Birmingham City University (BCU) is opening its doors to the community for a free day of interactive fun and activities for families and people of all ages. The Inspired Family Day, taking place between 11am and 4pm on Saturday, 11 June 2022, is designed for curious young minds, offering a range of engaging workshops, demonstrations, competitions, and craft and design sessions – all delivered by education and industry professionals at the University’s £62m Parkside building in Birmingham city centre.
The University will welcome partners and organisations, including Warwickshire County Cricket Club, HS2, Acorns Hospice, and Birmingham and Solihull Women’s Aid, to deliver activities, along with national organisation Craftspace, which will be working with children and young people to create handmade gifts which will be given to athletes visiting the city later in the year. The exciting programme includes flag printing workshops, medal making, board game design sessions, paper mural crafting, music workshops, arts and crafts sessions, miniature model making, optical illusions, sporting competitions, sessions designing a high-speed rail route, the chance to be transported to different locations at the University’s professional standard green screen film and TV studio, and an opportunity to experience a construction simulator.
Visitors will also be able to explore some of the University’s £400m facilities as part of the day. In addition, staff from the University’s Faculty of Health Education and Life Sciences will be on hand to demonstrate cutting-edge equipment, including laparoscopy kits and electromyograms. Returning for its fourth year after a two year Covid hiatus, Family Day kicks-off Birmingham City University’s Inspired Festival, an annual event showcasing the amazing talent and creativity of arts, design and media students.
Visitors will be among the first to see this year’s students’ creations, including exhibitions in photography, fashion, jewellery, product design, architecture, art, English and music – and will be offered the chance to take up an art trail throughout the building designed by illustration students. Birmingham City University’s Inspired Family Day also coincides with Birmingham Design Festival, which is presenting workshops and talks across the University’s Parkside building.
Sara Harris, Interim Deputy Dean for the Faculty of Arts, Design and Media at Birmingham City University, said: “We are delighted to once again be welcoming families from our local community to our campus. Family Day is about showcasing what BCU can offer them and to the city and inspiring the next generation of talent in the West Midlands.
“This event is an inspiring creative celebration of what makes BCU unique and encapsulates why we are the University for Birmingham.” Tickets for the Inspired Family Day at Birmingham City University on Saturday 11 June are free and must be booked in advance online.