Whats on: Wolverhampton Summer

Same Difference Youth Festival 2026

We are now getting ready for #WvSameDifference festival 2025 please save the date! It is taking place in West Park on Saturday 1 August 2026 11am-6pm there is going to be lots of exciting things to get involved in and all the activities are FREE.

Tickets will be released soon so watch please keep an eye of our social media!

All the latest information on the CEP and the 2026 Same Difference Festival can be found on the socials links are on the poster below.

For YOUNG performer applications please complete the application form HERE the deadline for applications is Friday Friday 5 June 2026:

We looking to receiving lots of exciting applications!

Any questions please contact Ros wolvescep@gmail.com

Visual Arts Trail

Calling all young creatives we are looking to engage with some different groups of young people who may potentially face more barriers in accessing the arts.

We are looking to recruit four small groups of young people. We would like to engage particularly with two groups from a SEND background and two groups attending a PRU provision. However, if you are interested and have any further questions please do get in touch.

Groups recruited will be able to join in our discussion and share your ideas to help shape the future of the visual arts trail.

If this is you and you are interested in getting involved please email:
m.puttick@wlv.ac.uk

Wolverhampton Art Gallery

Join us this May Half Term for a fantastic programme of creative workshops for children and young people aged 5–16. From making personalised self‑sculptures inspired by identity and storytelling to experimenting with bold acetate drawings projected at large scale, each session is hands‑on, playful and imaginative — perfect for young makers of all kinds.

Date: Tuesday 26 May
Title: Build Your Own “Self Sculpture”
Activity Overview: Children create a 40cm doll‑like self‑portrait sculpture using newspaper and masking tape, inspired by themes in Shaquelle Whyte’s figurative work. They reflect on identity, clothing, colours, personality, and interests, drawing details onto the finished sculpture.
Workshop Timings:
10:45–12:15
12:30–2:00
2:15–3:45
Capacity: 15 per session
Cost: £4
Take‑Home: A personalised 40cm (approx) “self sculpture.”
Book you or to find out more: https://wolverhamptonart.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/1173677015

Date: Thursday 28 May
Title: Big Ideas! – Projected Drawings Workshop
Activity Overview: Children draw on clear acetate sheets using colourful pens and cellophane. With an overhead projector, their drawings are projected large‑scale onto a wall, echoing the spirit of community‑curated art in the Georgian Gallery. Families then take their acetate artworks home to display in windows.
Workshop Timings:
10:45–11:45
12:00–1:00
1:30–2:30
2:45–3:45
Capacity: 10 per session
Cost: £4.50
Take‑Home: A completed acetate artwork for window display.
Book you or to find out more: https://wolverhamptonart.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/1173677017

ArtForum

Youth Programs for ages 14-25 years old at Wolverhampton Art Gallery

We are currently recruiting and would love to hear from you if you have a passion for art and creativity and would like to know more about how museums and galleries work behind the scenes then get in touch to find out more.

FREE and ALL welcome

Come and find out more about ArtForum and how to get involved in future projects too! For more information or to book your place please contact Ros: RosalindManasseh@gmail.com

Take a look at the ArtForum film produced recently in response to the Evelyn De Morgan exhibition working with artist Amber Drew:

And the audio piece that the ArtForum group produced recently with artist Fred Hubble responding to the Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2026 exhibition:

Both projects were produced working with RAG arts (Rosalind Manasseh) in collaboration with Dinosaur Kilby, Creative Producer: Digital at Wolverhampton Art Gallery.

Gazebo

Gazebo have a truly exciting programme of highly subsidised Theatre In Education available throughout the school year!

Coming up this Summer Term:

'If You See A Crocodile' for Nursery & Reception from 20 April 2026.
An imaginative, interactive show using puppets and popular action songs to engage young learners in early concepts including counting, shapes and letters.
The 5 little ducks have gone missing over the hills and far away. Help find them and bring them safely home before the crocodile snaps them up!

'Hidden Treasures' for Years 5, 6 & Key Stage 3 Touring June 2026
An engaging performance-based workshop that brings the rich history, cultures and achievements of ancient African civilisations to life thought storytelling, drama and music.

You can also book our 'Addressing Hate Crime' workshop and 'Invasion of the Flingatrons' all year round!

For even better value, become a Friend of Gazebo! Big Discounts, Resources, CPD and much more....

See our full programme here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/10ExVIGG73hOMl1ld-2egHUXVKTCZgYt_/view?usp=sharing

Out of School Hours Activities
FREE places available for our weekly Youth Theatre

RAW HAF Activities

We were delighted to return to our regular Wolverhampton venue partner All Saints Action Network, delivering another successful four-day programme funded by City of Wolverhampton Council and the Department for Education.

The HAF programme, introduced nationally in 2021, provides free school holiday provision including meals and enriching activities for children from low-income households—and we are proud to contribute to that mission locally.

Across the week, young people explored a wide range of creative techniques while learning about healthy lifestyles and Deaf awareness.

Across the week the young people created clay fruit and vegetable sculptures, spring daffodil watercolours, graphite observational drawings, cardboard sculptures and wooden birdhouses, learnt BSL and celebrated World Creativity and Innovation Day by making galaxy jars and kinetic Agamographs led by RAW facilitator Jen.

We are incredibly grateful to our dedicated staff, interpreters and volunteers for helping make these programmes possible.

Read the full story here: https://bit.ly/3QGfkF4

For more information contact:
realartsworkshops@gmail.com

South Asian Heritage Month July 2026

Unity in Diversity

A garden full of colour, roots and life. One Community, many voices, many journeys.

A unique way to engage your pupils to celebrate and learn about South Asian Heritage Month, July 2026 (SAHM).

Sohan Kailey (Award Winning Performing Artist) will be providing exciting educational and cultural workshops through the month of July. Learn more about the Arts and Culture and lets go on a journey countries such as India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Mauritius. Explore the festivals, traditions and contributions these nations have made and some of the leading famous figures. An exciting way for your pupils to share their cultural experience from these nations.

Take part in:

Bhangra, Bollywood Dance workshops
Indian Storytelling
Buddhist Mindfulness Meditation
Music, Arts and Culture

Come dressed up in your cultural clothing
And lots more!

Fully immerse yourselves in these colourful, vibrant and dynamic workshops for Primary Schools and Secondary Schools.

To celebrate, educate and commemorate the cultures, histories and identities of South Asian communities, particularly within the UK.

Celebrate your staff, pupils and communities that come from South Asia and to educate other communities and to unite through the arts, storytelling and sharing our experiences and values.

Now taking bookings for SAHM (1st July 2026 - 31st July 2026)

For more information and to book please contact:
Sohan Kailey
07957 338 643
https://www.sohankailey.com/
ozonepr@hotmail.com

The Grand Theatre

We are excited to announce yet another year of our PLAY IN A WEEK and STAGES SUMMER SCHOOL programmes, which will be taking place this summer and we would LOVE for you to get involved!

Each programme allows you to work with industry professionals to not only produce a final performance, but also enhance skills, techniques and confidence when performing.

PLAY IN A WEEK:
A fast-paced, fun-filled week creating and performing a play from scratch!
Dates: Monday 27th – Friday 31st July 2026
Ages: 12 – 17
£130 per person*

STAGES SUMMER SCHOOL:
Two unforgettable weeks of acting, singing, movement, confidence-building, and performance. Experience includes performing with a live band!
Dates: Monday 3rd – Saturday 15th August 2026 (please note that this will be taking place Monday-Friday, except for the final Saturday performance)
Ages: 10 – 17
£400 per person*

A £50 non-refundable deposit must be made to secure the position in the programme. Monthly payment plans of £150 are available and can be discussed with the team on request.
*a £4 booking fee may apply
To book, please contact the Community and Creative Engagement team:
Engagement@grandtheatre.co.uk
or by calling 01902 57 33 20.

We also ask that you complete the following form, which states which programme your child may be interested in participating in, as well as any emergency contact information:

BOOKINGS OPEN NOW
For more information contact:
https://www.grandtheatre.co.uk/summerschool/