TALENT development programmes

gallery37

  • The Gallery37 Residency is Birminghams flagship creative development programme investing in the city’s next generation of artists, with an alumni of over 300 artists.

    This FREE programme offers Birmingham-based artists (16-25 years) a significant opportunity to boost their career in the creative industries, focused on nurturing creative talent from across the city’s diverse communities and neighbourhoods.

    Focusing on multiple artforms, we experiment and collaborate, responding to the next generation of creatives, makers and producers. We offer personal, professional and creative development support and opportunities and aim to help build and encourage artists to fulfil their ambitions.

  • Gallery37 is a three year programme where we invest in Birmingham’s creative future with a residency, mentoring, commissioning and more. This means that applications for this programme come around every three years.

  • Applications are currently closed until 2026. In the meantime you can sign up to our newsletter to see updates or visit the Gallery37 website.

parlay a&r academy

  • Punch are working with Parlay Records to develop a new wave of female A&R talent in the Midlands

  • The Parlay A&R Academy is a 9 month programme to learn directly from some of the UK’s most renowned A&R’s, network with major labels and build a portfolio of work.

  • Applications are currently closed but keep up to date by signing up to the newsletter to see updates or visit Parlay Records Instagram.

in the room

  • A Limited live event & podcast series of conversations with hard-to-access industry professionals. Discussing topics which impact emerging artists including deep dives into the careers and real life experiences of guests.

  • In The Room’s podcast will launch in 2024 - sign up to the newsletter for updates.

  • You can expect another season of In The Room’s live events to take place in late 2024 - sign up to the newsletter for further updates.

back in

  • BACK IN is a flagship programme investing in Birmingham’s future black filmmakers. Reaching creative talent from across the city region’s diverse communities and vibrant neighbourhoods and supporting them through a training & commissioning programme.

  • Daniel Alexander is the creative producer and curator of the region's leading Black film development programme, Back In, which has commissioned over eighteen filmmakers from diverse backgrounds.

  • Subscribe to Punch Records on Youtube to see recent and future commissions from BACK IN filmmakers.

the p word

  • The “P” Word is PUNCH's leadership development programme for artists and creative entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds.

    It specifically targets professional and practical 'roadblocks' preventing participants' growth and success, and is supported by leadership experts from Aston University's Centre for Research in Ethnic Minority Entrepreneurship (CREME).

  • CREME was established in 2004 as a joint venture between a regional development agency (East Midlands Development Agency) with a passion for promoting enterprise amongst all communities, and a group of researchers committed to making a difference at ground level.

  • Make sure to be following Punch Records LinkedIn and CREME’s LinkedIn for future updates.

community routes

  • Community Routes is an exciting new FREE programme packed with workshops, mentorship and a residency dedicated to equip the next generation of young creative professionals in the West Midlands with the skills and support that they need to thrive in the Creative Industries, across five key areas - Creative Production, Music Technology, Film, Vocal Performance and Digital Arts.

  • Following the success of our ongoing programme Gallery37, Community Routes, will offer 50 spaces for young creative professionals in the West Midlands, 18 - 25 with the opportunity to develop their creative & professional skills, beginning with a Residency in August 2024, swiftly followed by masterclasses, assigned industry mentors and a chance to showcase work & network with the wider Creative Industries.

    Community Routes will take place ever year for 3 years.

  • Applications are currently open here.

“Being a part of Gallery37 has seen a fundamental change in myself and my creativity. It changed my whole life and has given me the freedom to allow me to experiment. I got experience, both artistically, and commercially and got jobs off of Gallery37 & Headspace by creating strong networks, [including] over 1K worth of work”

— Hayley Salter, Gallery37 participant, @hayleycsalter