NEW GENERATION ARTS FESTIVAL 2008

The Definitive Platform for the Digital Generation

Already renowned as the vanguard of creative content, the New Generation Arts Festival (NGA) notoriously champions the independent cause of showcasing the brightest emerging graduate talent in the arts world today. Previously supported by a host of celebrities including model Erin O’Connor, social commentator Germaine Greer, comedian Frank Skinner, artist Anthony Gormley and author Philip Pullman, this year the New Generation Arts Festival, organised by Birmingham City University, celebrates youth, diversity and the rise of digital culture.

The topic of this year’s festival is Digital Utopia, where the exploration of the digital theme takes centre stage through a dynamic blend of celebrated talent and hotly tipped emerging artists on the verge of international success. Pushing the boundaries of innovation, 2008 will feature over 35 massive performances, exhibitions and special features including exhilarating collaborations with musician Julian Lloyd Webber, acclaimed digital artist Jane Prophet, applauded curator Mona Casey, and the extravagant up and coming VJ/DJ club collective Project X Presents. The eminent Big Debate, with a panel of renowned guests, will explore whether the digital revolution equals connectivity or just lost content.

A centre piece of the festival is the Mobile Phone Portraiture which seeks to engage the local Birmingham community by inviting them to submit mobile phone pictures of “Life in Birmingham”. The photo gallery will be exhibited on the BBC Big Screens across the city alongside ‘Billboard Narratives’ supported by the Betty Trask winning novelist Nicola Monaghan. By posting storylines on billboards located around the city commuters will be encouraged to contribute their ideas and responses via text message which will be developed by a network of writers, allowing members of the public to fashion their own unique story board.

One of Europe’s largest showcases for graduate talent, the New Generation Arts Festival 2008, organised by Birmingham City University, kicks off on the 5th June and is jam packed with over 16 days of digital art based euphoria. The festival aims to be the ultimate platform for showcasing new graduate talent alongside established names within the framework of the modern digital era – once again reinforcing Birmingham’s status as a centre of culture, creativity and digital innovation.

For further information please contact:
Jem Bahaijoub or Ian Roberts
Zest PR
Tel. 0044 (0)207 734 0206
Jem@zestpr.com / Ian@zestpr.com

Notes to the editor:
Part of Birmingham City University, Birmingham Institute of Art and Design is the largest centre for art, design and media education in the UK outside London. It’s rated as one of the top ten art and design institutions in the country , providing education for over 4,000 students on five major campuses located across the city centre, including the internationally recognised School of Jewellery and the Department of Art. The Institutes state of the art facilities include a Milo motion control rig, the first of its kind in an education establishment. This together with the support of Mario Miniceillo , a nationally recognised Head of Visual Communication , confirms the University’s commitment to provide the best in cutting edge education. Recently awarded Media Skillset Academy status, Birmingham City University is the only University in the region to be awarded this prestigious recognition , reinforcing the University’s commitment to industry led, creative training.

The University’s substantial performing arts provision also includes Birmingham Conservatoire, a specialised music college of international stature which trains musicians to the highest standard in performance and composition and Birmingham School of Acting, one of the UK’s leading vocational drama training schools.
Based in the heart of the city centre only a few minutes’ walk from Symphony Hall, Birmingham Conservatoire has some of the finest performing and teaching facilities of its kind, including the renowned 520-seat Adrian Boult Hall, 150-seat Recital Hall customised for performance with live electronics, six state-of-the-art recording studios and a specialised music library. The Conservatoire educates and trains musicians to professional standards in solo performance, composition, early and chamber music, orchestral playing, jazz, community music and musicology. Additional courses are provided through collaboration with partner faculties and other institutions. Research is focused on the study of music in performance and there is a dedicated Centre for Composition and Performance with Technology. A thriving Junior Department provides tuition in classical music, jazz, chamber music, music of the north Indian subcontinent and A-Level studies for 200+ students aged 3 to 18. Birmingham Conservatoire is a part of Birmingham City University. For further information, visit: www.conservatoire.bcu.ac.uk

Schedule:

Thurs 5th June- Festival Launch Opening Event
Venue: Town Hall, Time: 19.00
Julian Lloyd Webber in conjunction with Michael Wolters/Marcus Dross: ‘The New Guide to Opera: The BBC Six O’Clock News.
Integra performance ‘Ensemble Arts Nova’ + NGAF commission:

5th-20th June- ‘Billboard Narratives’
Venue: Online/ Bill boards Birmingham City Centre

Fri 6-20th June- Jane Prophet: ‘(Trans)Plant: a kinetic sculpture for Birmingham
Venue: Brindley Place, Time 12.30

Sat 6th June – 20th June Jane Prophet: Solo Exhibition
Time: 13.00

Sat 6th June – 20th June Mobile Phone Portraiture
Venue: Selfridges

ART Launch Event Mixed Media Installations
Curated by Mona Casey
Venue: OClub (Central Hall) Time 18.30

Fri 6/Mon 9th-20th June- Project B: Sebilj
Venue: OClub

Fri 6th June- Integra Performance
Venue: Adrian Boult Hall Recital Hall, Time: 22:00

Fri 6-20th June- Launch of Online Collaboration
Creative Writing + Media Including a master class
Venue: online

Sat 7th June- Integra Performance
Venue: ABH/RH/ CBSO? – Adrian Boult Hall, Recital Hall, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Time: 17.00

Sat 7th June- VJ/DJ Night featuring Project X Presents
Venue: OClub, Time: 20.30

Sun 8th June- Integra Performance
Venue: Adrian Boult Hall, Recital Hall

Mon 9th June- Big Debate – Digital Utopia: – connectivity or lost contact?
Venue: International Convention Centre

6th until 20th June- Digital Photography Mixed Exhibition
Venue: Custard Factory

Mon 9-13th June- Bourneville ? Foundation +BA Grad Show

6-15th June- Rapid Proto Type –Jewellery Designer/Maker Exhibition
Time: 18.30 Venue: Baskerville House

6th until 20th June- Digital Photography Mixed Exhibition
Venue: Custard Factory

Mon 9-13th June- Bournville
Foundation +BA Grad Show

6-15th June Rapid Proto Type –Jewellery Designer/Maker Exhibition
Time: 18:30

Tue 10th June Lunchtime recital
Venue: Recital Hall Time: 13:00-14:00

Tue 10th June QPS with BC concerto soloist, Conductor Dan Rosina
Time: 19:30 Venue: Adrian Boult Hall

Wed 11th June National Academy of Writing – End of Year Show
Venue: Recital Hall Time: 5-8pm

Thurs 12th June Musical
Venue: Crescent Theatre Time: 19:30

Thurs 12th June ‘A Thousand and One Nights with The Destroyers’
Venue: Town Hall Time: TBC

Fri 13th June Musical
Venue: Crescent Theatre Time: 19.30

Fri 13th June Jazz
Venue: Symphony Hall Foyer Time: 17:30

Sat 14th June Anthem’, a trilogy of musical films
Venue: Electric Cinema Time: 12.30-2.30pm

Sat 14th June Musical
Venue: Crescent Theatre Time: 19:30

Tue 17th June David Purser & Jonathan Green
Venue: Recital Hall Time: 13.00

18th June Fashion Show

Wed 18th June Composers Ensemble
Venue: Recital Hall Time: 19.30

Wed 18th June The Orpheus Trust with Richard Stilgoe
Venue: Recital Hall Time:13.00

Thurs 19th June Lunchtime Recital
Venue: Recital Hall Time:13:00-14:00

Thurs 19th June Jazz Orchestra with John Hollenbeck
Venue: Adrian Boult Hall Time: 19:30

Fri 20th June Finale concert
Concert: Symphony Orchestra: Messiaen
Conductor Lionel Friend; Piano Soloists: Colin Scott & Rebeca Omordia
Venue: Town Hall Time: 7.30-9.30pm