City institutions back Birmingham’s arts and culture scene

BIRMINGHAM’S most sustainable restaurant is fusing art with food after helping to support the city’s vibrant arts and culture scene.

Opus has been championing Birmingham Museums Trust for the past seven years. The charity manages some of Birmingham’s most loved museums and heritage sites, including Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, Thinktank Science Museums and Aston Hall.

Through its in-kind sponsorship, the Cornwall Street restaurant has hosted some of the UK’s most influential artists and experts, including Bridget Riley, one of Britain’s best-known contemporary artists, and Dr Nicholas Cullinan, Director of the National Portrait Gallery.

Ann Tonks, director of Opus at Cornwall Street and board member for Birmingham Hippodrome, said: “Supporting Birmingham’s art scene is a perfect match for Opus. I’m a great believer that the creative talent in art, dance and drama we have on our doorstep, kick-started the fantastic rejuvenation our city has seen over the past 20 years and helped to create a cultural renaissance. Art also has a real synergy with food, as both are fundamental in the cultural identity of a city.

“Birmingham Museums Trust cares for an internationally important collection of over 800k objects and works of art, and so it seemed like an obvious choice for us to support. Not only have we sponsored the Trust in-kind but we’ve also supported Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery through additional fundraising, such as hosting lunches to raise money for the Staffordshire Hoard. We’ve had a fantastic seven years supporting the Trust so far and we look forward to many more years of collaboration.”

Dr Ellen McAdam, Director at Birmingham Museums Trust, said: “Opus has been a significant supporter of Birmingham Museums Trust and I am personally delighted and very grateful that they have renewed their commitment to in-kind sponsorship for the seventh year running.

“Their generous support provides us with the opportunity to entertain our VIP visitors and partners with first class hospitality and showcase both Opus and Birmingham Museums Trust as an established partnership in the city. Relationships of this kind are very important and I would like to thank Ann and her team for their continuing commitment to working with us in this way.”

The restaurant isn’t the only institution giving its backing to the city’s arts scene.

HSBC is continuing to raise its profile in the city ahead of the arrival of its UK retail bank by sponsoring On The Edge – the world festival of theatre for young audiences, which takes place in Birmingham between July 2 – 9.
 
During the week, the festival will present 16 world-class shows at some of Birmingham’s leading venues including: Birmingham Rep, mac birmingham, Birmingham City University, The Old Rep and the Patrick Centre.  

Hosted and produced by Birmingham Rep, On The Edge is organised by Theatre for Young Audiences UK and Theatre for Young Audiences Ireland.
 
HSBC UK’s head office will be situated across Centenary Square from the Rep, in the new Arena Central development. It is relocating more than 1,000 head office roles from London before 2019 to become one of the biggest employers in the city.
 
Jonathan Byrne, Regional Director at HSBC, said: “We believe that early exposure to theatre can spark the imagination and help build confidence and skills that last a lifetime. HSBC is proud to support this year’s On The Edge festival here in Birmingham, and the young talent, creativity and teamwork it inspires.”
 
As part of its sponsorship, the bank is also encouraging its employees to volunteer during the festival.

Steve Ball, Executive Producer for On The Edge and Associate Director at Birmingham Rep, said: “HSBC’s sponsorship is a positive boost to culture in Birmingham. Their financial support means that the global nature of the festival connects directly and locally with young people and their families across Birmingham and the West Midlands.

“It also signals the start of a longer-term relationship between Birmingham Repertory Theatre and HSBC as they become our neighbours just across the road.”