Culture

Arts

Birmingham has one one of the largest collections of Pre-Raphaelite art in the world at The Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery. Edward Burne-Jones was born in Birmingham.

David Cox was a famous Birmingham watercolour artist and President of the Associated Artists in Water Colour in 1810.

The Barber Institute of Fine Arts is housed in south Birmingham, although only a small gallery it was declared 'Gallery of the Year' by the Good Britain Guide 2004.

The Ikon Gallery is housed in a neo-gothic former school in Brindley Place and showcases modern art. Number 9 The Gallery is close by.

The Halcyon Gallery is located inside the International Convention Centre, with major sale- exhibitions by artists as diverse as Rolf Harris, Mackenzie Thorpe, L.S._Lowry and Birmingham-born Govinder Nazran, who was nominated for the Fine Art Trade Guild's 'Best Selling Artist 2004'.

Graffiti (or "spraycan art") culture appeared in the early 1980s, with the area featuring in Channel 4 documentary Bombing. Birmingham also hosted the largest spraycan art competition in Britain, which brought together Goldie, Bronx Graffiti Supremo Brim, Mode and 3D, who later went on to found Massive Attack. Graffiti events are still held in the Custard Factory and Selly Oak ball park.

The Old Bird's Custard Factory is now one of the largets thriving media and arts villages in Europe, with exhibitions and an array of exciting modern sculpture and water features.

The mac hosts theatre performances, concerts, literature and poetry showcases, courses, film sreenings and art exhibitions.

Comedy

Birmingham has generated some very famous comedians including Sid Field, Tony Hancock, Jasper Carrott, Shazia Mirza and Rick Mayall.

The Glee Club a prominent comedy venue.

Media

Local newspapers include The Birmingham Post, Sunday Mercury and Evening Mail [5] .

The BBC have a regional headquarters which produces many radio and T.V. shows including the BBC Midlands Today news programme. The studios have recently re-located from Pebble Mill to The Mailbox in central Birmingham.

Local radio stations include BRMB, Galaxy, BBC WM and Heart FM.

Theatre

There are many theatres in Birmingham. The three largest professional theatres are the Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham Repertory Theatre and the Birmingham Hippodrome.

Festivals

Birmingham is home to many national, religious and spiritual festivals including a St. George's Day party and the third largest St. Patrick's Day parade in the world, after New York and Dublin.

The Birmingham Tattoo is a military show that has taken place in the city for several years. The Caribbean- style Birmingham Carnival was held in Handsworth Park from 1984, but now takes place in Perry Barr Park. Birmingham Pride takes place in Birmingham's gay village and attracts up to 100,000 visitors each year. The Fierce Festival has teamed up with REP theatre to present an series of quirky performances from local and national companies. The Birmingham Film Festival takes place annually at various venues in the city. It highlights local talent as well as a wide spectrum of international productions. The Young Book Reader UK festival also takes place in the city.

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