investments to develop and pilot new collaborative approaches between creatives and schools
• Arts Award; youth talent and leadership development through qualifications
• Complementary Artsmark support; strategic arts and culture development with school SLT

Creative Communities


Hyperlocal youth-led activity, developing Young Creative Leaders in their community, and cultural collaborations to create grassroots legacy.• Go and see experiences; exchange visits to spark collaboration and inspiration
• Young Creative Leaders; leadership training and community volunteering
• Progression projects; extending collaborative practice

Creative Ecology


Increasing the depth and breadth of locally-owned opportunities and resilience of the cultural capital, through professional development, training and learning, alongside facilitated networking across community, education and creative peers.• Over The Garden Fence; half-termly practice sharing and networking events
• CPDL; practical arts and creative skill development workshops
• Buddying scheme; 10 pairs of partners exchanging skills and knowledge

Keep in touch

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