#Black Arts Matter - Save The Drum

I took part in a spoken word workshop, being in a room with that type of energy and leadership inspired me to continue down the road I felt I was placed on, In 2005 I performed in an Outreach project with Channel Four at The Drum, due to this I can safely say The Drum has played an integral part of my integrity as an artist and shone a light on the road I could follow and thus now I am about to enter my career which I owe a lot to this space and the opportunities it gave me.

The Drum has been a strong foundation for the local and wider community. Inspiring people of all ages and backgrounds. A fantastic cultural centre that has never been given the credit it deserves. I can't believe the amount of people that have used The Drum either as a member of the audience, a performer or as part of a private function. If all of these people were to contribute something, I believe The Drum can continue to beat.

I am devasted at tge news that a city the size and cultural mix is to lose this venue. We must all work hard and donate to keep the Drum alive. They do excellent work with schools and the wider community.

It is very important to be recognised as a black community

I signed this petition has The Drum as been apart of my community and I have attended functions there.
It's the only cultural place within the inner city and this is the main reason why it should continue to be open.

Because Black arts matter

Because #blackartsmatter

I have visited the drum on many occasions and also have taken the young people that I work with.
It would be a terrible mistake to close this vibrant center down as we don't have anything else in that area. The comedy show, artists etc. Let us all pray that we can find a solution.Pauline and members from Law,Leisure & Learning

Black arts are under represented in birmingham.Our youths need somewhere to express and identify with ourselves.Closing the Drum is a great loss to the community.

My nursery setting, Brearley Nursery have benefitted from this venue. We've taken children to use the hall as it provides an open area that can be used for extending children's learning such as role play, drama and dance. it's also very centrally located and an asset to the community.

Being at drama school in Scotland and seeing the lack of black students studying the arts and being accepted into the arts, it is pivotal that we have these spaces to grow the arts industry and grow the diversity of the arts industry in the UK. So support to keep the Drum and continue to nourish homegrown diverse art!!

Culture is shaped by power. It is a travesty that an organisation that sits at the intersection of economic and cultural marginalisation should shut down. We should be preserving and expanding our black arts institutions, not closing them down.

It is a crying shame that yet another arts organisation is due for closure..... More specifically the Drum.....

We have hired and attended functions at the Drum for a number of events over the years because there is no other venue like it.... Now what will we do? What will we be left with?

With the amount of waste we witness on a daily basis in terms of government spend, for projects that are neither feasible or necesaary, are we seriously being led to believe there is no way that the Drum can be saved ?! I am assuming it is a financial issue as there is no clear reasoning for closure.

The Drum provides employment, arts and entertainment, spaces for hire, exhibition space, collaborative and innovative working opportunities and relationships etc etc etc the list goes on.....

What exactly is the reason for closure? What happened to the plans for refurbishment?

To keep something positive in our community.

Because music venues are important

I am in fact the founding-Chair of the DRUM - a project I first engaged with back in 1993.

I am in fact the founding-Chair of the DRUM - a project I first engaged with back in 1993. Another station of the cross!

I enjoy going to performances at The Drum i write poetry and am currently getting ready to publish my book.The youths need somewhere in the community to express there art and talents without this they have nowhere to go and create amazing posotive projects.Without nothing to do youths can be mislead into negative things and crime.The Drum is a huge part of our community and will be so sad to see it gone.Maybe some fundraising events can be helped to raise money for the fund.

Afro Caribbean/ Africian culture matters and the younger generation needs to know there roots. Otherwise consequently todays generation will only be left with British heritage.

S.elwin this is one of the few places in Birmingham that can offer our youth a creative out let for their talents as well as all generations the opportunity to socialise in class and style and is an attraction both nationally and internationally. Thanks for keeping it open.

Considering I live behind the Drum there has been no poster and not every one uses social media

The Drum should never be in this situation... Long Live The Drum.........

This should not close, as I do go there as well as my daughter Rakia Gayle who does dance classes on Saturdays my daughter has been going there for time and if this closes she will be devastated. Please keep building open please

We need to set good role models for black youth. Creativity is key