RSA Events Summer 2012

Tuesday 15th May
Birmingham Central Library Theatre will provide the excellent venue for our May event. Appropriately, on Tuesday 15th May between 5.30pm - 8pm, and entitled Re-imagining the Library in the 21st Century, John Blewitt FRSA will talk to us about the work he's been doing with local libraries in Birmingham to make sure that they remain relevant - and open. We will explore ways in which we might support him to take the project forward. John has been supported in this project by 2 RSA Catalyst grants and there will be an opportunity to also hear more about this process from Alex Watson from RSA HQ, as well as that of the RSA West Midlands Venture Fund. For more information about this please contact from Keith on keith@leapsandbounds.org.uk or John on J.D.BLEWITT@aston.ac.uk

Friday 22nd June 7pm - 9pm

Lee Benson FRSA, from Number 9 the Gallery, Brindley Place is once again kindly throwing open his gallery for our RSA WM summer charity event. This year the chosen charity is Acorn Children's' Hospice. Keith Horsfall along with his friends will be presenting Baroque'n' Roll - an enjoyable interactive experience with images and live music which traces the links between music and art from mediaeval times right up to the present day. There is no charge but we will be devising cunning plans, including a charity bar, to relieve you of your cash! As space is limited it would be helpful if you could let Keith know if you intend to come along or contact Lee on lee@numberninethegallery.com

Coventry

Thursday 17 May 2012 Visit to RSA Whitley Academy Abbey Road, Coventry, CV3 4BD during School Hours 1.45-4pm

The Academy has invited Fellows to visit the school between 1.45pm and 4pm. The visit will include a tour of the school with students, an opportunity to observe lessons and a meeting with Opening Minds teaching staff. The timing may be difficult for many Fellows but, if you can create the space in your calendar, this is a great opportunity to see the school and the Opening Minds Curriculum in action which should inform our discussions on 27th June.

Wednesday 27th June 2012 RSA Coventry Network 5.30-8pm

The Coventry RSA Network will also meet on Wednesday 27th June 2012 at the RSA Whitley Academy, 6-8pm - with light refreshments available from 5.30.

Please could you let Pat Kenrick know, patkenrick@btinternet.com , if you are able to attend either of these events so she can provide the school with numbers.

The Academy has also invited Fellows to attend the Whitley Festival on Monday 23rd July 2012 12-3pm (Climbing Wall, Bungee Run, Laser Quest, Stalls, BBQ & Music!) and the Prospective Y7 Parents Evening on Thursday 13th September 2012 6 -7.45pm.

Worcester

Tuesday 29th May 6-7.30pm, Worcester City Centre (exact venue tbc), the psychology of active citizenship. Talk and discussion by Mike Munro Turner FRSA, an executive leadership coach who specialises in this area. For more information on this event and the two below please contact the RSA Fellowship Councillor for West Midlands, Julia Goodfellow-Smith, on julia@questforfuturesolutions.co.uk

Wednesday 20th June 6-7.30pm
Coffeehouse discussion starting with progress on the two projects started earlier this year – leveraging Fellows’ financial clout to effect positive change and developing a low carbon economy in Worcestershire. Costa coffee house opposite the Guildhall, Worcester.

Tuesday 17th July 6.45pm
Guided walk around Malvern with Carl Flint FRSA, author of two books of guided walks in the area. Meet at 6.45pm at Malvern Priory. We’ll probably go on somewhere for dinner afterwards (venue to be confirmed).

The RSA Academy – helping our students through university

The RSA Academy would like to be able provide up to £1000 per year for a small group of our most needy students to enable them to fulfill their promise and get a degree. As you know, the RSA Academy in Tipton is in the Black Country, an area of considerable social and economic deprivation. The costs of higher education are putting some of our students off. We want to establish a Post -16 Bursary Fund which would enable those students in most financial need to apply for a small grant to help them through university.

We are organising an online auction of promises as one way of raising money for this fund. If you would like to help us by either bidding for one of the lots or would like to make a donation please contact me, Lesley James, at James.l@rsaacademy.org – all contributions will make a difference and will be hugely appreciated!