West Midlands Arts' plan, called Shifting Perspectives, works towards breaking down barriers which prevent BME artists, communities and organisations from experiencing and working in the arts. Action points provide practical steps that actively promote the fundamental principles of race equality.

It is hoped that the Action Plan will also serve as a prompt and model for the Regional Arts Board's clients, partner organisations and other regional agencies to respond to and develop their own working practices.

Through this action plan WMA aims to make positive steps by focusing on five key areas for action:
Infrastructure
Networks/Partnerships and Advocacy
Funding
Professional Development and Training
Monitoring and Evaluation.

At a strategic level West Midlands Arts will work to develop the Birmingham Cultural Forum with Birmingham Race Action Partnership, Birmingham City Council and Sport England; and work with other Local Authorities at a similar level. Links with the Midlands Refugee Council will be built upon. Specific grass roots activity will include bursaries for training, a pool of Mentors who are experienced form fillers to actively assist Black groups in making applications, and a pilot funding scheme to allow for small scale 'risk take' project funding for BME artists, organisations and communities.

Summary leaflets of 'Shifting Perspectives' - Action Plan for Black and Minority Ethnic Arts are available from West Midlands Arts on:
tel 0121 631 3121,
minicom 0121 643 2815.
The leaflet is available in English, Arabic, Bengali, Chinese, Gujerati, Punjabi, Pushto, Somali, Urdu and Vietnamese.