Three major Lottery awards have been made by Arts Council England for key arts events in the West Midlands.

They include a craft exhibition across the West and the East Midlands, a youth project in Herefordshire and Stratford Music Festival.

Made in the Middle has received a Grants for the arts award of £39,000. The grant is to Craftspace in Birmingham which is organising this exciting, triennial craft exhibition.  For the first time it will feature work from makers from both the East and West Midlands.

This major touring exhibition will launch at mac birmingham in February 2012.

The exhibition, which is free to visitors, will showcase work of all disciplines by contemporary craft makers based in or affiliated to the region. Work will be on sale. Made in the Middle has been developed by Craftspace, which is an independent crafts development organisation based in Birmingham.

Craftspace is well known for their innovative work and exhibition partnerships with venues in the Midlands and other parts of the UK.

Previous Made in the Middle exhibitions have focussed on the West Midlands, so it is a new approach to involve the whole of the Midlands. It will be the seventh Made in the Middle show, and is a partnership between Craftspace and mac birmingham in collaboration with The National Centre for Craft and Design.

The selection of makers for the exhibition has recently taken place and will be announced on Craftspace's website: www.craftspace.co.uk

An award of nearly £38,000 has been made to Herefordshire Council for an arts project involving young people, aged between 11 and 25.

The pilot – named y.Art – will involve a series of contemporary arts projects led by professional artists. It will end with a large-scale evening public performance in Hereford in March 2012 showcasing all the work that has been produced from ten groups.

The project will employ a lead artist and lead designer/technician to guide and oversee the work of six artists who will lead 140 workshop sessions with the young people.

Around 600 individuals are expected to be involved in the project with 300 taking part in the final celebration. They will be recruited from youth centres, skate parks, social housing projects and through publicity activity.

Stratford Music Festival is receiving £17,000.  The festival runs in the town from 15 to 22 October this year.

During the eight days the music will range from contemporary, classical, jazz, folk, world and music played on period instruments. The 2011 Festival seeks to develop new audiences, old and young and give performing opportunities to young artists and composers alongside established musicians.

Ambrose Miller, Artistic Director, said the festival has existed since 1996 and has a reputation for offering a high standard of performances and value for money.

This year's theme is New Lands, New Horizons. It will include work associated with or influenced by a country, rather than the composer's own.

The festival takes place at various venues around the town. For more information visit the website: http://www.stratfordmusicfestival.com/