Playing Out

Playing Out focused on community development and cohesion in Canley in Coventry, using play to deliver a listening and storytelling project that brings disabled and non-disabled people together.

Regular play workshops hosted at community venues engaged around 400 participants, including those with long-term illness and disability. The project included the production of two spectacular summer carnivals in 2022 and 2023 as part of the Birmingham 2022 Cultural Programme, inspired by the unique moment of the Games.

The Birmingham 2022 Cultural Programme was a world-class arts festival running from March to September 2022, alongside the sports programme. It included new work, installations, exhibitions, performances and major events across the West Midlands.

Spirit of 2012 awarded £200,000 to Warwick Arts Centre to create a new, inclusive art and culture project linked to the Commonwealth Games, following a collaboration between Spirit of 2012 and Birmingham 2022. Situated on Coventry’s University of Warwick campus, Warwick Arts Centre is an award-winning, multi-artform venue that delivers high quality, engaging, diverse programmes of performing and visual arts.

Warwick Arts Centre was one of three organisations to receive a share of £600,000 from the West Midlands Challenge Fund, a collaboration between Spirit of 2012 and Birmingham 2022. The fund was designed to help build strong communities, improve wellbeing and empower inclusive participation in the arts.